‘Where to go, where to go, where to go?!!’ Familiar words to be heard among groups of visiting tourists, spoilt for choice and indecisive about their first night’s adventure in the nightlife capital of Ireland…Cork City. Envied by most of the rest of the country for its wealth of entertainment, for all ages, Cork’s vibrant streets are packed with many pubs, clubs and restaurants. Take in a movie in one of the city’s cinemas or see a play in one of its theatres,Cork City nightlife will always satisfy a person’s social needs.

The three main streets in Cork which provide the most in the way of nightlife are St. Patrick street, St. Oliver Plunkett street, and Washington street. Among these streets are to be found the majority of pubs, clubs and restaurants, thereby being the streets where most life is to be found.

The best thing about Cork City is that it is contained. By that I mean that everything is within walking distance! No costly taxi rides to the other end of town, no ‘gambling’ on a spot, only to find out that you’ve made a big mistake upon arrival because the place is dead! No, in Cork City, if you want to move from a particular spot for any reason, your mind is at ease because you know that you won’t have to walk until your feet bleed to reach the next lively pub, restaurant or club!

Cork City is also known to be a lot safer than most cities. On account of it being ‘contained’ as mentioned earlier, the city is very hospitable to those who wish to go out and enjoy themselves. Of course, as with any city, a cautionary attitude is always something which should be practised. But for the most part, Cork city is just a good spot to go out, eat, drink, be entertained, and be merry!

Whether it’s a traditional Irish music session you are looking for or a night on the club dance floor, a taste of Irish cuisine or just a trip to McDonalds!! All your needs are met and satisfied. Cork City’s diverse selection of entertainment is renowned throughout Ireland and meets everyone’s social ‘scene’ and expectations. Indeed, many people from throughout the country make regular weekend visits to Cork City, in part because it offers perhaps the best ‘atmosphere’ to be found on these shores.

One of perhaps the biggest dates on the social calendar must be the Guinness Jazz Festival, which occurs over one weekend in October, each year. It is known around the world for the atmosphere and festival spirit which saturate the streets of Cork city and the friendliness and interaction between the countless visitors from near and far that make the journey for this event. Over a thousand musicians from around the world, some of the finest in their field, play in between 70 and 90 venues around the city. It is something to behold indeed! Other festivals that happen in Cork throughout the year include the ‘Cork International Film Festival’ and the ‘Cork Comedy Festival’ and only add more to the diversity and uniqueness of this wonderful city. Finally, I must mention of course , Saint Patrick’s Day! Perhaps the most Irish day of the year for most people. I will write an article shortly on the history of Saint Patrick, but also I will describe what can be expected for any tourist when visiting Cork, or indeed any part of Ireland, at this time of year.