Nestled in the South West of Ireland between the signature visitor experiences of Ireland’s Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way, Cork city and county offer visitors history, heritage and landmarks, accompanied by artisan food and drink and a strong cultural, musical and artistic vibe. We are a place of dramatic natural landscapes, riverscapes, harbours, bays and seascapes. A place of mountains, river valleys and coastlines. 

Cork is Ireland’s second largest city but the locals consider it the ‘real capital of Ireland’! The city centre is surrounded by interesting waterways and is full of excellent restaurants driving a burgeoning food scene. The River Lee flows around the centre, an island packed with grand Georgian parades, cramped 17th-century alleys and modern masterpieces such as the Opera House, Crawford Art Gallery and the famous English Market. St Patrick’s Street runs from St Patrick’s Bridge on the North Channel of the River Lee, through the city’s main shopping and commercial area, to the Georgian Grand Parade, which leads to the river’s South Channel. North and south of St Patrick’s Street lie the city’s most entertaining quarters: webs of narrow streets crammed with pubs, cafes, restaurants and shops. 

Cork has the longest shoreline of any county in Ireland, the last sunset in Europe and one of the deepest natural harbours in the world. The county of Cork is within driving distance of the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands, the botanically important Burren Region, Bunratty Castle, the Ring of Kerry, and the lakes of Killarney. Meanwhile within a short distance of the city are the legendary Blarney Stone and Castle, the historic town of Kinsale, and the Jameson Whiskey Distillery.