Cork City is situated in the South of Ireland on the River Lee and is the 2nd biggest city in the country. It should be a part of any Irish tour as it is steeped in history and offers much to see and do for any visitors. It is a traditional city pieced together with small narrow streets and high hills.

Here is a list of five thing considered to be a must see/do.

1) Give the Blarney Stone a kiss

The Blarney Stone site should be your first port of call. It is located on the outskirts of the city in a picturesque area. It is believed that the stone bestows "the gift of the gab" on those who kiss it. This means that you will never be short of things to say and be a real charmer.

Cork people of course believe they are born with this gift so don't need to kiss the stone!

2) Do some hard time

Visit the Old City Gaol (jail) which is now a heritage centre. Get a feeling of 19th century prison life. Many were sentenced to hard time here for menial crimes such as stealing food. The jail has been maintained to look similar to the way it was when it opened in 1840.

Ships were arranged to deport many of the prisoners to Australia and the USA. Visitors from these countries often trace their family roots back to Cork. There is certainly an uncomfortable feeling when walking the corridors and cells of this old building

3) Have a pint of plain

Guinness is something that often comes to mind when people think about Ireland. In Cork however there are similar but more popular locally brewed drinks called Murphy's and Beamish. Cork people swear that their drink is superior to Guinness.

Get yourself into one of Cork's many many pubs and decide for yourself.

4) Utterly Butterly

Cork - the butter mountain of Ireland back in the day so I'm told. Butter was sent from Cork to locations throughout the world. Cork land is ideal for butter manufacturing. The butter museum allows you to get a glimpse into the life of a butter worker and the long working days which were endured.

5) Go Hiking

Well not quite but if you can make it to the top of the bell tower of St. Ann's in Shandon you will have got some good exercise. You can often hear the bells ringing by themselves on Cork's windier days. Give em a bash while you are up there.

They say one visit to Cork is never enough so don't surprised if you are itching to get back again and again. Cork is a unique wonderful city. There is nowhere quite like it. Try it yourself and see what I mean.