Why now? The Cork Jazz Festival, featuring Branford Marsalis and Courtney Pine among others, takes place from October 26-30. Even if you don't dig jazz there's plenty of other live music on in dozens of the city's pubs and clubs, much of it free. corkjazzfestival.com.

Getting there: Aer Lingus, BA, easyJet, Aer Aran, bmibaby, Jet2 and Ryanair all fly from the UK.

Where to stay and eat: Even non-veggies rave about Cafe Paradiso (16 Lancaster Quay, +21 427 7939, cafeparadiso.ie), one of Europe's foremost vegetarian restaurants. Pick up one of their award-winning cookbooks while you're there. Above the restaurant are three homely en suite double rooms for €160 B&B. The English Market on Princes Street is a feast of local produce. Upstairs, the Farmgate Cafe rustles up some of the seafood you'll have seen down below - try the oysters with a pint of Guinness.