The cheery folk of Cork won’t blame you when get behind the wheel of your hire car and put the city in the rear-view mirror. In fact they’ll proudly tell you that Blarney Castle is just down the road, fresh-from-the-water seafood is cracking in Kinsale, oh, and Cobh is good for a day out too, if you like maritime history. They’ll give you a great big Cork welcome when you come back too.

The harbour town of Cork is a great destination for a short break or family holiday. Located in the province of Munster in southern Ireland, it has a number of attractions and makes an excellent base for exploring the south by car.

Blarney Castle and its famous stone are within easy reach for day trips. In the evening, enjoy a bit of Cork hospitality in any one of the town’s many pubs or restaurants.

Most travellers usually go out of their way to avoid the local prison when on holiday but Cork City Gaol is well worth a visit. Cork Butter Museum (yes, really) is also a popular attraction. It is located in the Shandon area of the city, where the Church of St Anne overlooks the River Lee. And back across the river, St Fin Barre’s Cathedral is worth a look too.

Cork is full of culture and has an impressive literary history. Don't miss the amazing Crawford Art Gallery and the stunning Opera House. Thirsty visitors may also be interested in the twice-weekly tours held in the Beamish Brewery.

Getting to Cork is easy, with many flights from the UK touching down at Cork Airport (ORK). With car hire, Cork Airport is within just 15 minutes of central destinations. Pre-book Cork car hire and decide whether to collect your car at the airport or from a downtown location. Picking up your car upon arrival at the airport means you can avoid the transfer costs of getting into Cork city centre (a taxi fare is around 15 euros). And with car-hire rates starting from just a few pounds per day, getting into and around Cork on your own steam should save you money throughout your stay.

It is the adventures outside the city, however, that make car hire a travel essential. Read on to find out more about nearby attractions and then compare car-hire deals on TravelSupermarket.

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Life travels at a much slower pace in County Cork, where the twists and turns of the craggy coastline give way to castles, stone circles, fishing villages and beaches that sweep your troubles away. Travelling to the county’s furthest, craggiest reaches can take up to two hours, so create an Irish road trip and pre-book hotels before you go (or go mobile and find our best deals on the day).

County Wexford and County Kerry are also within driving distance. Both have sandy beaches, plenty of places to eat and drink and, of course, sights to see. Again, it might be a stretch to travel here and back to Cork in one day, so create the perfect itinerary using our clever planning tool, My Suitcase (where you can save and share all the best deals).

Wexford is packed with history from Viking times and you can follow the Wexford Heritage Trail to fill your break with culture and history. You'll also find the world's oldest lighthouse and the Irish Agricultural Museum.

In Kerry, you can drive to Dingle and take in the fantastic views on the Ring of Kerry or spot dolphins out at sea. Visit Ireland's highest mountain, Carrauntoohil, and Muckross House and National Park before enjoying some traditional evening entertainment in one of the many pubs.

Search wider, plan smarter and Travel Super to Cork (and the rest of southern Ireland) with TravelSupermarket.