IRELAND : CORK
Cork
(Irish : Corcaigh) is the second largest city of Ireland. It has 186.000
inhabitants. It is also the capital of County Cork in the Munster
province, at the south coast of the island. The river Lee passes through
Cork. Actually, the largest part of the city lies on an island in the
estuary of the river. Cork’s harbour ranks among the largest natural
harbours in the world. Cork also has an airport.
The name
Cork is derived for the gaelic “corgaigh”, which means “swamp area”, a
clear reference to the situation of the city in the estuary of the river
Lee. Cork has an reputation for being “independent”, already since the
time of the Viking invasions until the time of the Irish Civil War.
It’s nickname
is “Rebel Cork”. Cork is sometimes jokingly called “Ireland’s real
capital”. Dublin stayed under English authority longer than Cork.
Cork’s
city rights go back to the 13th century. Evidence shows that there has
been a monastery, founded by Saint Finbar in 1172. Through the ages, the
city has been ravaged and rebuilt several times. During the Irish war
for Independence, Cork was largely destroyed by a fire that was started
by the British army.
Cork used to have city walls, but only small parts of that wall still
exist today.
There are
two large cathedrals : St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Finbar’s Cathedral.
As one of the only cities in Ireland Cork has a modern opera house. The
centre of Cork can easily compete with Dublin or Belfast as far as
architecture is concerned. The main shopping street (Patrick Street) has
recently been renovated.
