Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the third largest on the island of Ireland.

It would be the first time since I was in Galway that I would be staying somewhere for a couple of days.

When you break it down, it’s only a couple of days, but it feels longer when you’re covering the miles in a car and stopping off. When you’re in Ireland you’re going to be stopping off many times because there’s so much to see.

It was a relief to be able to park the car and leave it for a couple of days.

The centre of Cork isn’t big and you can get around it in a day or a two in you wanted to take your time. Here’s a glimpse of a few of Cork’s popular places to see.

The University of Cork was founded in 1845 and is one of three Queen’s Colleges along with Belfast and Galway.

It’s one of those classic university buildings that you walk around, and enjoy the green space within the campus.

If you think Oxford, Cambridge and Glasgow, then you have a rough idea of how people here seem to view the University of Cork.

Cork’s iconic English Market has been open since the late 1780s. It’s one of the oldest markets in Europe and one of the best covered.

The market has a significant cultural heritage and is an important part of food culture in Cork, with an emphasis of fresh local produce.

You’ll find independent local stallholders, some of which have been family run for generations.

For a 360 degree view of Cork, visit St Anne’s Church and head up 132 steps up Shandon Bell Tower.

St Anne’s is one of Cork’s oldest Churches having been built in 1722.

On the first floor you can ring the bell and it’ll play music. You have a choice of 8 strings to pull, with each playing something different.

The Mardyke Walk is around a mile long if that, so it’s not your typical trail which can stretch over several miles plus.

It starts from Fitzgerald Park, past Cork Cricket Club and you can go over Daly’s Bridge and Mardyke Bridge.

Throughout the trail you’re surrounding by a lot of green space and nature. I went beyond the trail and along the river before turning back when it was time to grab a bite to eat.

Throughout the development of the Mardyke Walk, there’s always been an emphasis on the city to retain its ability to showcase its history and maintain its original architecture.

Even if you’re not into walking or hiking, the Mardyke trail is flat and easy to walk for people of all physical abilities.

A 20 minute drive outside of Cork takes you to one of the biggest attractions in the area, Blarney Castle.

Built nearly 600 years ago, Blarney Castle has attracted tourists from all over the world to see one of Ireland’s national treasures.

Blarney Castle is home to the famous Blarney stone. Found at the top of the tower, legend has it that if you kiss the Blarney Stone it gives you the “gift of the gab”.

I hadn’t heard of the legend of the Blarney stone until a couple of days before I arrived to Cork.

I thought it was a wind up when I first heard about it.

Kissing the stone is quite awkward. You need to be upside down and there’s someone to hold your legs as well for stability as you hold the rail.

You can buy the pictures once you’ve kissed the Blarney stone, but honestly it’s a rip off and the photo quality isn’t that good.

Blarney stone kissing aside, the area around the castle, and the gardens are nice to explore and enjoy. Especially in the morning when there’s hardly anyone around.

Basically if you didn’t kiss the Blarney stone, did you even visit Cork?

A good place to explore outside of Cork city is the seaside town of Cobh.

A colourful town 30 minutes away in Cork Harbour, Cobh is a place full of character and charm.

Cobh is known for being the Titanic’s last port of call in 1912. It has its own version of San Francisco’s famed Alcatraz Island in the form of Spike Island that was a converted prison until it closed in 2004.

It’s a walkable place, and I did just that in the few hours I spent here, navigating the hills, seeing colourful buildings where ever I went. I spent most of the time along the promenade chilling by the harbour.

Cobh would a be nice little peaceful place to stay if you don’t want to be in the main city.

Now on to the places to eat in Cork.

Of course go to the English Market, because why wouldn’t you want to try food that is locally sourced or food from abroad that is freshly prepered?

Pompeii Pizza operates out of the Franciscan Well and Brewery Pub (a nice pub to visit while you’re at it).

There seems to be something about pizza places operating in pub gardens. It goes really well together.

Even typing about it I like the idea and I’m even craving some pizza to go with a cider.

My favourite place to eat in Cork was at the White Rabbit Bar and BBQ restaurant. If you love your meat, this is a great place for lunch and dinner.

I visited three times while I was in Cork including twice in a day. I wanted to sample as much as I could from the menu.

Cork, much like Galway is good for a weekend getaway.

You could extend your stay and explore more towns and villages in East Cork. I found out more about the options you have for County Cork while I was in Ireland.

After 10 days of driving around, if I had a pound (or a Euro) for every time anyone from Ireland had told me about more towns, villages and attractions i could add to my itinerary, I could retire on a beach in the Caribbean.

I was able to add to my itinerary but not everything. Sometimes the flexibility is there and sometimes it isn’t. I usually try to leave room on a trip for some leeway rather than packing too much in.

Even if I was covering a good amount in two weeks, it wasn’t enough. I still had a good time but it makes me want to come back.