CORK ( Corcaigh )

Cork comes from the Irish Corcaigh ie marsh. Ridges of sandstone cut across the country. The Gulf Stream touches Cork therefore Cork gets reasonably warm weather. The Battle of Kinsale took place in County Cork in 1601. Michael Collins, Ireland's most famous revolutionary.

Cork is the largest county in Ireland, and is known as the Rebel County; two of its favourite sons are Michael Collins, and another rebel of sorts, Manchester United’s Roy Keane. The Titanic made its last stop here before its fateful journey in 1912. The jagged Cork coastline is famed for its magnificent scenery - especially in the southwest. Picturesque Kinsale is known as the 'gourmet capital of Ireland'.

West Cork is renowned the world over for its wild, rugged beauty and is favoured by walkers, climbers and artists alike. Further west you'll find Mizen Head and the Beara Peninsula, famous for their breathtaking rock formations, sheer cliffs and charming villages.

Cork is Ireland’s second-largest city, and sits on an island between two channels of the river Lee. It's known as a laid-back, relaxed place, where you can enjoy great music, theatre and visual arts. Why not walk around Fitzgerald's Park, or relax in the city's many traditional and modern bars? Food lovers can sample local specialties at the English Food Market, or eat out in some of Cork's excellent restaurants. The city also has a great selection of nightclubs.

The Cork Kerry region of South-West Ireland is one of the most attractive holiday areas in Ireland. This area has a spectacular coastline of over 1,000 km and has Ireland’s highest mountain Carrauntoohil at 1,039 m. This Region also has Ireland’s most southerly point and the most westerly point.

The Cork Kerry Region is a region of scenic contrasts. The long indented coastline blends with spectacular mountains, and the many rivers and lakes combine with these mountains to give a landscape that offers much to the visitor.
This is a region where activity holidays play a large role in holiday plans, and County Cork has hosted the Irish Open Golf Championships on a number of occasions in recent years. Long distance walking is very popular in the region, as are the many cycle routes. In all about 1,000 kms of developed walking routes are available and about the same distance of developed or planned cycling routes await the visitor.
With such a long coastline sea and shore fishing is widely available as is excellent game angling. Good Coarse angling facilities are available in County Cork.
Visitors have been enjoying this Region for about 250 years and many of these early travellers visited Killarney in County Kerry and Blarney in County Cork. The Cork Kerry region is also a special part of Ireland that has hosted many international festivals and events including a Stage finish of The Tour de France cycle race and the Eurovision Song Contest. Cork City has been designated European Capital of Culture for 2005.

The County of Cork shares with Kerry the south-western corner of Ireland. Washed by the warm Gulf Stream and the mild moist south winds, palm trees and bamboo flourish. It is the most favoured corner of Ireland: here Spring begins.

Cork is the largest of all the Irish counties, and in many ways the most varied. Rich farmlands and river valleys contrast with the wild sandstone hills of the west. Above all there is the magnificent coastline, scooped and fretted by the Atlantic into great bays and secret coves, strewn with rocky headlands and long soft golden strands.
The main features of County Cork include the long valleys of the River Blackwater, the Lee Valley and the valley of the River Bandon. Roads in general follow the river valleys. The county of Cork covers just less than 3000 sq. miles and the capital of the county is Cork City at the mouth of the River Lee.
The northern part of County Cork has high mountains and is totally different in character to other parts of the county. The western part of the county is a most important tourism area with its many miles of coastline and spectacular scenery. The inhabited islands of Cork are also located off the West Cork coastline. The islands are very special places and are well worth visiting for a day visit or longer break. Cork is an important dairy county.

Both Cork and Kerry have a very strong archaeological and historical heritage and many surviving monuments can be visited. Visitors should seek permission before entering private property. Some of these monuments are National Monuments and are in the care of the State.
The first settlers in Ireland were the Mesolithic people who reached Ireland about 9,000 years ago. While the concentration of known sites is in the north east of Ireland, there is evidence of such early settlement around Cork Harbour.
There are over 80 stone circles to be found in the Region, especially in County Cork; their prehistoric use is somewhat obscure, but they probably had a ritualistic purpose. It is in the south west that the majority of Ireland’s Ogham Stones are found. This was an early form of writing dating from approximately 300 AD, using lines and strokes cut into the edges of stones.
 

Popular events include the Cork Jazz Festival, and the annual film and folk festivals. For a great view, visitors should climb Shandon Tower - and have a go at ringing the bells!