BEST LVII April 2019

Cork,

The City of (Corcaigh in Irish) is the 2nd largest city in the . Ireland's fun-loving, independent-minded city is known to locals, only half-jokingly, as 'the real capital'. Built on a series of islands this ancient merchant city is steeped in maritime history and has a rich artistic culture. With a thriving foodie and craft beer scene, there are friendly pubs and an artisan coffee bar on nearly every corner. Cork is a great place to relax, unwind and soak up the atmosphere. In almost every corner of , there is something unique to discover, from in the east to the vintage towns and villages in the west along with the bustling, merchant city and it's stunning harbor. the Radisson or GETTING TO CORK transfer to the local train to Little Island. BY AIR Cork (ORK) is located just 15km from By Bus: Bus Éireann the Radisson BLU, Little Island. Note that (the national public there is another Radisson BLU located bus service) departs near the airport. Cork Bus and taxi directly from DUB to services are available just outside the Cork City Centre. Trip arrivals area. offers direct is about 4 hours and is flights from almost 50 destinations less than €16 each around Europe and a direct way. Taxi to Radisson transatlantic flight to North America. BLU is approximately 10-15 minutes from Dublin (DUB) If you are flying into the Bus Station. Dublin, you have several options to get to Cork. By Car: Cork is linked By Train: There is no direct train to Dublin via the M8 service from the airport. You must motorway and takes take the Airlink Express (Route 747) just over 2.5 hours. to the Heuston Train Station. Then Complimentary take a high-speed train to Cork Kent parking is available for Station. You can then either taxi to guests of the hotel.

Bus Éireann offers direct service from Dublin Radisson BLU Address Airport to Cork City Ditchley House - Little Island Little Island Business Park IE Cork Centre GPS Coordinates GPS: 51.905943, -8.357248 ARRIVING BY SEA

The Cork Ferry Terminal is located 15km from Cork City Centre, and offers easy access to and from mainland Europe. Brittany Ferries operate daily services between Cork-Roscoff (France) and Cork- Santander in (Spain).

Cork is also accessible via ferry from Rosslare and Dublin. Both ports offer daily services between Ireland-UK and are just a 3-hour drive away via car/ bus. Operators at these ports include Irish Ferries, Stenaline and P&O Ferries.

Visit: http://www.brittanyferriesfreight.co.uk https://www.irishferries.com https://www.stenaline.ie http://www.poferries.com

Venue Address: 777 Bis Pont de Flandres, Lille, France 59777

See the following pages for recommended sights to see while in County Cork!

ENGLIGH MARKET

Trading since 1788 the current THE ENGLISH mix of traders in the English Market represents a diversity as MARKET CORK broad as at any time over the HAS ENTRANCES centuries of it's existence and is an essential item on any visitor's ON PRINCES agenda – even the Queen of England stopped off here in May STREET, PATRICK 2011.

STREET, THE Meats and fish, herbs and GRAND PARADE, spices, fruit and vegetables, sauces and oils, chocolates and NEW MARKET cakes, cheeses and pastas – the Market caters for all culinary LANE AND tastes and all eating occasions!!

MUTTON LANE. IT You'll also find crockery, t-shirts, novelty items, clothes alterations and art – an IS A COVERED eclectic mix itself creating a diversity of customers, adding further to the unique atmosphere of the English Market. MARKET Having experienced the sights, sounds and smells of the Market, customers can SUPPLYING MAINLY unwind and sample its tastes and enjoy the banter from the various café's, deli's FOOD & PRODUCE and food plates from the atypical stalls. SHANDON BELLS & TOWER Located on the north side of Cork City the tower known more formally as the Church of St. Anne’s is the most famous landmark in the county. Shandon or Sean dún in Irish, means 'old fort'. It is 170 feet in height with walls 7ft. thick. The present 'pepper pot' shaped tower was built in 1722. Enjoy the unique experience of ringing the Shandon Bells from the first floor. Then climb the 132 steps to see spectacular 360 degree views of the city.Finally, view the internal workings of the clocks, the ‘Four Faced Liar’ and see the 18th-century bells in the belfry. It is easy to find-look for the gold fish atop the weathervane!

ST. FIN BARRE’S CATHEDRAL

Cork's Gothic Cathedral, Saint Fin Barre's is built on the site where the city of Cork began. A monastery was founded here by St. Fin Barre, the patron saint of Cork, in the seventh century. According to tradition, he travelled from his island hermitage at at the source of the to found what was to become the 'School of Cork', a site of Christian worship and teaching. That tradition of Christian worship has continued unbroken for over fourteen centuries and the settlements around the monastery grew into the city of Cork. Regarded as the first Bishop of Cork, Fin Barre's name in Irish, Fionnbarr means 'fair headed'.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK (UCC)

UNIVERSITY Set on 42 acres of wooded ground, UCC is only a 10 minute walk from Cork City Centre., The university was founded in 1845 as one of three Queen’s Colleges located in Belfast, COLLEGE Cork, and Galway. It became University College, Cork, under the Irish Universities Act of 1908. The Universities Act 1997 renamed the university as National University of Ireland, CORK IS Cork, and a Ministerial Order of 1998 renamed the university as University College Cork – National University of Ireland, Cork, though it continues to be almost universally known as IRELAND’S University College Cork.

FIRST 5-STAR UCC's campus is full of many interesting buildings and features. From the Lewis Glucksman Gallery in the Lower Grounds to the Stone Corridor of the Main Quadrangle to UNIVERSITY the Crawford Observatory, UCC is a great place to spend a few hours. THE VISITOR Suggested places to visit include: CENTRE’S • Lewis Glucksman Gallery • President's Garden HOURS ARE: • Stone Corridor • Crawford Observatory MON - FRI: UCC Visitors' Centre is along the Stone Corridor 9AM-5PM in the North Wing and is in the centre of the University Main Quadrangle. Audio tours are SAT: available for purchase and the centre stocks a large range of UCC official merchandise. 12PM-5PM

TITANIC EXPERIENCE

Titanic Experience is located in Casement Square in the heart of Cobh Town. DID YOU It is the home of the original White Star Line Ticket Office, a building steeped in history dating back to the early 19th century and the departure point for many SURVIVE? THE thousands of White Star Line passengers. When you arrive, check-in at reception FINAL ELEMENT and let them tell you the story of those 123 passengers. OF THE Upon check-in you will receive your boarding card. Your boarding card will have the details of one of the 123 passengers who came to the White Star Line Ticket EXPERIENCE IS Office on Thursday April 11, 1912. These were the final passengers to join Titanic at her last port of call in Queenstown, Ireland. (Cobh was renamed Queenstown LOCATED IN THE from the period of 1849-1921 in honor of Queen Victoria's visit to Cobh. STORY ROOM, Your personal tour-guide will take you on a virtual journey to board the tenders and WHERE YOU join Titanic for her maiden voyage to New York. Along this journey you will WILL LEARN THE view the original pier also known as Heartbreak Pier, FATE OF YOU AS which was the last point of l a n d c o n t a c t f o r t h e A PASSENGER Queenstown passengers.

AND ALL THE During your visit, you will experience life aboard Titanic and learn a little about the conditions on board for OTHER third and first class passengers.

QUEENSTOWN When disaster strikes, you will experience the chill of the sinking, through a unique PASSENGERS. cinematographic experience.

SPIKE ISLAND

SPIKE ISLAND Located on a small island in the middle of , visitors travel by ferry from Cobh to the attraction and discover Spike’s long and often dark history as a WAS CROWNED fortress and prison.

EUROPE’S In the last 1300 years, Spike Island has been host to a 6th-century Monastery, a 24-acre fortress, the largest convict depot in the world in Victorian times and NUMBER ONE centuries of island homes. The island's rich history has included monks and TOURIST monasteries, rioters and redcoats, captains and convicts, sinners and saints. ATTRACTION AT Today the island is dominated by the 200 year old Fort Mitchel, the star shaped Fortress which became a prison holding over 2300 prisoners. Take the scenic THE WORLD ferry ride from Kennedy Pier, Cobh, and enjoy a fully guided tour of our island and fortress, and relax in our cafe and picnic areas. Get captured in the history and TRAVEL mystery of this heritage island. AWARDS 2017, Be sure to hear the story of the famous inmate “Jack in AN EVENT the Box.” KNOWN AS THE The major tourist sites give high ratings for this, and ‘OSCARS’ OF highly recommend the guided THE TRAVEL tour. INDUSTRY.

KINSALE

Originally a medieval fishing port, CHARLES FORT historic (from the Irish, Ceann tSaile – ‘Head of the Sea’) is one of the IS ONE OF THE most picturesque, popular and historic FINEST towns on the south west coast of Ireland. It is just 25km from Cork. SURVIVING Visitors to Kinsale are captivated by its EXAMPLES OF A beautiful setting; its long waterfront, 17TH CENTURY yacht-filled harbour, narrow winding streets and brightly painted galleries, STAR-SHAPED shops and houses. The impressive fortifications of Charles Fort and James FORT, AND Fort guard the narrow entrance from the sea – giving clues to its rich history. There are MUCH OF THE a number of guided walking tours (including an evening Ghost Tour!) available and CONSTRUCTION plenty of information at the Kinsale Tourist Office in the centre of the town. The Old Head of Kinsale Golf Links has become a world class golf destination, Kinsale BEGUN IN 1678 Yacht Club hosts many international sailing events and the accessibility to the water REMAINS. THE ensures Kinsale is a popular marine activities hub with deep sea angling, scuba diving, boat hire, fishing, kayaking, climbing and abseiling – appealing to adventure travellers FORT of all ages.

CONTINUED IN Not only does Kinsale claim to be one of the most picturesque and oldest towns in MILITARY USE Ireland, it is also internationally renowned for the number and quality of its restaurants. It has been hailed as ‘The Gourmet Capital of Ireland’, with no shortage of cafés, pubs UNTIL 1922. and restaurants to suit every taste and budget.

WILD ATLANTIC WAY

The southern starting point for the is just a 30-minutes drive from Cork City 2500 KM OF in Kinsale.

COASTLINE The Wild Atlantic Way winds its way south-west from Kinsale on to , over to past Roaring Water Bay and the Islands, then up to dreamy Bay and OFFER Sheep’s Head peninsula before turning west around the and up into Kenmare LASTING in . There are stories and history at every turn for this MEMORIES OF is an ancient land. Stroll in coastal forts and stone SENSATIONAL circles, visit a storytelling festival on an Irish speaking island or stay in an old lighthouse SCENERY. overlooking the Wild Atlantic. On your way, you’ll see cosy harbors, secluded inlets, picturesque islands, secret coves and beautiful blue-flag beaches with pristine water and golden sand.

Kayak on a saltwater lake glimmering with phosphorescence under a full moon, kitesurf over the top of waves under the Atlantic sun, or relax on a quay wall and watch sailboats slip by with a plate of freshly caught seafood. CASTLE & GARDENS

Only a short 20-25 minute journey north west from Cork city, Blarney is a pretty town TO KISS THE that has grown up around one of the world's greatest legends: the famous Blarney , Stone. was built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland's greatest ONE HAS TO chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy, and has been attracting attention beyond Munster ever since. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney, making it a LEAN world landmark and one of Ireland's greatest treasures.

BACKWARDS For over 200 years, world statesmen, literary giants, and legends of the silver screen have joined the millions of pilgrims climbing the steps to kiss the Blarney Stone and (HOLDING ON TO gain the gift of eloquence. Its powers are unquestioned but its story still creates AN IRON RAILING) debate. FROM THE There are those who think that you come to Blarney Castle only to see the Stone. But most leave knowing that the Blarney Stone is only a part of our attraction. These PARAPET WALK. include Badger’s Cave, the Dungeon, the Witch Stone, the Wishing Steps, the Lake and the Rock Close. THE PRIZE IS THE Take the time to make a journey through the Blarney Castrle Gardnes where there are GIFT OF diverse surroundings from tranquil to serene, to mystical and magical places. Find a touch of danger entwined with the beauty, as you look out for one of the few Poison ELOQUENCE Gardens in Ireland. The beauty is ever changing with the seasons, so that no two visits will ever be the same. OTHER CASTLES

There are dozens of ancient castles sprinkled across Ireland’s lush, green countryside in various states of ruin. If you jump in a rental car and start driving, chances are you’ll find one. The trick is deciding which ones to see. These 6 nearby Irish castles will sate your curiosity for all things medieval … and let loose your inner child. Don’t forget your sword!

CIT Observatory (Cork City) (Kinsale) Baltimore Castle (Baltimore) Barryscourt () Castle (Kanturk) Mallow Castle (Mallow)

It is worthwhile to check distance, reviews and recommendations prior to making plans.

If you don’t have time for much exploring and have only a few hours, we suggest the Hop- on & Hop-off sight seeing tour which drives around the city of Cork in about 1.5 hours time. Ticket is good for 24 hours, and can be purchased from the bus driver. Fares are 15€ for adults, 13€ for students & seniors, 5€ for children under 16, and 35€ for family of 2 adults and 2 children. Visit www.corkcitytours.com for more details.

VISIT www.purecork.ie FOR MORE INFORMATION