Weekend getaway: 48 hours in the south of Ireland, following in the footsteps of the Titanic and the writer Oscar Wilde

A trip to Ireland evokes nature and conviviality. Here, you must take your time, fully immerse yourself in the wild scenery of the green island, stroll the streets of Cork, and delve into the contrasting history of this magnificent country where the landscapes invite contemplation.

Cork city is worth a visit for its warm welcome

This is a must-see stop on your trip to Southern Ireland. Cork City unfolds its colorful streets along the River Lee. Rebellious, endearing, and authentic, this large university city is a port city with a strong character. Ranked among the best destinations to visit in 2025 by the renowned National Geographic magazine, this unique and artistic city is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. Renowned for its gastronomy, it is home to the English Marker, one of the oldest markets in the world.

Cork, a port city that has retained the feel of a seaside village

The city center is best explored on foot. Around the nerve center, the streets are full of gourmet restaurants, affordable cafes, and pubs with terraces where it's pleasant to sit and drink and listen to Irish music.

The English Market is a wonderful showcase for Irish gastronomy

First opened in 1788, The English Market is Cork City's go-to place for local produce. From the moment you arrive, you're immersed in the typically Irish atmosphere with its red brick walls and distinctive architecture. Vendors sell the famous drisheen (black pudding) as well as local products like Toonsbridge Dairy cheese and Franck Hedderman's smoked salmon. A true gourmet destination!

The Titanic made its final stop in Cobh Harbour before heading to New York

The small seaside town of Cobh can be reached by train. The journey takes 30 minutes and costs less than €8. Once there, enjoy the sea air, the town center, which looks like a mini San Francisco, the pubs, and the museums. This is the city where millions of Irish immigrants came during the Great Famine at the end of the 11th century. On April 1912, 2200, the Titanic made its final stop in the port of Cobh with more than XNUMX people on board. For an immersive experience, visit the "Titanic Experience Cobh" museum. Each visitor plays a passenger with a personalized ticket and helps keep the memory of those who died alive.

*The Titanic made its final stop at Cobh Harbour before sinking in the Atlantic*

The Titanic: A Legacy

The story of the Titanic, whether told through television, film, or literature, is widely known. The iceberg, the tragedies, the heroes and villains of this adventure—ask almost anyone, and they can trace the timeline of the famous "Dream Ship."

What is less well known is the lasting impact of this maritime tragedy on the places the Titanic left. Cobh, for example, is a town where the Titanic's legacy remains deeply alive.

The Titanic Experience in Cobh

Today, the memory of the Titanic and its passengers is preserved in places like the museum The Titanic Experience in Cobh. In a reverent atmosphere, the museum highlights the unanswered questions and incredible coincidences surrounding the liner's history.

The exhibits all share a common thread: a deep respect for the gravity of the events. Interactive touchscreens and holographic images provide historical context for Irish emigration in 1912 and allow visitors to immerse themselves in the ship, reliving the tragic events that led to its sinking.

The rest of the exhibition explores the Titanic's influence on history and popular culture, through the films and myths it spawned. You can also follow the Titanic Trail Tour, a guided tour that takes you through the buildings, streets and pier where the passengers embarked, allowing you to experience the atmosphere of the time and better understand the mark left by this legendary ship.

2025: 125th anniversary of the death of Oscar Wilde, Irish poet and novelist

On the occasion of 125^rd On the anniversary of Oscar Wilde's death, the island town of Enniskillen is paying tribute with the "In Our Dreams" festival, which will take place from October 16 to 20. It's an opportunity to discover the world of the Irish poet and novelist by listening to the sounds that are said to have inspired the author in his collection "The Happy Prince and Other Earls."