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For just four days in October the city of Cork is transformed into a swinging Jazz festival. Taking place over the October long weekend the Cork’s Guinness Jazz festival is a great place to experience some of the best jazz music from all over. More than 120 different jazz acts will be performing on 28 stages, which will be set up across the city. The fun will begin on Friday the 23^rd of October and continue into the night on Monday the 26^th of October 2009.

Building on the success of previous years, this Jazz festival offers not just a chance to listen to the music but also a chance to get involved. A number of workshops are will be available throughout the weekend so visitors can learn all about this great musical style and what makes it different from other forms of music. There is also a chance to learn how to develop your ‘inner pulse’ as well as gaining a better appreciation for the importance of each instrument in making the sound. Admission is free but places are strictly limited so it is recommended to get there early in order to secure a place. For those who are new Jazz the Cork’s Guinness Jazz festival is a great place to find out more.

With a wide range of jazz styles being played from cool jazz to free jazz the festival will also be a hit with those who are already a fan. The main three venues for the music will be the Everyman Palace Theatre, The Cork Opera House and the Trisket Arts Centre. There will also be a number of events taking place through the city with over forty clubs, pubs and bars hosting Jazz acts.

Cork city is located in the province of Munster and is one of the traditional cities of Ireland. Steeped in History it truly is a beautiful city in which to wander and soak up the culture. Situated on the River Lee, the city centre has been shaped by the river’s channels. Cork’s Harbour is truly stunning and is the world’s second largest natural harbour, beaten to the title only by Sydney Harbour in Australia. A great number of the buildings in the city centre have been built in a Georgian style, which gives a great feel for times gone past.

Interspersed amongst this living history are a number of examples of great modern architecture including the County Hall tower. There are a number of great accommodation options in the city for those wishing to stay, which range in price from budget to luxury. Visitors who come to the Jazz festival may also wish to take some time to visit the surrounding area, which is home to some stunning countryside as well as a number of satellite towns. One of the best ways to get around is to hire a car for the duration of stay, which will make seeing the City of Cork, the Jazz and the nearby area, easy and stress free.