Cork is 258km (160 miles) SW of Dublin, 206km (128 miles) SE of Galway, 101km (63 miles) S of Limerick, 122km (76 miles) S of Shannon Airport, 126km (78 miles) W of Waterford, and 87km (54 miles) E of Killarney

Cork City (pop. 125,000) is developing a reputation as a kind of Dublin South. It's far smaller than the capital, but Cork is a busy, attractive, artsy place, and home to a major university that keeps the local population young. For travelers, it makes a great place to base yourself while your exploring the region, with its lively music scene and a burgeoning foodie culture that rivals Dublin's.