The Irish Republic's second largest city is a surprisingly appealing place - you'll find time passes effortlessly during the day, and by night the pub scene is lively. The town centre is uniquely situated on an island between two channels of the Lee River. North of the river, in the Shandon area, is an interesting historic part of the city, if a bit run down today. Cork prides itself on its cultural pursuits, and apart from a heap of cosy pubs, the Cork Opera House , Crawford Art Gallery and Firkin Crane Centre offer both traditional and mainstream fare. A popular day trip from Cork is to Blarney Castle , where even the most untouristy visitor may feel compelled to kiss the Blarney Stone.
Cork is around five hours to the south of Dublin by bus.
Waterford City Waterford has a decidedly medieval feel, with city walls, narrow alleyways and a Norman tower - Reginald's Tower . Georgian times also left a legacy of fine buildings, in particular those on the Mall, a spacious 18th-century street. The city's many churches are also noteworthy, in particular the sumptuous interior of Holy Trinity Cathedral . Waterford is first and foremost a busy commercial port city, situated on the River Suir whose estuary is deep enough to allow large ships to berth at the city's quays. With its narrow streets, old stone shopfronts and bustling pubs, Galway is a delight.