Alas, autumn is in the air. The world is turning golden, the nights are closing in, and there’s a freshness blowing as the world increasingly returns to normal. These seasonal changes can only mean one thing here at Hotel Isaacs-the launch of Cask Bar’s eagerly anticipated autumn menu. Cocktails….cocktails and more cocktails combined with some warming eclectic dishes from the team behind Ireland’s number one cocktail bar? Could we ask for anything more as we bid adieu to those long summer days?
Well, a change of season in our humble opinion is always a fantastic time for a stroll around the shops to catch up on the latest trends. Not only is it a great way to dodge any unexpected showers but you just never know what little gem you might find on your wanderings. If there is anything the pandemic has taught us is the importance of supporting local businesses and now with the world opening up, we feel it’s our duty to do our bit to keep these businesses alive. We have formed a collaboration with the Shandon Sweet Shop and every guest that books direct with us, will receive a delicious jar of their famous homemade sweets.
Luckily, our boutique hotel is located in the heart of Cork City’s Victorian Quarter; a quirky diverse part of town renowned for its nightlife, original shops and charming village-like feel where visitors will be spoiled for choice on places to explore.
Here are just a tiny selection of some of the wonderful local businesses in our area that are definitely worth popping into on your next visit to Cork:
1. Shandon Sweet Shop:
37A John Redmond Street
One of the oldest sweet shops in Ireland dating back to 1929, no trip to nearby Shandon and its imposing bell tower would be complete without some traditional homemade sweets.
2. Unbound:
5 Bridge Street, Victorian Quarter
Just around the corner from Hotel Isaacs, Unbound is a family business in the Victorian Quarter that specialise in gifts that are quirky, heartfelt, light-hearted, and unique. You will discover a variety of brands and products you won’t find in many other shops. Definitely worth checking out if you have a birthday coming up or dare we mention an early Christmas gift?
3. D’Bag Shop:
Merchants Quay Shopping Centre
Travel is back and with Ryanair set to reopen its Cork Airport base in just a few weeks, now has never been a better time to stock up on some travel essentials at D’Bag Shop. Located upstairs in Merchant’s Quay Shopping Centre, D’Bag Shop caters for all your travel bag needs. They also stock a wide range of backpacks, handbags, purses, wallets, and laptop bags.
4. Sultan Delight:
21 MacCurtain Street
“Good things come in small parcels” certainly rings true for Sultan Delight. Located right across the street from Hotel Isaacs, Sultan Delight sells chocolate, Turkish Delight, teas, coffees, spices, cakes, biscuits and much more.
5. Great Island Car Rentals:
47 MacCurtain Street
Technically not a store but professional and friendly car hire company, just two doors down from our boutique hotel. Just in case the urge to explore further afield takes you! Excellent rates guaranteed too.
6. Nano Nagle Design Shop:
Douglas Street
A trip to Nano Nagle Place is of course one of Cork City’s number one visitor attractions but even if history isn’t quite your cup of tea, their award-winning design shop and Cork focused bookshop sells a wide range of stock from sustainable homeware, local prints, designer jewellery, kids’ toys, books all about our beautiful city and much more.
7. Miss Daisy Blue:
1-2 St Patrick’s Quay
Finally, have an event to look forward to? Looking for something different that will definitely make you stand out from the crowd? Miss Daisy Blue is a vintage clothing shop located in the heart of Cork City. They stock a large selection of ladies and menswear ranging from the 1930s to the 1990s with everything from casual wear to occasion and bridal.
8. Everyman Palace Theatre:
15 MacCurtain Street
Directly opposite our boutique hotel lies the Victorian gem that is the Everyman Palace Theatre. Best of all, live performances are now back in action. Check out their website for their upcoming season. Early booking is strongly recommended.
9. Vibes and Scribes Crafts:
3 Bridge Street
Vibes and Scribes Crafts is another gem in the Victorian Quarter and one of the largest retailers for art and crafts, wool, fabric, haberdashery and upholstery supplies in Ireland. Vibes and Scribes Wool, Fabric and Crafting Supplies is one of a kind in Ireland as it focuses not just on one type of craft supply but encompasses a wide range of DIY possibilities. They also supply the whole country throughtheir online shop. Don’t forget to check out their bookstore over on Lavitt’s Quay too.
10. Bradleys Specialist Off-Licence and Foodstore:
81 North Main Street
Bradley’s is a specialist off-licence and food store stocking a huge range of whiskeys, speciality spirits, and hundreds of craft beers as well as artisan food boxes. They also carry a wide selection of specialty foods with a particular emphasis on local and Irish.
11. Triskel Arts Centre:
Tobin Street
The Triskel Arts Centre is a cultural hub in the middle of Cork City featuring literary events, arthouse cinema, contemporary visual art exhibitions and live music concerts with a particular focus on classical, jazz, trad and folk. They also host civil ceremony weddings in their main auditorium, which is a 300-year-old church on South Main Street alongside Bishop Lucey Park.
12. Pinocchio’s Toys and Gifts:
2 Paul Street
Pinocchio’s was founded in 1983 and specializes in mostly wooden toys. It is a family run business bang in the middle of Cork City stocking a wide range of beautiful long lasting toys from birth to more mature children. They even do a few for the parents, good puzzles and large jigsaws.
13. Wild Design Collective:
Pauls Street Shopping Centre
Wild Design are a small but mighty creative lifestyle and gift company established in October 2017. 98% of their product range is made in Ireland and 95% of their makers are female. They pride themselves on knowing who exactly makes their products and offer customers a unique, friendly and positive retail experience.
14. Mother Jones Flea Market:
2 York Street
Mother Jones Flea Market, just around the corner from our boutique hotel is full of vintage antiques and clothing, collectables and a whole lot of quirky finds. You never know what you’ll discover there. They are open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10-6pm. They also offer gift vouchers.
15. Stokes Clocks:
MacCurtain Street
Turret clocks, concept clocks, three-sided clocks? For something completely different, check out Stokes Clocks. As the name suggests, Stokes are clock experts specialising in the sale and repair of clocks. Clock making and restoration have been in the Stokes Family for many generations.
