Till Mueller
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IoM Aug 7-9, Belfast Aug 9-10, all WAW dates shift 1 day earlier. New 06i-wicklow.md: Glendalough, upper lake walk, Powerscourt on drive to Dublin. Cork Aug 27, Wicklow Aug 28-29, Dublin Aug 30 morning. Updated all section date headers, WAW overview table, README.
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Cork
Type: City stop — between Kerry and Dublin Dates: ~Aug 27 (1 night) Recommended stay: 1–2 nights Recommended stay: 2 days Best for: Food scene, rebel history, day trips to Kinsale and Blarney
Why Visit
Cork is Ireland's second city with a well-deserved reputation for food — it has arguably the best eating scene outside Dublin, anchored by the English Market. It's also the gateway to Kinsale (one of Ireland's prettiest towns) and sits on the route northeast to Dublin. Two nights here before the drive to the capital makes for a relaxed finish to the Wild Atlantic Way.
Must-See
- English Market — A covered Victorian food market that has been running since 1788. Butchers, fishmongers, artisan cheese, fresh bread, olives. Cork people are fiercely proud of it — and rightly so. Go in the morning when it's busiest.
- Kinsale — 30 min south of Cork city. A beautifully preserved 17th-century harbour town with brightly painted houses, excellent seafood restaurants, and Charles Fort (a star-shaped fortification on the harbour mouth). One of Ireland's most photogenic towns.
- Blarney Castle — 8km northwest of Cork city. The famous Blarney Stone is here (you lean backwards off a castle parapet to kiss it — tradition says it grants the gift of eloquence). The castle grounds and gardens are worth visiting regardless.
- St Fin Barre's Cathedral — Cork's French Gothic cathedral, completed 1879. Ornate and striking; free to enter.
- Shandon & the Northside — The old hilltop quarter with the famous Shandon Bells tower (you can ring the bells yourself). Good independent cafés and a more local feel than the city centre.
- Butter Museum — Small but fascinating museum about Cork's historic butter trade, which was once the largest in the world. Worth an hour.
Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrive from Kerry, English Market, city walk
Drive from Killarney (~1.5h via N22). Charge on arrival. Morning/lunch: English Market. Afternoon: walk the city — St Fin Barre's Cathedral, Shandon, the quays along the River Lee. Evening: dinner in the city centre (see food notes below).
Day 2 — Kinsale day trip
Drive to Kinsale (30 min). Walk the town, visit Charles Fort, lunch at one of the harbour restaurants. Afternoon: Blarney Castle on the way back to Cork (~20 min from Kinsale via N27). Evening in Cork.
EV Charging
Situation: Good. Cork city is well covered.
- Cork city centre — ESB ecars fast chargers at multiple city car parks including Lavitt's Quay and Mahon Point Retail Park
- Mahon Point (southeast of city) — Tesla Supercharger
- Kinsale — ESB charger in the town car park
- Blarney — ESB charger near the castle car park
Drive to Dublin from Cork (~3h via M8): Charge in Cork before departing. Portlaoise (M7 services) has rapid chargers as a midpoint if needed.
Practical Info
- Workation: Good. The city has solid café wifi — Mantra on Parnell Place and Cork Coffee Roasters on Bridge Street are the picks. Reliable 4G/5G throughout the city.
- Food highlights: Farmgate Café (inside the English Market, upstairs — book ahead), Market Lane, Elbow Lane (craft beer + food), Nash 19 (breakfast/lunch).
- Currency: Euro
- Driving: Left side; city centre is compact and walkable once parked
Onward: Cork → Dublin
~3h drive via M8 motorway. Charge in Cork before leaving. Portlaoise services (M7/M8 junction) has an Ionity rapid charger if needed. Arrive Dublin in time to settle before Aug 30 game day.