Travelling Surgical Society of Great Britain and Ireland Tour to Cork, Ireland

Itinerary at a glance

Day 1: Cork (Fri, 19 May) Arrive in Cork and transfer to the Montenotte Hotel. The afternoon is at leisure while the group arrives. Dinner at the Montenotte Hotel with its fantastic views of the city and harbour.

Day 2: Cork (Sat, 20 May) Take an orientation tour of Cork with a visit to the iconic English market, famously visited by the late Queen Elizabeth as part of her state visit in 2011. Wander through scores of vendors selling the region's best local produce and admire the ornate vaulted ceilings and columns. After lunch at the market, head to the University College Cork, currently ranked in the top 1.1% of universities in the world, with an impressive history stretching back over 170 years. Hear historic tales from JP Quinn, one of the most well-known faces in UCC. JP will take you back to 1845 through a timeline of the college's medical history.

Day 3: Cork (Sun, 21 May) Surgeons on professional visit – Mercy Hospital. New theatre visit (1 hour). Partner programme: short walking to Shandon Bells and the Crawford Art gallery. Whilst surgeons visit the Mercy Hospital, partners will enjoy a short walking tour from the hospital to Shandon Bells and the Crawford Art Gallery, one of the national galleries of Ireland. After lunch, visit the almost 200-year-old Jameson Distillery to learn about the process of creating whiskey, with tastings of Irish premium whiskey. In the evening, enjoy a special private screening at the Montenotte’s own luxury Cameo Cinema, featuring state-of-the-art technology.

Day 4: Cork / Cashel (Mon, 22 May) Medical school visit (1-2 hours); Partners at leisure. Reconvene to travel from Cork to Blarney, pausing to kiss the Blarney Stone where allegedly you will acquire Irish charm and the skills of flattery and persuasion. Visit Blarney Castle and the Blarney Woollen Mills. Travel to neighbouring Cashel for lunch at Cashel's famous Mickey Ryan's restaurant. Legend has it that the original hops plant used to make Guinness came from the restaurant garden and the back of the building once housed a snuff factory. Gain fascinating insight into Ireland's past during a visit to the Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland's most spectacular historic sights. For more than 1,000 years, the Rock of Cashel was a symbol of power and the seat of kings and churchmen who ruled over the region. Enjoy optional drinks at Cashel Palace and return to the hotel via the Vee, a spectacular drive with stunning views (time permitting).

Day 5: Kinsale (Tues, 23 May) Visit the picturesque yachting harbour of Kinsale, known as the gourmet centre of south-west Ireland. Take a tour through Kinsale's unique brightly coloured buildings and learn of its history. After lunch, travel back to Cork via the Joseph Walsh Studio, a design studio, workshop, gallery and archive, set within an 18th-century farmhouse.

Day 6: Cork (Wed, 24 May) Full Day Academic Meeting. Partner Programme: Visit Fota House, a Regency mansion. Experience the opulence of its gorgeous interiors and learn about the lives once lived in this Regency mansion. Take a walk in the tranquil adjoining arboretum and gardens to see rare plants and learn about their history, conservation, and development. Academic Meeting. Partner Programme: Visit the harbour town of Cobh to learn of its fascinating seafaring history at The Titanic Experience. In the evneing, reconvene in the evening and join local surgeons for a reception and three-course formal dinner at the stylish Look Out Room at The River Lee.

Day 7: Cork (Thurs, 25 May) The TSS annual meeting will be held on the morning of the final full day within the hotel. The remainder of the day will be at leisure. A farewell barbeque will be held in the evening at the Montenotte Hotel’s impressive Glasshouse rooftop bar.

Day 8: Cork (Fri, 26 May) Check out after breakfast and transfer to airport / station.