Ireland is a fantastic place to be in the winter time. That is why every year, people from all over the world come to the Emerald Isle for a visit. 

Ireland has so much to offer its tourists in the winter months, all over the country. 

One place tourists should always visit when they come to Ireland is Cork. The city is located in the south of the country and has so much to offer its visitors. 

Despite not being quite as big as Dublin, there is still an abundance of reasons why coming to Cork is worthwhile. Whether your area of interest is history, nightlife or culture, Cork has you covered. 

Winter is one of the best times to make the trip to Cork. With a great atmosphere and plenty to do, there is no doubt you won’t forget this experience anytime soon. 

Christmas Markets in Cork

The city of Cork loves to make the most out of the weeks preceding Christmas. Thanks to this, there are plenty of Christmas market options for tourists in Cork. 

You will not be short for choice when it comes to festivities in the south of Ireland. Some of the Christmas markets you can check out include the following: 

Cobh Early Bird Christmas Craft Fair

Starting on November 19th, the town of Cobh is hosting a Christmas Craft Fair that has fun for all ages. The fair includes great food, performances and arts and crafts for all to enjoy. 

This can be a great occasion for families and couples who are looking to visit Cork this winter.

The Marina Market

The Marina Market is Cork’s largest indoor and outdoor market. They will begin their festivities on November 24th with their Christmas market. 

The market will include food and drink, crafts and live music. Not to mention that the market is dog friendly!

The Marina Market is anticipated by Cork locals every week, making it a must on your to-do list when visiting the Irish city.

Solas

Solas looks to create a festive and warm atmosphere in Cork City this Christmas. The public lighting installation will take place on Emmet Place and is definitely worthwhile to check out for anyone visiting Cork. 

The light features in Solas will also be accompanied by various forms of entertainment and will begin on November 24th.

Ferris Wheel

The Ferris Wheel in the heart of Cork acts as a centrepiece to the amazing Christmas atmosphere in the city. Starting from the 24th of November, it is an exciting addition to the Irish festivities. 

You can find the Ferris Wheel located on Grand Parade with prices for the wheel being €4 for a regular ticket and €3.50 for a junior ticket. 

Other winter activities in Cork

Christmas markets are not the only option you have when it comes to visiting Cork in the winter. Cork has so much to offer to all, including the following:

Fota Wildlife Park

Fota Wildlife Park is Ireland’s biggest wildlife park and offers a really unique experience. 

Located on Fota Island, animals wander free throughout the park for a refreshing and immersive experience. 

During the winter time, opening times are as normal. The only exception to this is the park being closed on the 24th, 25th and 26th of December. 

Just make sure to wear warm clothes when visiting the park as temperatures are likely to be below 10 degrees during the winter.

Blarney Castle

Blarney Castle is an important part of Cork. This is why it is a must visit for any tourists. Even in the winter, the surrounding gardens are beautiful and the castle offers amazing views. 

Not to mention kissing the Blarney Stone is something that is on a lot of people’s bucket list.

Shopping

If you love to go shopping whilst on your travels, then Cork has you covered. The city centre of Cork has a great choice when it comes to shopping. 

Some of the go-to places in Cork City include; Opera Lane, Merchant’s Quay Shopping Centre and Oliver Plunkett Street.

Visit Kinsale

Kinsale is roughly just a 30 minute journey from the centre of Cork and is one of the most picturesque towns in Ireland. The seaside town offers a great visit during the winter months and is worth the trip.

Food in Cork

Unfortunately in Ireland, you can’t rely too heavily on getting good weather. Especially if you are visiting Cork in the winter, you need to make sure you are spending a lot of time indoors. 

Luckily enough, there are some really fantastic restaurants and cafes in Cork for you to visit. In truth, you could spend your whole trip just eating great food and having some drinks in Cork and you wouldn’t regret it. 

Cork is often considered to be the food capital of Ireland, so you are by no means short of options. This also makes Cork a must visit for any foodies heading to Ireland for the first time. 

In regard to restaurants, some places you might want to check out include Jacobs on the Mall, The Glass Curtain and Quinlans Seafood Bar Cork. These are just some of the amazing restaurants Cork City has to offer. 

If you are looking for somewhere in Cork to enjoy breakfast, then some great options include; Ali’s Kitchen, Cafe Spresso and The Farmgate Cafe. Any of these options will definitely get you off to the best start possible for your day in Cork. 

For some lunchtime options, Cork has plenty to offer. Some of the best lunch picks include Bocelli Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, Liberty Grill and Market Lane. 

Cork can definitely get very cold in winter too. This means that it is likely you will look for a place to enjoy some coffee, tea or hot chocolate. 

Some of the best places to get hot beverages in Cork include; SOMA Coffee Company, Guji and Good Day Deli. 

For a first time visit to Cork, you should definitely add some food items to your to-do list. Some of the best options you can find in Cork are fish and chips, local farmhouse cheese and smoked salmon.

Drink in Cork

There is definitely no denying that drinking is a massive part of the culture in Ireland. You may not be surprised to hear that Cork is no exception to this. 

Having a couple of drinks while visiting Cork is a must-do for any beer, wine or spirit lovers!

Any tourists visiting Cork should also make sure to get a pint of Murphy’s stout on their travels. For locals in Cork, it is often much preferred over Guinness. 

If you are someone who is fond of whiskey, then some must tries in Cork include Tullamore Dew, Jameson and Midleton. 

If you are looking to have a couple of drinks on your visit to Cork, make sure you check out pubs like The Shelbourne Bar, Mutton Lane Inn and the Crane Lane Theatre. 

Cork also has a great music scene. This means a lot of the pubs you visit will likely have some fantastic live performances. 

Some of the best pubs in Cork that regularly feature live music include Coughlan’s, The Corner House and Rearden’s Bar. 

Again, there are loads of great options when it comes to pubs and bars in Cork City. It is definitely worth spending some time strolling around the city centre and seeing what ones catch your eye!

Late Night Entertainment

The entertainment in Cork by no means stops after dark. In the wintertime, your fun can definitely carry on throughout the night. 

One really good option for people looking to have a good time in Cork is to visit one of our late night casinos. Premier Casinos have 4 locations in Cork:

Find out why premier casinos are considered the best casinos in Ireland. Play all your favourite casino games from roulette, slot machines, and the famous jackpot.

Premier Casinos allows players to enjoy many gaming options, including blackjack, slots, video games and much more. With a fantastic interior and excellent customer service, this is a great place to spend your time during the cold winter nights in Ireland. 

We pride ourselves on providing one of the best experiences in a casino Ireland has to offer. So if you’re a fan of casino games, be sure to come and visit us!

Our casino Cork plays host to is open from 10am to 2am, seven days a week. This means that whenever you are coming to visit this winter, we are happy to accommodate you. 

For the best late night entertainment in Cork, experience the best casino in Cork today.

Gamble Responsibly

At Premier Casinos, we promote a safe and responsible approach to gambling. Having fun and enjoying the excitement is part of the experience, but we do recommend remaining responsible while you play. 

When gambling, great experiences can take a turn when you are not responsible. This is why we want to do everything we can to keep your experience enjoyable. 

Set limits, take breaks and only play with the purpose of fun in mind. It is also important to avoid excessive consumption of alcohol prior to gambling. 

Only gamble with money you feel comfortable with spending. Gambling with the purpose of making money can at times ruin your experience, so setting prior limits is often a good idea. 

It is also important to not chase losses when you play. 

If you have any queries regarding gambling responsibly, a member of our team would be happy to help you.

For other fun activities in Ireland why not check out our other blogs:

Try Our Other Locations

LOCATION

Cork City Centre (North Main Street)

Try our other Cork City Centre casino location on North Main Street, walking distance from the Leeside Leisure casino.

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Cork City Leeside Leisure

Leeside Leisure in Cork City has been a part of the cities nightlife since the 1970’s. See why we are Corks favourite Casino.

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Clondalkin, Dublin

Clondalkin is home to premier casinos Dublin location. If you are visiting Dublin make sure to visit us for a chance to win big.

LOCATION

Kinsale, Cork

Since 2015 our Kinsale casino has been a staple of the town with its wide range of gaming machines including roulette, slots and video games. It’s a relaxed and friendly location for your entertainment purposes. Pier Leisure is the newest Premier Casino location and offers all the late night entertainment you expect from premier casino.

LOCATION

Tralee, Kerry

Located on the town’s central Russell Street, it’s a well-established part of this busy tourism and business town.Just a short walk from the well-known Kirby’s Brogue Inn it is set up to avail of all the town’s amenities, including shops, cafes, restaurants and public parking.