Two Cork towns are ranked among safest to live in Ireland 

Cobh, Co Cork, is the second-safest town in Ireland. Picture Denis Minihane.

Two Cork towns are among the safest to live in the country, while Castlebar, in Mayo, has been ranked the best for work-life balance, according to a new study.

The research, carried out by switcher.ie, is based on multiple factors, including access to local amenities, such as shops, schools, GP services and cafés, broadband speed and mobile coverage. It also takes house prices, transport, green spaces, and crime rates into account.