Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland after Dublin. It lies on Ireland’s south coast and is connected to the sea by Cork Harbour and a slim channel called Passage West. Cork and the adjacent coastline have a strong seafaring and trading tradition. In effect, the original city is an island enclosed by two arms of the River Lee. During the 7th century, St. Finbarr (Fin Barre) established a monastery on a small marshy tract, where the cathedral of the same name now stands. Over the coming centuries, the town survived and flourished, despite Viking raids and later occupation by English forces. Today, many of Cork’s tourist attractions recall its long history, and you’ll find it a vibrant, lively city with plenty of things to do.

It’s a liberal, youthful and cosmopolitan place that was badly hit by economic recession but is now busily reinventing itself with spruced-up streets, revitalised stretches of waterfront, and an artisan coffee bar on every corner. There’s a bit of a hipster scene, but the best of the city is still happily traditional – snug pubs with live-music sessions, restaurants dishing up top-quality local produce, and a genuinely proud welcome from the locals. The compact city centre is set on an island in the River Lee, surrounded by waterways and packed with grand Georgian avenues, cramped 17th-century alleys, modern masterpieces such as the opera house, and narrow streets crammed with pubs, shops, cafes and restaurants, fed by arguably the best foodie scene in the country.