Throughout Ireland you can see impressive sites where the ancient and the modern go hand in hand. Nowhere is this combination more striking than at Blackrock Castle, home to Ireland’s first interactive astronomy centre.

Situated by the banks of the River Lee, University College Cork is a gorgeous, ornate gothic structure with a rich reputation for academic excellence.

Shop for fresh produce from around the world and sample traditional Cork dishes at this historic food market inside a grand Victorian building.

Get tickets for a show at Cork Opera House, a popular theatre in Cork. Discover the lively bars in this walkable area or seek out the local tours.

Experience the harshness of Irish penal life in the 19th century as you wander amid the cells of this architecturally impressive former prison.

Take in views of the River Lee from this 18th-century bridge and wander through Cork’s city center via one of the city’s most historic streets.