People are well and familiar hearing about Dublin. Not many know however, that a city in the south named Cork has frequently been claimed and contested against Dublin as the ‘real’ capital of Ireland. Although it is true that Dublin holds the highest population compared to any other county in Ireland, Cork actually follows soon after with a current total population of about 542,868 civilians.

Cork boasts picturesque seaside views due to its close proximity and border to the Celtic sea. The main streets such as Patrick’s Street feature wide, spacious footpaths that ensure several people can walk at the same time without it feeling overcrowded. The decoratively poised streetlamps make for a nice backdrop in a photo during the day or night. As well as this, more or less all major retail outlets that are available in Dublin are also available here, meaning one can still access major shopping and retail outlets without having to worry.

After a busy day shopping or sightseeing, some really nice, quaint and cosy little cafes such as the Bookshelf Cafe and Cafe Nero on Oliver Plunkett street are easy to access due to their close proximity to the city centre. Here one can order a coffee, cake or whatever they so fancy, and then find a nice seat to settle down in and enjoy people watching or time with friends.

Places such as the butter museum or the Crawford art gallery are popular places to visit for those who are new to this city. Other possible sights to see that are easy to get to from the city centre include the Shandon Bell towers, the famous English Market on the Grand Parade and St Fin Barre’s Cathedral to name but a few.

In my opinion cork is just as diverse and multicultural without some of the major hustle and bustle that is frequently encountered in Dublin. If you haven’t been to Cork yet, why not give this lively little city a try?