First-time visitors share what Cork is getting right — and wrong — with tourism

Graffiti, grey streets, and transport hassles contrast with warm welcomes as Cork faces criticism from its visiting tourists

Horst and Andrea Meier: 'We are really enjoying our trip. Cork is looking very good to us.' Pictures: Dan Linehan

Uninviting graffiti, dirty buildings, and a lack of adequate payment facilities on public transport.

These were just a few of the gripes of tourists seeing Cork for the first time as they travelled on the Hop On/Hop Off Cork City Sightseeing Tour bus.

CSO figures have revealed foreign visitor numbers to Ireland dropped by 30% in February of this year in contrast to the same period in 2024. 

The news sparked concern from the Government as well as the hospitality industry.

Tourists holidaying in Cork spoke to the Irish Examiner about how they felt the city could sell itself better to future visitors.

While the majority were full of praise for Leeside, others concluded there was room for improvement.

Their first impressions provided a fresh perspective on the city’s pitfalls.

Driver Tony Long with Joan and David Taylor at the Hop On/Hop Off bus: 'The first thing I said to myself when we arrived at our hotel was 'not more graffiti'.

David Taylor lauded what he described as Cork’s beautiful architecture. 

However, the Derbyshire man lamented much of it had become obscured by graffiti.

He said it was the first detail he and his wife noticed when walking to their hotel.

“Parts of it do look tired compared to Manchester. The first thing I said to myself when we arrived at our hotel was 'not more graffiti'.

"I’ve just seen so much of it since we arrived.

"This is such a shame because it suggests maybe there is an acceptance here. 

"It’s as if the people who are doing it get priority. 

"The streets are so narrow which just makes it stand out more because you almost feel like it’s closing in on you. 

"What’s worse is there is nothing to back it up. If it was the work of talented artists, then it might even add something to the city.

He said back where he lives authorities made a point of taking a blank wall they knew would be a target and created a beautiful artwork for it. 

"It features some historical figures from the area, including designer Vivienne Westwood. 

"The artwork was a community project that brought everyone together. 

"They took a problem and turned it into art.” 

Nonetheless, he acknowledged the efforts being made to celebrate Cork legends.

It was lovely to see the picture of Rory Gallagher in the window of the library. It’s something I’d like to see more of.

Meanwhile, Pauline and Tom Rooney, who hail from Scotland, cited issues with public transport as their number one pet peeve.

The Hop On/Hop Off Cork City Sightseeing Tours bus passing Shandon.

“We were trying to pay for our bus ticket from the airport online in advance but we couldn’t find a way of doing this. 

"We just assumed that we would be able to pay by card when we got on but even this wasn’t an option," they said.

"This was really surprising as almost everywhere accepts cards. 

"However, they were only taking cash which we didn’t have on us. 

Fortunately, the driver was very nice. He knew the situation we were in and just waved us on. Everyone in Cork has been really nice.

Luckily, it wasn’t all bad news.

“Cork is very compact,” Pauline added. 

“You can walk almost anywhere,” her husband Tom chimed in. “The food has been great, and of course the Guinness too.” 

In contrast, Elena Strachan, who lives in Falkirk, Scotland, was underwhelmed with her first impressions of the city.

“Cork is a bit dirty,” she told the Irish Examiner. 

“When I see historical buildings in other cities they are always very clean. 

"I think about the high prices we are paying. 

"It’s disappointing to think that you would be paying so much for accommodation and food and drinks only to still have it be so uninviting for tourists. 

"All the buildings are grey. They need renovating to give them life and bring them back to how they were. 

I don’t find Cork is inviting. It’s not going to attract me. There is nothing that would call me to come back. 

Horst Meier from Frankfurt disagreed, saying Cork is one of the most friendly and beautiful places he has every visited.

“Cork people are very nice,” he said. 

Michael and Shirley Edwards with Brian Johnston: 'It's very clean here.'

“We lost that in Germany years ago. People are too worried about themselves in Germany to be that nice to other people. 

"They are always in a hurry or preoccupied with other things. 

There are a lot of pubs in Ireland. In Germany, pubs are slowly dying so it’s great to see so many of them over here. We are really enjoying our trip. Cork is looking very good to us.

Michael Edwards, who had travelled from Belfast, was also suitably impressed.

“It’s not as congested as in Belfast,” he said. 

“In the city of Belfast there used to be four lanes and now they have turned that into two lanes and a bus lane. 

"Half the time there are no passengers on the bus while the other lanes are gridlocked. The traffic situation is much better in Cork. 

"It is also very clean here.”