Cork City Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Cork City

The city of Cork, the second largest in Ireland after Dublin, with a population of around 180,000, sits at the mouth of the River Lee at the head of Cork harbour. It is built on marshland where the river divides to form an island that forms the heart of the city. (The city's Irish name, Corcaigh, means 'marshy place'.)

The capital of the largest and southernmost county in Ireland, Cork is a renowned centre of arts and culture, with a world famous jazz festival and an equally important film festival.

The city attracts writers, painters and those connected with the performing arts in droves, and its lively social scene can easily rival that of Dublin.

One of Cork's many charms is this watery setting and, with its narrow alleys and waterways, the city is reminiscent of Amsterdam. Like its Dutch cousin, Cork has culture, history and charm by the bucketload, yet still manages to retain its country town charm.

Cork has always been an important port and some of the city streets are actually built over channels where ships used to dock a century or more ago.

On the South Mall you can still see gateways at street level under steps leading to a higher door. These are former boathouses, and were used by merchants to reach their warehouses by boat. This is also where you'll see some of the finest examples of the city's Georgian architecture, in the form of those merchants' town houses.

The city is divided into north and south. North of the river is the Shandon area, the historic part of the city. To the south, you'll find most of the visitor attractions, such as the Anglican St Fin Barre's Cathedral, the Cork Museum, Cork Gaol and the City Hall.

But this isn't a city where you carry around a thick guidebook, ticking 'been there, done that' as you race through the streets. Rather it's a place for ambling around at a leisurely Irish pace to see what surprise awaits you round the next corner, be it a fine Georgian building, a welcoming pub or a tiny shop selling traditional musical instruments.

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Population: 4.015.700
Languages: English, Irish (Gaelic) (both official)
Currency: euro
Currency code: EUR
Local Times:
Ireland - Dublin

Country Dialling Code: +353
Voltage: 220 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
3 large flat prongs

Ireland is situated in the Atlantic Ocean and separated from Great Britain by the Irish Sea. Ireland occupies the entire island except for the six counties that make up Northern Ireland. The Irish landscape has a mythic resonance, the country's history is almost tangible. And while it may be small, Ireland packs a big holiday punch. There are windswept, deserted beaches to discover, a rugged coastline, mountains and lochs, the stark landscape of the Burren and lush countryside that dazzles the eye with so many shades of green you understand at once why the tourist brochures call this the Emerald Isle.

Ireland's main cities include:

Dublin (Baile Átha Cliath) - the capital and the country's largest city. With excellent pubs, fine architecture and good shopping, Dublin is a very popular tourist destination and is the fourth most visited European capital.
Cork (Corcaigh) - second largest city in the Republic of Ireland - located on the banks of the River Lee. Founded c.600 by St. Finbarre and known for good food, pubs, shopping and festivals.
Galway (Gaillimh) - a city on the river Corrib on the west coast of Ireland. Famous for its festivals and its location on Galway Bay. Known as the City of Tribes, Galway's summer is filled with festivals of music, food, Gaelic language and culture. Galway hosts over fifty festivals a year, including the Galway Oyster Festival. The locals seem to give off a positive Bohemian vibe. Galway is split between two types of beautiful landscape: the gorgeous mountains to the west, and the east's farming valleys.
Killarney - Possibly (at least until recently) the most popular tourist destination in Ireland. A pleasant town in its own right, it is also the start of most Ring of Kerry trips.
Kilkenny (Cill Chainnigh) - attractive medieval town, known as the Marble City - home to the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, held annually in early June.
Letterkenny - Main town in County Donegal, designated gateway status and reputed to be the fastest growing town in Europe. Good base for traveling in Donegal.
Limerick (Luimneach) - a city on the river Shannon in the south-west of the country.
Sligo (Sligeach)- Home to W.B. Yeats, internationally renowned poet. Mountains and beaches, scenery in general are the best points of Sligo.
Waterford (Port Láirge) - Ireland's oldest city. In the south-east and close to the ferry port at Rosslare. Waterford is a popular visit for those who want to learn more about the most ancient history of Ireland. It is quite possibly one of the best cities in the country as it is not too large and is full of history. Many festivals take place throughout the year including ((Spraoi)). The food is good and the Granary Museum is the best for ancient Irish history in the country. Don't forget to try a blaa before you leave. (A floury bread bun peculiar to this area of Ireland).

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Cork City Travel Guide

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