Cork is the second city of the Republic Of Ireland. It stands on the river Lee, some 14 miles upriver from the town of Cobh ( COVE) which lies at the mouth of the river at Cork Harbour. The city is the principal town of County Cork which is situated in the province of Munster, and is the largest county in Ireland.
The population of Cork is about 140,000 people, with another 30,000 or so living in the various satellite towns which surround the city.
Some of the most famous tourist attractions in Cork include such places as the world famous Blarney Castle. Blarney is situated in County Cork, about 5 miles north of the city. Blarney Castle contains the famous Blarney Stone. Legend has it that anyone who kisses the Blarney Stone, gains eloquence for life. Corkonians call it "The Gift Of The Gab"
The city has some very famous architectural attractions such as the famous Shandon Steeple in which are situated the Shandon Bells, and the Beautiful Church of Ireland Cathedral of St. FinnBarre. Other buildings of interest include the Cork City Hall, The Old Provincial Bank, The Old Cork Gaol (Now a museum of the times in which it was used), along with sites such as The Cork Heritage Centre, The University College, The Crawford Art Gallery, and various other churches including The church of SS Peter & Paul in the centre of the city, the internal architecture of which is not to be missed.
Cork City lies in a shallow valley with low hills to the north and south. The hills to the north are mostly built on and heavily populated while those to the south are less populated. Cork International Airport is situated atop the southern hills some 4 miles from the city centre. Flights to all major European cities can be taken from here.
Cork has a thriving Sea Port situated at Ringaskiddy in the harbour, but some sea traffic comes up the river to the eastern end of the city. In the past, ships used to come right into the centre of the city, but those days are long gone. Car Ferries now travel on a regular basis from the port to various destinations.
About 10 miles west of the city the river is dammed for use in the production of electricity. The lake thus formed is called the Inniscarra Lake. Many activities take place on this lake all year round, including Fishing, Water Skiing, Boating and the annual Cork City Regatta.
The town of Cobh lies 14 miles east of the city at Cork Harbour. Formerly known as Queenstown, it is from here that most Irish Emigrants left Ireland in the 19th. Century during the Irish Famine. It is still a port of call for some of the worlds largest passenger liners.
Across the harbour from Cobh lies the town of Crosshaven, home
of the Royal Cork Yacht Club, which is the oldest yacht club in
the world.
Cork City is managed by a municipal local authority called the Cork Corporation. The Government department of the Environment appoints managers to all local authorities, and a City Manager is therefore appointed to Cork Corporation. His task is to manage the day to day running, and future planning, of the city in conjunction with an elected council.
Cork is home to a variety of industries ranging from chemicals to computers, the range being too large to list. Ireland is the Silicon Valley of Europe, and Cork is the Silicon Valley of Ireland. Many computer and electronic companies have factories here. Company names of note include EMC² and The European Headquarters of Apple Computers.
Cork plays host to a number of festivals every year, including the Cork International Film Festival, The International Choral Festival, The International Jazz Festival and the Cork Folk Festival. These various events bring thousands of visitors to the city, and most of them come back sooner or later to resample the welcome they got the first time.
Cork is the ideal visitor base for touring the south of Ireland. To the east lies County Waterford home of the world famous Waterford Cut Glass, and to the west lies County Kerry where, just 55 miles from Cork City, lie the beautiful Lakes of Kilarney, in the shadow of Carràn Tuathail, the highest mountain in Ireland.