Cork

The Irish who live in Cork are very proud of their lively city, which they consider to have a quality and level of life greater than all the island’s other cities, and even the capital Dublin; some even believe that it is the true capital of Ireland. The tree-lined streets, attractive avenues and alleys intriguingly dotted here and there make the almost magical essence of the place loved by visitors from first sight.

 

Culture is one of Cork’s specialities and its artistic life is always very animated. Art, classical music and jazz festivals alternate at a rapid pace; the Crawford Art Gallery displays stained glass panels by Harry Clarke, the Irish magician of artistic stained glass windows, and casts of sculptures by Canova, donated in 1884 by the Vatican Museums to the Cork Society of Art. Among these is the Belvedere Torso, the Laocoon and the Discobolus.

 

There are also unique aspects of the history of the country: the Cork City Gaol displays, for example, a slice of life of inmates in the nineteenth century, who were considered heroes and a source of national pride for having fought for Irish independence against Great Britain. But culture is also found on the streets, in Plunkett Street and St. Patrick Street, which even during the day are brought to life by the songs of artists, while at night they are animated by the sound of music from the pubs, which gives the streets a fascinating atmosphere, and it is for this vivacity that Cork was named European Capital of Culture in 2005.

 

The chief city of the county of the same name, Cork is the Ireland’s second city after Dublin. It is crossed by the River Lee which makes it an important maritime port and which divides into two meanders creating an island in the centre.
There are two important and spectacular churches in the city: the Catholic St. Mary’s Cathedral, and the Protestant St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, which was built in a towering and striking Neo-gothic style.

 

 

An experience not to be missed is a live show of traditional Irish music in one of the city’s many pubs.
However, to fully explore every experience that the city offers, we recommend a guided tour: Cork City Tours manages a fleet of open-topped double-decker buses, which run every day. The Cork Fabulous Tasting Trail is also another experience to try. It takes place on a Saturday morning and lasts three hours.