Many of the main attractions are within walking distance of the city centre, from St. Anne’s Bell Tower in Shandon to Fitzgerald Park. There are also a lot of fun and interesting places to visit just outside the city. A little further afield, the village of Blarney is well worth a visit. Hugely popular with tourists, this picturesque Irish village is only a short trip from Cork city centre and is home to Blarney Castle. This castle hosts one of Ireland’s most visited tourist attractions, the Blarney Stone. One kiss to this fabled Stone and you’ll receive the gift of the gab.

There are a lot of museums scattered throughout the city too, with most offering free admission. The Lewis Gluxman Art Gallery is located on the University College Cork campus and is a must-see for any modern art fans. From there, it’s a good idea to take a wander through the beautiful campus grounds.

In Cork city centre, the action is generally centered around St. Patrick’s Street. This shopping area is popular with visitors and locals, and can get very busy, especially at weekends. The surrounding streets provide a wide range of places to eat and drink, catering to most tastes and budgets.

From live music to clubs to traditional pubs, Cork has it all. Again, because the city centre is compact, a lot of these places are close together and a short walk from the main street. Oliver Plunkett Street is home to some of the city’s most popular bars, including An Brog and the Old Oak Bar.

For something a little different, there’s the MVM club night at the Everyman Palace Theatre on MacCurtain Street. As well as providing plenty of room to dance, it also shows cult movies in a comfy sofa cinema.

Live acts from rock bands to traditional Irish music performers can be seen at a range of venues across the city including Fred Zeppelins and Cyprus Avenue. The Cork Opera House, Ireland’s only purpose built opera house, also hosts a lot of different events if you fancy a break from the usual bars and clubs.

Throughout the year, Cork’s various festivals attract a large number of visitors with huge crowds of people descending on the city for various events from St. Patrick’s Day in March to the Cork Film Festival and the Cork Jazz Festival which both take place in October.

This bustling contemporary city has something for everyone and will keep you coming back again, again and again.