Highly, highly recommend adding this to your Cork bucket list! The reading tour is 10 euros; I…read morebelieve the audio tour was 15 euros. We got to tour the prison grounds and learn about life in the prison, all while doing the reading tour. It was very eye opening, but very informative as well.

I know it's unfair to compare this to other jail tours in Ireland but it's really hard not to. The…read morearchitecture was gorgeous but the history was all quite surface level. I do appreciate them trying something different in tackling the stories of the jail and its prisoners.

We were visiting the Butter Museum, which is just next to the Shandon Bell Tower. After visiting…read morethe Butter Museum, we stepped into the church and found that, for a small fee, we could climb to the top of the tower and even ring the bells. The church chapel itself is quite nice, but the climb to the top of tower and the bells was definitely the best bit. We had walked up to the tower and the Butter Museum from the city center and had been hearing the bells ring at random times - which seemed puzzling. It was not until we stepped into the church that we learned the reason. It should be noted that the climb to the bells and the top of the tower is not easy, requiring a few contortions, a ladder, narrow and uneven steps and a narrow stair corridor. If that does not put you off - you will be well rewarded with a great view of the city. The Bells: About half way up the stairs there is a room with eight ropes connected to the bells. There is also a little book next to the ropes showing the order that the bells should be played. No doubt we annoyed the locals by playing several short tunes on the bells.

This review is for the Shandon bells at the St. Anne's church in Cork. I never thought I'd be able…read moreto ring bells at a church, but at St. Anne's you can! This church was super close to the hostel where we stayed, so we heard the bells often (during the day, they only have specific hours you can ring them). They never got annoying or anything, though. Anyway, it's definitely neat to ring the bells! Basically you go in to the church, pay a couple euro (I forget how much, but less than 5 per person I think) and climb one flight of stairs to the bells. You can decide to ring them (there are 8 of them) in a pattern so you play a song (there's a song book w/ numbers) or you can just free-style it. We played a few songs together (my sis, husband and I) and had a blast! Then you get to climb a few more flights of stairs (SUPER narrow/dark staircases that are really vertical), and you climb through an area w/ the bells & up to more stairs that lead to the viewing deck up top. Phew! It's quite a climb, and does get really narrow (so if you're claustrophobic, maybe this isn't the best idea for you), but it's so worth the views of Cork from the top! Be sure and wear the protective ear gear they give you, because those bells are LOUD! Anyway, I was a bit skeptical, but this experience was definitely worth the money & climb :). Check it out if you're in Cork!

THE ELYSIAN You can't miss the Elysian when you are in Cork:…read moreit is the tallest building, with a 17 storey high tower as its focal point. Designed by Wilson Architecture, the Elysian won the Irish Residential Property of the Year Award. Lush planting, water cascades and sculpture are the highlights of the internal gardens designed and built by the same team that built the multiple Gold Award winning Irish garden in the World Expo 90 in Japan. While the building contains hundreds of apartments, there is also some commercial activity here, mainly at the lower levels; included are a medical company and the El Vino's Restaurant. The tower is open to the public only occasionally, the most recent coming during the August Heritage Day.

I think the most interesting thing about Ireland are the ancient relics that are still standing:…read moreeither alone off the beaten path, or alongside more contemporary structures. The Grange Stone Circle in Lough Gur, located in a field off of R512, is the former, and it is definitely worth visiting if you are near Limerick. It is the largest ancient stone circle in Ireland and dates to the late Neolithic/Bronze Age. It had a ritualistic purpose and the center aligns to the sun during the summer solstice. To consider that some of the stones were brought from 3 miles away is just astounding, as is the understanding that this site dates to 2,200 BCE. To think of the ancient peoples that walked here so long ago is certainly astounding! The stone circle is definitely an impressive site to behold! More information can be found here: http://loughgur.com/destination/the-stone-circle/

Bigger around than Stonehenge The diameter of the upright…read morestones is 45 meters (148 feet) The diameter of the capped stones at Stonehenge is 33 meters (108 feet)

We stopped on our way back to the ship at the cathedral to see the beautiful architecture and the…read moreResurrection Angel. It was a rainy day but we could still see the outside of the cathedral. The legend of the Resurrection Angel is the ringing of the trumpets will sound an alert to the people of the imminent end of the world. I wish we had time to go inside but it was a beautiful church.

The Cathedral was designed by Willam Burges and was consecrated in 1870, also the Cathedral is…read moresituated in the centre of Cork City Ireland. It has a striking early French Gothic look to the building with three spires. It has a peel of eight bells and contains some fine carvings. The central doorway is a splendid one depicting the five wise and the five foolish virgins coming to meet the Bridegroom. Many the carvings of the cathedral were casted in plaster before being permitted by the Architect, which were then committed to stone. Architecturally i think its the finest building in the city of cork. I think the cathedral is a real gem for Cork.

It's been far too long since I was in Ireland, and Cork in particular!! I spent many happy hours…read morewandering around the city and up and down the riverside and over all the bridges. I just came across this photo which I took of Patrick's Bridge the last time I was there. It's one of many well known landmarks of the city. The first bridge built in this spot was unfortunately swept away in a flood in 1789 - actually before it was even finished. The bridge was then rebuilt and opened several months later. It was also destroyed by another terrible flood in 1853. A design was then drawn for a brand new stone bridge and then the work was given to Joshua Hargrave - actually the grandson of a man who had helped to build the first bridge. The foundation stone was laid in 1859 and the Mayor of Cork opened the new Patrick's Bridge on the 12th December, 1861. The Bridge was reconstructed and improved in 1981.

There are actually 2 castle's, an old and a new (or newer, its still very old obviously). The herd…read moreof white deer are worth the walk alone, they're beautiful. Don't expect throngs of tourists being herded on and off coaches here, it's not on the tourist trail at all. That's part of its appeal though I think. Recently purchased by Cork County Council that could all change relatively soon. Recommend you see it while you can still have the place all to yourself.

MILLENNIUM GARDENS…read more To commemorate the millennium, the Port of Cork constructed a garden and a short walk at its lands along the river in Tivoli. The walk is quite short with fine river views; it may be extended by walking up the Lower Glanmire Road as far as the new Railway Bridge from where there are fine views of the city. There are two entrances to the facility. Coming from the west, walk through the gate just before the "skew" bridge. Otherwise, use the Silversprings fly-over to access the eastern gate. There is limited car parking there. It is a pleasant spot. Aside, from the river views, you have a variety of shrubs, trees and flowers (hydrangeas and fuchsia are prominent now in late August) and some sculpture. There is no shortage of seats, so you may bring your book or newspaper and give yourself a short break in the fresh air. Enjoyed the stroll today. It is a handy park for residents of the nearby houses and apartments and even guests of Silversprings Hotel and guest houses in the area could well enjoy a walk here.