Destination Overview
Situated on an estuary that opens onto the Atlantic Ocean, the
Republic of Ireland's second largest city has been likened to
Dublin without the traffic; it is crammed with cosy pubs and
cultural attractions.There is a great rivalry between Cork and Dublin, and the
majority of Cork's residents see themselves as distinctly different
from the rest of Ireland. Cork is vibrant and cheerful, with music,
theatre and film all playing a major role in city life, while
world-renowned annual festivals add to the lively atmosphere,
making it the European Capital of Culture 2005. Cork is also the
gastronomic capital of Ireland, with the widest variety of top
class restaurants in the country, while nearby Kinsale, also known
for its host of award-winning pubs and restaurants, hosts the
annual Gourmet Festival.Located in the southwest, County Cork is the largest county,
noted for its maritime identity and impressive coastal scenery as
well as being the site of Ireland's most famous attraction, the
Blarney Stone. The city is a major seaport and is built around the
waterways of the River Lee, connected by numerous bridges; Cork
harbour is one of the largest natural harbours in the world. Sights
include the 19th century Cork City Jail, the protestant Finbarr's
Cathedral, and the Cork Museum, which is largely given over to the
nationalist struggle in which Cork played an important role.
Popular day trips from Cork include Kinsale and the beautiful
coastal scenery of County Kerry, including the Dingle
Peninsula.
