Guest post-Top Three Attractions in Cork

Cork is a city steeped in history, with beautiful surrounding countryside and historic pubs and restaurants just waiting to be discovered. You can stay here for just a few days, a week or longer, and still never run out of things to do. Our top three attractions in Cork are:

The English Market

Ireland's most famous covered food market and open since 1788, The English Market is top of the list when it comes to places to visit in Cork. A great combination of traditional local fare and foods from further afield can be found here. You can buy olives, balsamic vinegar and foccacia along with more traditional items like tripe, crubeens and salted ling, all under one roof. It's a very trendy place to shop, drawing outsiders and holidaymakers from far and wide - but at the same time families have been shopping here for generations. You'll find everything you need here for a picnic lunch or a hearty meal.

Cork City Gaol

This ancient castle like prison was once home to Cork's prisoners and visitors to the gaol are transported back to the 19th century. As you wander the wings of the gaol you can imagine what it was like for the inmates incarcerated there. With a unique audio accompanying the tour, original graffiti remaining in the cells and lifelike wax figures, it's a fascinating day out. You can even visit at night on a ghost tour and discover more about the hauntings that are said to take place here.

Shandon Bells

At St Anne's Church in the centre of Cork, you get to experience the church in a more hands on way than you would any other. Here you can view the internal workings of the clock interestingly named the 'four faced liar', ring the bells and experience stunning 360 degree views from the balcony of the Shandon Bells Tower.

Cork is a wonderful city to visit, so book a room in the Travelodge in Cork city centre and experience all it has to offer for yourself.