These destinations can be reached by train or bus with a travel time of 15-40 minutes. If you choose one of these destinations for your Friday afternoon outing, please plan your trip to be back in time for dinner that evening at 18.00!

Harper’s Island Wetlands (Glounthaune Train Station)

Harper’s Island is an extremely important safe feeding and roosting refuge for many species of wintering waterbirds. The Glounthaune Estuary/Slatty Water complex also supports populations of national importance of Shelduck, Teal, Little Grebe, Golden Plover, Dunlin, Redshank, Greenshank and Black-headed Gull with Harper’s Island supporting significant components of these populations.

Harper’s Island Wetlands has one entrance, two viewing hides and a 2 km nature trail and free public access during its opening hours. 

Harper’s Island Wetlands is about 8 minutes walk by footpath from Glounthaune Train Station, which is on the same rail line as Fota and Cobh (cost is ~€4.40 return).

Trains from Cork Kent Station to Glounthaune leave every 15 minutes, at 12.00, 12.15, 12.30, etc

Trains from Glounthaune to Cork Kent Station leave about every 15 minutes, at 15.25, 15.43, 15.55, 16.13, etc

Fota Arboretum and Gardens (Fota Train Station)

Travel time is ~15 min by train from Cork Kent Train Station to Fota Train Station (cost ~€4.40 return). The arboretum and gardens are a ~15 walk from the Fota Train Station. Fota Train Station is one stop further than Glounthaune Train Station (Harper’s Island Wetlands).

Located in the sheltered harbour of Cork, Fota Arboretum and Gardens are of international renown, with one of the finest collections of rare and tender trees and shrubs grown outdoors in Ireland and Britain. The conifer collection is exceptional, with outstanding examples of Abies, Cryptomeria, Cupressus, Pinus, Picea, Sequoia, Sequoiadendron, some of which were among the first to be planted in Europe.

The name ‘Fota’ derives from the Irish ‘Fód te’, meaning warm soil, and it is these brown earth soils coupled with the mildness of the climate which have allowed the flourishing of many tender plants that cannot be grown outdoors in inland locations in Ireland.

The arboretum and gardens are open from 10.00–17.00, and admission is free.

Trains from Cork Kent to Fota leave every half hour, at 12.00, 12.30, etc

Trains from Fota to Cork Kent leave every half hour, at 16.10, 16.40, etc

Fota Wildlife Park (Fota Train Station)

Travel time is ~15 min by train from Cork Kent Train Station to Fota Train Station (cost ~€4.40 return). The wildlife park is a ~15 walk from the Fota Train Station. 

Fota Wildlife Park is located on 100 acres at Fota Island 10 km east of Cork City and has an annual attendance of approximately 460,000 visitors. It aims to provide the animals it houses with as natural an environment as possible. 

Fota Wildlife Park’s vision is to inspire people to understand and conserve the biodiversity of our natural world. The Park’s core values of conservation, education, and research have ensured that they are uniquely placed to foster greater public understanding of the threats to plant and animal habitats and decreasing global biodiversity.

Cost of admission is €20.90 for adults, €14.40 for children under 16 and €15.60 for students (with valid student card) and Seniors (65+); toddlers up to 36 months old are free. Slightly lower prices are available when booking online. Various family tickets are also available. The Fota Wildlife Park is open from 9.30-18.00.

Trains from Cork Kent to Fota leave every half hour, at 12.00, 12.30, etc

Trains from Fota to Cork Kent leave every half hour, at 16.10, 16.40, etc

Cobh (Cobh Train Station)

Travel time is ~26 min by train from Cork Kent Train Station to Cobh Train Station (cost is ~€6.90 return).

Cork Harbour was famously described as Ireland’s Riviera in the not too distant past. Cork Harbour is the second largest natural Harbour in the World and Cobh is the jewel at its centre. There is a wealth of history that is brought to life through plaques, signs and monuments throughout the town. The greatest monument of all is St Colman’s Cathedral.

Cobh was the last port of call for many ships heading westward across the Atlantic, including the Titanic. The story of Irish Emigration is told at the Cobh Heritage Centre, and the story of the Titanic at the Titanic Experience.

Trains from Cork Kent to Cobh leave every half hour, at 12.00, 12.30, etc

Trains from Cobh to Cork Kent leave every half hour, at 16.00, 16.30, etc

Blarney Castle (215 bus)

Travel time is ~40 min on the 215 bus to Blarney, which you can catch from the Infirmary Road stop very near the College. The cost is ~€6–9.

Blarney Castle was built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftans, Cormac MacCarthy. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney, making it a world landmark and one of Ireland’s greatest treasures. Legend has it that the Blarney Stone, found at the top of a tower, gives the gift of eloquence – kiss it and you’ll never again be lost for words. The Castle is surrounded by extensive themed gardens.

The 215 bus leaves the Infirmary Road stop at 12.23, 12.53, 13.23 etc.

The 215 bus from Blarney (Station Cross)  to Cork leaves about every half hour, at 16.30, 17.10, 17.39 etc. You should get off at the Cork City Hall stop. From there, it is no more than a 10 minute walk to the College.

Kinsale (226 bus)

Travel time is ~50 min on the 226 bus from Cork City Hall (about a 10 minute walk from the College) to Kinsale. The cost is €7–11.

Kinsale is a vibrant coastal town with a stunning harbour, known for its colourful streetscapes and rich history. Compass Hill, a ~15 min walk from Kinsale Town offers an easy half-hour loop walk above the town, which has lovely views of Kinsale from above. Another popular 6km cliff walk wrapping around Kinsale harbour is the Scilly Walk, whose start is  ~20 min from Kinsale town on foot. The Scilly Walk offers beautiful views of the harbour and the historic sites of James Fort and Charles Fort, as well as good opportunities to spot sea birds, seals and sometimes even pods of dolphins.

The 226 bus leaves the  City Hall stop at 11.56, 12.56 etc

The 226 bus leaves Kinsale for  Cork at 16.00, 17.00, etc. You should plan on catching the 17.00 bus at latest and get off at the Cork City Hall stop. From there, it is no more than a 10 minute walk to the College.