Best Arts and Culture Places in Kinsale

"The Crawford Art Gallery is housed in Cork’s former Custom House – an imposing red-brick structure erected in 1724 and a welcome juxtaposition to the modern glass façade of Cork Opera House next door. The building has been augmented many times since, with the most recent extension in 2000 – designed by Dutch architect Erick van Egeraat – bringing an additional exhibition wing for modern art. The impressive permanent collection gives a visual insight into themes that trace the city’s biography, from the life of a ‘merchant prince’ in 18th-century Cork to famine and emigration."

"The Crawford Art Gallery, just beside the Opera House, houses a wide array of art, from classical paintings to video installations, presented in beautiful surroundings. Fresh visiting exhibits rotate frequently, and the permanent collection is anchored by a selection of Greek and Roman sculpture casts. The on-site café, surrounded by a selection of the gallery’s artworks, is an ideal spot for recharging with a light lunch or tea and cake on vintage china."

"Another UCC building, the sleek Lewis Glucksman Gallery, designed by Irish architects O’Donnell + Tuomey, is one of Cork’s newest buildings and one of the most widely praised, having earned many accolades since being added to the campus in 2004. As well as being named Ireland’s Best Public Building in 2005, its architecture also won a UK Civic Trust award, a RIBA award and was shortlisted for the Royal Institute of British Architects Stirling Prize. The wood-covered gallery building was designed to fit seamlessly in with its sylvan surroundings."

"Lewis Glucksman Gallery|© Lewis Glucksman Gallery/WikiCommons. Nestled at the edge of the University College Cork campus, the Lewis Glucksman Gallery is a recent addition to Cork’s gallery scene. Opened in 2004, the gallery is named after its benefactor, Dr Lewis Glucksman."

"The Michael Collins Centre, located at Castleview, Clonakilty, West Cork displays an audio/ visual of Michael Collins (the Big Fella’s) childhood, his family history, his school days and the important Collins’ sites around Clonakilty. A guide then continues the presentation, using slides, large photographs or film clips, the visitor is taken through the 1916 rebellion, War of Independence, Treaty talks and the Civil War. The tragic death of Michael Collins at Beal Na Blath and his Legacy are also discussed."

"This Heritage Centre contains photographs and a military exhibition in a cottage theatre. Outside the centre, an ambush trail is laid out, a one hundred meter section of road designed to look like a War of Independence/Civil War ambush site. For the visitor who wants to stand on the spot where history was made, they also offer the Michael Collins Tour, visiting all the important sites in the area."

"St. Peter's Cork is one of Cork's oldest standing churches on one of Cork's oldest streets, North Main Street. The history of St. Peter's dates back to 1270's. Reopened in 2016 as Cork's Centre Of Commemoration for Ireland's 1916 Centenary Programme, St. Peter's is a free tourist attraction and exhibition space in Cork City Centre."

"St. Peter’s is a free tourist attraction in the heart of Cork city. With a full programme of arts and entertainment it’s a must see attraction for both tourists and locals."

"Supporting local contemporary arts and crafts, the Lavit Gallery is among Cork’s longest-established independent galleries. Located on Father Matthew Street just off the South Mall, the gallery spreads over two floors and showcases a variety of work, from landscape paintings to prints to ceramics. It is owned by the Cork Arts Society, and once a year, the gallery hosts their annual exhibition."

"The Lavit Gallery, for over 50 years, has been promoting and selling the work of local, national, and international artists, here in Cork City."

"Pay a visit to the Toy Soldier Factory in Macroom to see the world's largest Battle of Waterloo exhibit with over 15,000 hand cast figures, their impressive Lord of the Rings model collection and attend one of their workshops where you can cast and paint your very own model to take home. You can also take part in their interactive tour where you'll learn how to pour metal into their spin casting machines."

"The Toy Soldier Factory houses the world’s largest collection of Lord of the Rings figurines, and your child can even try their hand at making their own in an interactive workshop. The perfect fun thing to do in Cork with kids if you have any budding artists on your hands!. Address: Kilnamartyra, Macroom, Co."

"Wandesford Quay Clarkes Bridge, Cork Ireland+353 21 432 2422[email protected]. Cork Printmakers fine art printmaking studio is a membership based artist resource, providing the space, facilities, equipment, tools and materials necessary for artists to create work through the medium of printmaking. It offers facilities in etching, photo-intaglio, screen-printing, lithography and relief printing."

"Having already won the hearts of Dubliners with their outlets on Dame Street and in Rathmines, Umi Falafel opened their first branch outside the capital earlier this year, on Academy Street in Cork. Their handmade falafel, cooked in low-fat rapeseed oil, is the centrepiece of the menu – you can get it in a sandwich of Palestinian pocket bread or a wrap, or you can try some falafel ‘bites’, either plain or stuffed with mozzarella cheese. These are best accompanied by something from their tempting mezze menu, or one of an array of healthy, freshly prepared salads."

"With branches in both Dublin and Belfast, if you’re looking for an authentic falafel experience then look no further than Umi Falafel. Umi is Arabic for “mother” and thus gives an indication of the care put into each order placed in the restaurant. Falafels are freshly made before your eyes and are made from a combination of 15 healthy and natural ingredients."

"I didn’t make it to Umi Falafel but according to HappyCow, they have plenty of options!. There’s also a location in Dublin and Belfast. ESSENTIAL INFOAddress //11/12 Academy St, Centre, Cork Hours // 12-9 Website // www.umifalafel.ie"

"Cafe Gusto is another spot that’s said to dish out some of the best brunch Cork has to offer. It was established in 1999 and was once the famous O’Brien coffee shop that operated since 1941. The creative force behind the cafe, Marianne, had travelled extensively around the world before returning to Cork in1998."

"Although it’s open for lunch and dinner, it’s the breakfast that has the X-Factor. Popular among locals and visitors alike, this place bangs out a breakfast that’ll make your belly very happy. If you don’t fancy one of their famous fry-ups, don’t worry."

"For those with a sweet tooth, Lab 82 is the place for you when visiting Cork city. With six different types of pancakes on their menu, ranging from American style pancakes with streaky bacon and maple syrup to kinder bueno pancakes stacked with chocolatey goodness, there is something for all pancake lovers!. As if that is not enough, since opening in 2018 they have gone on to win awards for the Best Coffee in the Best of Cork Awards 2019."

"Situated next to Kilconman Marsh and the Old Head of Kinsale is this hidden gem. The white sands beach has numerous grassy dunes and rocky cliffs on either side of the beach. A public car park and toilet facilities are close by and during bathing season, there is a lifeguard."

"Myrtleville is one of the most popular beaches near Cork City, and for good reason. One of the best reasons to visit this beach is the opportunity to see some seals (from afar!)!. Myrtleville is another another popular beach due to its location though it doesn’t tend to be as crowded as Fountainstown Beach (it’s smaller in size, too)."