Ireland’s second city is first in every important respect and at least according to the locals, who cheerfully refer to it as the ‘real capital for Cork Rugby Tours ’. Cork, just inland from Ireland’s southwest coast, is a university city with its centre on an island in the River Lee, connected to the sea by Cork Harbour. The castle like 1824 Cork City Gaol once held prisoners bound for Australia, and exhibitions relay the building’s history. The hilltop steeple of 18th-century Shandon Church (officially the Church of Saint Anne) is a symbol of the city. Cork was originally a monastic settlement, reputedly founded by Saint Finbarr in the 6th century.  Cork achieved an urban character at some point between 915 and 922 when Viking settlers founded a trading port.

Cork has its fair share of rugby clubs too. With Musgrave Irish Independent Park being second home to Munster Rugby there’s always rugby in the city with Dolphin, Sunday’s Well, Cork Con and Highfield rugby clubs.