Shopping in Cork

If you like to shop til’ you drop, Cork is the place for you and the Metropole Hotel, in the heart of Cork City is the perfect base.

Shopping has never been made so easy, with the compact nature of Cork City’s Shopping District, everything is within a short stroll of the hotel. Whether it be the elegance of Brown Thomas, the hustle and bustle of Merchants Quay or the small boutiques of the Hugnot Quarter, there really is something for everyone.

Unlike most major cities nowadays, it’s still practical to shop for pretty much everything you need in the compact city centre. Patrick Street, the main thoroughfare, is still the principle focus for shoppers, with department stores, shopping arcades, and chic fashion boutiques. Radiating out from Patrick Street is a network of pretty little pedestrianised side streets where you’ll find everything from bookshops and craft centres to comfortable cafes and relaxing bistros and pubs – perfect for getting your breath back before the journey home.

If you’re looking for something uniquely “Cork”, the county has a long tradition of hand-crafted goods, including pottery and ceramics, knitwear and lace-making, tapestry and weaving, wood turning, glass blowing, basketry, jewellery, wooden furniture and handmade garments. Make sure you bring home a memento……

Cork has been ranked among the world’s top ten tourist cities for its youthful buzz, sophistication and mouth-watering eateries.

It was the only Irish destination to make the coveted list by renowned travel guide Lonely Planet, sharing space with other global spots like Singapore, Vancouver and Istanbul.

Praising the city’s unshakeable self confidence and pride, the roll-call of must-see destinations also described the Corkonian lilt as musical.

Long recognised as the world’s top tourist guide, Lonely Planet has listed Cork alongside such renowned international cities as Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Vancouver as a city destination not to be missed.