The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss

When you're in Cork, you'll want to take the chance to visit Blarney, just five miles from Cork and 19 miles from Cobh where the cruise ship is docked. There you'll find the Blarney Castle, home of Ireland's "Crown Jewel" - the Blarney Stone. Take part in a tradition shared by people from all over the world: kissing the Blarney Stone. It's supposed to bestow the gift of eloquence on anyone who does.

Other Fun Things to Do

• Visit City Market, also known as the English Market. Dating back to 1610, the Market provides a colorful insight into local tradition and culture.
• Explore Muckross House and Gardens, an 1843 Elizabethan-style home set in a beautiful national park. Learn about the folklore of County Kerry in the 19th and 20th centuries, and see skilled craftspeople carrying on the traditional work of their predecessors.
• Travel through the Derrynasaggart Mountains toward the Killarney National Park, where the famous lakes and tree-lined shores shimmer against a backdrop of mountain peaks.

Get a Taste of Local Flavor

Traditional Irish cuisine is simple and wholesome. Colcannon is a vegetable dish of diced potatoes fried with onions and covered with cream. Tripe and drisheen are local specialties, the latter being a type of blood sausage. The brown bread is also excellent.

Local Currency

The Euro (EUR), the currency of the European Union, is the official currency of Ireland. Many stores and restaurants also accept major credit cards, which usually offer you a good exchange rate. When shopping, remember there is a Value-Added Tax added to most purchases.

Weather in Cork, Ireland