welcoming destination for business events, offering world-class facilities in a vibrant city surrounded by stunning landscapes. With a rich cultural heritage and a thriving innovation ecosystem, Ireland’ s second-largest city inspires, engages and energises attendees.

Located along Ireland’ s scenic south coast, Cork offers easy access to the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’ s Ancient East, blending modern experiences with deep-rooted history. The city functions as a commercial and cultural hub for the south, with excellent transport links and a reputation for food, innovation and maritime heritage. The city centre is an island between two channels of the River Lee, which meet downstream at its eastern end. There, the quays and docks along the river lead out towards Lough Mahon and Cork Harbour, one of the world’ s largest natural harbours.

Cork’ s economy is powered by pharma and tech. Perhaps the most famous product of its pharmaceutical industry is Viagra, manufactured by Pfizer. Cork is also the European headquarters of Apple, where more than 6,000 staff work in manufacturing, R & D and customer support. Other major IT players such as Logitech and Dell are significant employers, along with e-retailer Amazon. The city is also home to the Heineken Brewery, which brews Murphy’ s Irish Stout, while 45 % of the famous Tic Tac sweets are made in the city’ s Ferrero factory.

Recent development strategy has seen the city centre focus on pedestrians,

and there are more than 30 public bike stations. Ongoing road infrastructure work has added new bypasses and diverted traffic through the Jack Lynch Tunnel under the river. Good road and rail routes link Cork with Dublin, and the city’ s airport is the second busiest in Ireland, handling a record 3.46 million passengers in 2025.

Across and around the city is a host of venues to meet the needs of global planners. Rochestown Park Hotel offers

Aerial View, Cork City, Co Cork

Jameson Distillery, Middleton, Co Cork

Top right: Delegates at an

Evening Gala Dinner, Cork City Gaol, Cork City

Bottom right:

West Cork Literary Festival, Future Forests, Bantry,

Co Cork

12 meeting rooms and capacity for up to 1,200 delegates, with all facilities under one roof and 30 years’ experience hosting major national and international events. The Dean Cork provides a contemporary option in the heart of the city, with flexible meeting and event spaces including The Blue Room for up to 120 guests. The Doyle Collection’ s The River Lee, on the banks of the river, can take 90 delegates in four-star luxury. The two Clayton hotels offer scale: Clayton Hotel Cork City can host more than 500 delegates, and Clayton Hotel Silver Springs has a ballroom seating 800.

The Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Cork in Little Island is an award-winning hotel with lush garden grounds, a short distance from both the city centre and the airport. This scenic venue has 126 guest rooms and meeting and event space for up to 600.

And if the budget stretches to something five-star and unique, look at Castlemartyr Resort. With spectacular landscaped gardens, its Terre restaurant holds two Michelin stars. The resort can cater for 300 delegates and offers 108 luxury bedrooms, just 30 minutes from the airport.

With a range of facilities and a wealth of history, Cork might well be the surprise location that delivers a memorable event experience. n