Cork

Fancy puckering up to the Blarney Stone? It's time you made the pilgrimage to Cork. Not only could you acquire the legendary gift of the gab yourself, but it might also help you to keep up with the rapid, slang-strewn, singsong speech of the locals.

They're a cheerful, friendly lot in this neck of the woods: proud of their picturesque port city and generally happy to prove it by making full use of its atmospheric pubs. Which means there's no better way to find 'the real Cork' than to sink a drink - a Murphy's, mind, not a Guinness - in one of the local establishments.

Eire's second city lies amid remote countryside around 250km southwest of Dublin. Blessed with a peaceful, village-like atmosphere, and with a population numbering little over 100,000, it's a surprisingly cosmopolitan place. Plus, as designated European Capital of Culture 2005, it's getting better by the minute.

The town centre lies on an island between two channels of the River Lee, linked by a flurry of bridges to the rest of the city climbing the banks on either side. Exploring in and around it by foot is easy, taking in splendid St Fin Barr's Cathedral, the old City Gaol, the English Market, the prestigious Crawford Art Gallery and a brewery or two - just as a warm-up.

Ideal as a city-break destination, Cork is also the gateway to the rural charms of County Cork and County Kerry. Despite its fame, nearby Blarney Castle is by no means the best attraction on offer, ranked as it is beside the wild coastal scenery, green valleys, mountains, lakes, and old villages of the region.

Its famous stone is also quite a feat of agility to kiss - but probably well worth the effort for anyone who frequently finds themselves in hot water.