Welcome to the real capital, as locals might inform you. Cork is the second largest city in the Republic and while a pretty city it ain't, it has been oddly dubbed "the Venice of the North" due to its location on an island between two channels of the River Lee. Cork is still buzzing from its year as the 2005 European Capital of Culture, and it would take months to explore all the excellent restaurants, pubs, theatres and galleries in its compact city centre. Definitely spend 2 days in Cork for every day you spend in Dublin. Beautiful surroundings, wonderful people - I could go on all day!

I loved Cork and would definitely advise anyone to spend time there.