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Plan your Cork Hen Weekend

For a hen party filled with Irish charm then visit Cork, where you will experience Irish hospitality at its best.

Cork is Ireland’s second largest city with around 120,000 inhabitants. The city is located in the South-West Region of Ireland and sits on the River Lee. Whether you want to live it up in the city of Cork, or take in the stunning beaches and coastline of the county, there is plenty to keep you and your girls entertained on your hen weekend.

Cork, like Dublin, is known for its beautiful architecture. Cork’s most famous building, which dominates the north of the city, is the church tower of Shandon. To get an overview of the history of the city, head over to the Cork City Gaol – the magnificent castle-like building will take you back to the 19th century. Also worth a visit is the City Hall, a beautiful building built of limestone. The current building replaces the previous town hall that was destroyed in December 1920 during ‘The Burning of Cork’ by the British Army – the new building was paid for by the British government as compensation. A picnic in Fitzgerald Park to the west of the city makes the most of this beautiful spot, and the grounds of University College Cork through which the River Lee flows are also a lovely spot for a wander.

If you get a chance you should definitely visit Blarney Castle to ‘kiss the Blarney Stone’, which allegedly confers the gift of eloquence on those who kiss it (make sure you’re fit though – there are 127 steps to climb to get there!) The Castle and its grounds, including the Rock Close, are a great way to spend an afternoon outdoors.

Shoppers have an array of shops to browse in Cork. Head to the English Market, located in a building from 1786, where you will find delicacies from around the world. There are numerous shopping streets in the centre of Cork, from Patrick Street, which is Cork’s longest shopping street and Opera Lane to Oliver Plunkett Street and Princes Street. French Church Street has some great shops hidden away, including clothes and shoe shops, chocolate shops, and outdoor cafés.

Any self-respecting hen party should make the most of Cork’s famous hospitality with a bar hop around the city. A traditional Irish pub with live music, the Oliver Plunkett will keep you entertained. The Bodega in the historic Coal Quay is an elegant venue for eating, drinking and dancing, while Long island has a top notch selection of cocktails.

The university crowd tend to be found in An Brog, and the Pavilion is a great place to dance the night away. Famous among locals for its home-brewed beer, The Franciscan Well was voted Ireland’s Best Microbrewery in 2009, and has one of the best beer gardens in Cork for you to enjoy an award-winning pint in. If you fancy taking in a show, Pulses of Tradition is an authentic Irish multi-media experience, which features musicians and dancers.