... why not spend your lunch hour outdoors?
DUBLIN
St Stephen's Green The sanctuary of choice for suits, students and pickpockets can have the feel of a Ganges bathing ceremony site around lunchtime. Open-air concerts in summer.
Iveagh Gardens Rambling, secluded, grown-over and idyllic. No longer the best-kept secret, but still less crowded than the Green. Between Harcourt Street and Earlsfort Terrace.
College Park, Trinity College Quiet and central. If tense, fast-moving sport is your thing, sit with your back to the cricket pitch.
Phoenix Park With 1,752 acres, finding a patch of grass is unproblematic. Except during Papal visits.
Merrion Square Nicely designed, immaculately manicured, and near all the best delis.
Dubh Linn Gardens (near Chester Beatty Library) Refined, minimalist and well hidden. A gem.
Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square Austere little park, not as dilapidated as it was. Restricted access for the disabled.
Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin Colourful and pretty, with a plant collection of some 20,000 species and cultivars. And for real peace, head to the cemetery nearby.
CORK
Peace Park Not a hideaway, but ideal for watching the city pass by.
Lee Fields On the outskirts of the city, the river walks are ideal for picnics.
Bishop Lucey Park Surrounded by the old City Wall, this is the most central and most peaceful place for an inner-city outdoor lunch.
The Lough A 15-minute walk from Patrick Street. The birds will be delighted with your leftovers.
Emmet Place In the vicinity of the Art Gallery and Cork Opera House, the location is great for those in a hurry.
Fitzgerald Park The hidden Eden of Cork. With ornamental ponds and colourful gardens, this is the ideal getaway.
GALWAY
Bruach na Coirbe A man-made walk between a former mill race and the Corrib; perfect for soaking up the city atmosphere.
Spanish Arch, Claddagh Close to the city centre, with benches and pleasant views over the Atlantic.
Kennedy Square, Eyre Square Popular, and close to city-centre eateries. Renovations are ongoing, so stay away unless you fancy eating on the seat of a digger.
Eyre Square Stores On the west side of the Square; has a handy sandwich bar.
The University About 10 minutes' walk from Eyre Square, with an abundance of sunny green areas to eat, and an opportunity to do so at student prices! The College Bar provides tasty sandwiches, and the walk beside the Corrib towards Dangan is a relaxing place to while away a lunch break.
Salthill Further out, the sea-side location is ideal. Both Centra and Subway provide good sandwich bars adjacent to the Promenade.
Lisbeg Lawn North of the city. Large green area, easily accessible, but with scarcity of delis. Bring your lunch.
Compiled by Denise Coughlan, Tony McDonnell and Ruadhán Mac Cormaic