Leisure activities:

Cork has the perfect lifestyle balance – a vibrant, bustling city set in a county that has some of the most spectacular natural beauty in Europe. Many unspoiled mountains, lakes, rivers and beaches are just a short drive from the city centre, and even in the heart of the county, you are never more than an hour from the spectacular Atlantic coastline.

From the bustling friendly streets of Cork City, to the rugged beauty of West Cork, the tranquillity and enchantment of North Cork and the holiday atmosphere of East Cork, Cork is a land of diversity waiting to be discovered and enjoyed.

Cork City, Youghal, Cobh, Skibbereen and Kinsale all offer guided tours rich in stories of their fascinating maritime pasts. Bird watchers will enjoy a stroll along the cliffs at Ballycotton, or a forest walk in Glengarriff or Gougane Barra. Discover the woodlands and rolling green hills of the Ballyhoura Mountains where there are several loop-walks to follow. Whether you are seeking the challenge of a magnificent 18-hole championship golf course or an easy-going 9-hole outing, you will find something to suit in County Cork. Sailing continues to be a popular pastime along Cork's magnificent coastline.

Several coastal towns offer harbour cruises, or boat hire. Enjoy one of several Blue Flag beaches, where surf-boarding is a rapidly growing sport year-round, or dive in the pristine Atlantic waters, to explore the treasures of the deep. You can even go whale or dolphin watching – in Cork the opportunities are endless.