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Cork City
Ireland
Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images
Overview
Ireland's second city is first in every important respect – at least according to the locals, who cheerfully refer to it as the 'real capital of Ireland'. 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 – seemingly – 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.
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Icons of Southern Ireland: 12 Days in Dublin, Kinsale, Cork, and Tipperary
highlights
- 1Viewing the illuminated Book of Kells in Trinity College Dublin’s Old Library
- 2Partaking in a traditional afternoon tea inside Waterford’s famous crystal factory
- 3Foraging for wild seaweed with an expert guide on the Ring of Kerry
from $5,700
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Must-see attractions
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Best Things to Do
Ireland’s second-largest city earns its fierce pride with attractions that combine the charm of a small town and the cultural scene of a much larger burg.
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