If you want to step back into history, Bantry House (bantryhouse.com) in Bantry is a gorgeous place to begin. Built in the 18th century, it's packed with such historical artifacts an ancient piano, French tapestries and a floor paved with mosaics from Pompeii. In Kinsale, explore the 17th-century Charles Fort (heritageireland.ie), home to ruins, educational displays and memorable views of the coast. Barryscourt Castle (heritageireland.ie), built in the 1500s, has been restored to its original 16th-century look, with an herb garden and old-fashioned orchard outside. And the 16th-century Desmond Castle (heritageireland.ie) has more than just historic displays: It also hosts a museum dedicated to Irish wine.
Ireland has a long religious history, which you can explore in its churches and cathedrals. You'll find one of Ireland's oldest churches in Kinsale. Dating back to the 12th century, the Church of Ireland Church (ireland.anglican.org) also has a historic graveyard. Meanwhile, Cobh is home to the French Gothic-style St. Colman's Cathedral (cobhcathedral.ie), which holds Ireland's largest carillon in its striking bell tower. The 18th-century St. Anne's Church (shandonbells.ie) in Shandon also has a bell tower; you can ring the bells on the first floor yourself.
Whether you want to learn about Ireland's history, take in art or just escape a rain shower, County Cork's museums offer shelter. Cobh Museum (cobhmuseum.com) has artifacts, paintings and model ships that tell the story of Cobh's history -- and all of it is housed in a Scottish Presbyterian church dating back to the 1800s. The Cork Butter Museum (corkbutter.museum) gives you a look at Ireland's successful butter trade; at one point in the 19th century, the Cork Butter Exchange was the biggest butter market on the planet. For something more artistic, visit the Lewis Glucksman Gallery (glucksman.org) on the University College Cork's grounds. This modern art museum houses more than 350 works, most of which are contemporary Irish art pieces.
Taking a detour off the well-worn tourist path gives you more insight into County Cork's diversity. For instance, tucked away in the countryside outside Liscarroll, the Donkey Sanctuary (thedonkeysanctuary.ie) is a home for donkeys that were abandoned. Walk around the grounds to watch the donkeys in their pasture and take in views of the 13th-century Liscarroll Castle nearby. If more history is what you're after, the sprawling Cork City Gaol (corkcitygaol.com) is something completely different, with stone walls, re-created cells and mannequins depicting common scenes from the prison's history. An audio tour educatez you on the grim lives the prisoners faced here in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
