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Officially Ireland’s second city, built on either side of the River Lee, Cork is a true rival to Dublin according to the local residents, of which there are around 140,000. The picturesque quays both north and south of the river, linked by an array of bridges, offer spectacular views. The numerous waterways, narrow alleys and Georgian buildings, together with the balmy climate, often lend the city a more continental than Irish atmosphere.

The fact that Kinsale has its own gourmet food festival gives some idea of the calibre of restaurants and cafés here. It is probably the most prosperous and sophisticated fishing village in the country and, being only 15 km (9 miles) from Cork, attracts locals and tourists in droves. The pretty harbour is the focal point and most of the activity centres on this area and the backstreets around it.

Pronounced “Cove”, this 19th-century town boasts one of the world’s largest natural harbours. In its heyday, the town was a major commercial seaport as well as being the stop-over port for luxury passenger liners, including the Sirius, which made her maiden voyage from here. Cobh was also the last port of call for the Titanic before she sailed to her tragic end. The Queens-town Story is an interesting exhibition detailing the town’s maritime history. Particularly poignant is the section on the part Cobh played in the transportation of convicts to Australia in the 18th and 19th centuries.

About 30 km (18 miles) east of Cork, Youghal (pronounced “Yawl”) has a great location on both the Atlantic Ocean and the tamer banks of the River Black-water’s estuary. The impressive walls enclosing the town are evidence of its vulnerability to attack from France and Spain – it was once one of the most heavily fortified seaports on the British coast. Queen Elizabeth I bestowed Youghal on Sir Walter Raleigh in gratitude for faithful service. Under Cromwell, however, the town became an English Protestant garrison.

It is really the Blarney Stone, believed to have been brought to Ireland during the Crusades, that brings visitors flocking here in their masses. Legend has it that whoever kisses the stone will be given the gift of eloquent speech. The castle itself dates from the mid-15th century and the Banqueting Hall and Great Hall are fine examples of architecture of the period.

Blarney Castle

This 700-acre centre prides itself on helping to protect the environment, breeding and reintroducing animals to their natural habitats. One of its great successes is the saving of the native white-tailed eagle that was threatened with extinction in Ireland.

A bleak atmosphere presides here, when the mist hangs over the shore and the ruined 13th-century Franciscan abbey sits broodingly on the waterside. Of particular interest is the wine cellar – the friars prospered on the importation of Spanish wines in the 16th century.

An excellent audio-visual presentation of the story of Irish whiskey, with a tour of the still houses, granaries, mills and maltings, and a highly popular whiskey tasting.

Built in the late 17th century, Charles Fort has been associated with some of the most momentous events in Irish history, including the Williamite War of 1690 and the Irish Civil War in 1922–23.

Gunpowder was one of Cork’s most important industries in the mid-19th century until the mills closed in 1903. Visitors can see the canals, sluices, weirs, mills and workers’ cottages.