Nearby Cobh is a lovely port town and there are scenic vistas and country roads meandering through traditional Irish villages along the seacoast to the yachting centre of Kinsale.

The Cork Butter Museum: on O’Connell Square is dedicated to the industry that brought prosperity to the area from the late 18th century. The museum details the process of making butter and how the lucrative butter market helped the city survive the famine, which devastated most of Ireland. The modern-day ‘Kerrygold’ brand is chronicled in an informative video.

The cathedral is situated at the site of the original St Finbarr monastic settlement, dating from the 8th century. Very little evidence remains of the medieval buildings, but you will find some entries in the historical records that give an idea of their dimensions and appearance. During the siege of Cork in 1689, the cathedral suffered extensive damage and a new cathedral was built on the site, which was completed in 1878.

The Cork Opera House: has been a major feature of the city’s cultural and social life for the last 150 years. It is the only purpose-built Opera House in Ireland and was extensively renovated in 1993, now boasting a striking, modern facade. A number of performances are hosted here throughout the year, including not only opera, but also dance, drama, concerts and musicals.

There’s a tour on tape that you can listen to as you wander leisurely around the Gaol, providing information on the city’s social history and anecdotal information on figures of national importance. The Gaol is located at Sunday's Well, around 30 minutes by foot from the centre.

Blarney Castle: is situated five miles north-west of Cork city and is world-renowned for its ‘Blarney Stone,’ believed to bestow eloquence on all who kiss it. Millions of visitors have made the journey to Blarney to kiss the stone and also to appreciate the beauty of one of Ireland's greatest treasures. The current castle was built around 600 hundred years ago and is the third to have been constructed on the site.