The port City of Cork, distinguished by its skyline of spires and limestone buildings, is both capital city of the County of Cork and the province of Munster. Now the second city of Ireland with a population of 127,000 , Cork is the thriving business centre for the south of Ireland and a popular tourist destination. 
Gateway to the South West , an area of outstanding natural beauty and Ireland's premier tourism region, Cork city offers a wide range of interests and attractions. The city dates back to the sixth century and began its days as a monastic settlement, founded by St Finbarr, with a great presence of learning which has continued through to the present University College of Cork. Nestled along the banks of the River Lee, Cork city boasts of a stunning natural harbour and indeed one of Ireland's most important and historical seaports. Steep streets wind away from the waters edge, creating a city of great charm and character

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If  you do not want to stay in  Cork City,  but close to it,  towns like Mallow offer excellent  hotels which are very reasonably priced and which are less than 1 hours drive, or Middleton in East Cork with some of the nicest hotels in Ireland, also less than 1 hours drive. 

A visit to Kinsale is a must, Shark Fishing; Golf on The olde Head of Kinsale Golf Course; and the Jazz Festival in October. 

Kinsale is now widely regarded as the culinary capital of Ireland. It is an ancient seaside town full of oldworld charm.The town has a Georgian feel to it which can be attributed to the fact that it's strategic location and excellent natural harbour made it a logical choice for the British to use as a naval base during the 17th and18th centuries.Today, the beautiful harbour is widely used by sailing yachts from the UK and Europe, filled with visitors attracted by excellent food, fine accomodation, beautiful scenery and plenty to do. 

Ireland's largest county and home to our second city Cork, it is also famous for the Blarney Stone and Castle which are just outside the city .Cork City  was founded in the 7th century and developed from a monastery established by St. Finbarr on the banks of the River Lee. 

Cobh ( pronounced "Cove" ), situated on the eastern side of Cork Harbour is a must for visitors to the city. A natural deep water harbour, it was from Cobh that many of our emigrants departed to America during the famine years. In 1838 the Sirius sailed from Cobh to make the first steam powered trans-atlantic sailing and in 1912 the Titanic stopped there before heading out on it's doomed crossing across the Atlantic. 

Blarney Village, home of the Blarney Stone is a must for first time visitors. The village also includes the famous woolen mills which was once a major employer in the area. Now, converted into a hotel and craft shop it offers a wide variety of Irish Glassware, Linen, Knitwear and Pottery. 

Moving further west, my favourite spot is Skibbereen, the Capital of West Cork. A colourful coastal town, it's name translated to english means "little boat harbour", is a warm friendly place where people have time to stop and chat. Impromptu sessions of live traditional music are the norm, rather than the exception, and with a choice of 22 pubs and a number of award winning restaurants in the town, you are assured of good food, great entertainment and friendly company. 

Skibbereen has a fine 18 hole golf course with sea angling and coarse fishing is available from the River Ilen and the nearby lakes of Shepperton.The town is located in the heart of some of Ireland's most beautiful scenery with a choice of sandy beaches, secluded coves, rivers, lakes and hills- all easily accessible from the town. 

The area is also worth a visit for those with a sense of history, particularly if your name is McCarthy or O'Donovan - your ancestors probably originated nearby. Skibbereen was one of the worst affected towns in Ireland during the famine in the mid 1800's with between 8,000 to 10,000 victims buried in the famine buriel pits. General Michael Collins, commander of the Irish forces against the British during the War of Independence had his last meal here before being shot later that day in an ambush 1923. 

Skibb. as it's affectionately known, is remakably well situated for touring West Cork because literally within 20 minutes drive from Skibbereen, are the beautiful villages and ancient towns of of Baltimore  and  Bantry ,all very quaint, remarkably unspoilt and well worth a visit.  From Baltimore, you can take a ferry to the islands of Sherkin and Cape Clear.