This city is the second largest in Ireland. Cork is located on the River Lea. Most of its streets are canals, along the banks of which there are colorful houses. Cork was originally founded on swampy lands, for which he was awarded his name - corcaigh translates as "swamp".
Location
The city of Cork in Ireland is located in the south-west of the country, on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. This is a large industrial center where the computer and pharmaceutical industries are actively developing, replacing the old manufactories that have fallen into decay.
Despite the fact that Cork is a city located in a territory that is remote from the sea, in fact it is connected to it by the narrow Passage West canal and the harbour. The city center is an island sandwiched between two tributaries of the Li River, which are called the North and South Channels. Several bridges have been built across the river that flows into Mahon Lake.
History of the founding of the city
The first mention of the cityCork in Ireland, researchers attribute to the VI-VII centuries. In these ancient times Saint Finbarr founded a monastery on this land. By the 12th century, the settlement that had formed around the monastery had become the main city of the Southern Munstra kingdom. Irish rule was short-lived - by 1185 the city was under British control. After that, he changed hands many times due to the ongoing struggle between the British and the Irish.
Cork peaked in the 18th century. However, a century later, a famine in County Cork in Ireland actually deprived Cork of its population - some of the inhabitants hastily left it, some died of starvation. As a result - a sharp decline in the birth rate. The original Irish city of Cork played a special role in the struggle for the independence of the country. IRA officer and city mayor Thomas McCurtan was killed in 1920 by members of the British special forces. Terence McSweeney, his successor, died after a 75-day hunger strike in Brixton Prison in London.
On December 11, 1920, the same special detachment actually burned down the central part of the city during a punitive action against IRA activists. The city of Cork in Ireland, whose photo you can see in the article, became the site of active hostilities until the end of the War of Independence (July 1921).
Climatic conditions
Cork's climate is strongly influenced by the North Atlantic Current. Thanks to him, an oceanic temperate climate was formed here. Winter in the city is humid and warm (+4…+7°C). At this time, storms and hurricanes are not uncommon in the city.
Summer weather in Cork (Ireland) is quite mild, not very rainy, the average temperature is +20 °C. The most favorable time to visit this city is the period from July to August inclusive.
Nature
It should be noted that tourists often go to Cork in Ireland just to visit the Wildlife Park and see with their own eyes more than a hundred species of exotic animals: giraffes and penguins, pandas and zebras and many other rare representatives of the fauna. Geese, swans, ducks feel comfortable near the reservoirs of the park.
Attractions
Due to the long and interesting history of the locality, the sights of Cork in Ireland can interest even the most sophisticated travelers. We will introduce you to some of them in this article.
Cathedral of St. Finbarra
The city's Anglican Cathedral was named after Saint Finbarr, who is revered by the locals as the patron saint of Cork. The cathedral is located near the city center, where, according to historians, there was an ancient monastery founded in the 7th century. The school founded under him was the stronghold of knowledge in Ireland during the Middle Ages.
Later there were several churches on this site, the last of them was destroyed in the early sixties of the last century specifically to build the Cathedral of St. Finbarr. The temple was built in the Neo-Gothic style from decorative Bata stone and Kork limestone. Its walls are lined with redmarble.
Interior and exterior decoration of the cathedral, including more than 1200 sculptures, mosaics, furniture, was designed by William Burges. Some elements were completed after his death. Of particular note are the magnificent stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the New and Old Testaments. They are recognized as one of the best in the country. Very interesting and amazing pulpit, antique organ (1870), floor mosaics.
Fort Elizabeth
Every year, thousands of tourists visit Cork in Ireland. What to see here for history buffs? An ancient fortress built at the beginning of the 17th century by decree of the Lord Chairman George Carew. The name of the fort was given in honor of the then ruling Queen of England and Ireland, Elizabeth I.
An important historic site, Fort Elizabeth, has been handed over to Cork City Council. Today, the fort is being actively developed as a tourist attraction and it is only partially open to visitors, but those who wish can climb the fortress walls and enjoy enchanting panoramic views. Fairs and festivals are held periodically in the fort.
English market
The Municipal Food Market is located in the heart of Cork, Ireland (see photo below). It is one of the largest in Europe and one of the city's most popular and visited attractions. The construction of the market started in September 1786, and only two years later the first pavilions were officially opened, in which they sold only meat.
Subsequently grew up around themhuge market, which greatly expanded the range. By the middle of the 19th century, it was called the "English Market". It has become more prestigious than St. Peter's Market, which was founded nearby in the forties, and is better known as the "Irish Market".
In the summer of 1980, a massive fire severely damaged the complex. The City Council has allocated significant funds for renovation work and has ordered the contractor to restore the market in accordance with the original plans, preserving the unique Victorian style.
Blackrock Castle
On the picturesque banks of the River Lea, two kilometers from the center of Cork, is Blackrock Castle, one of the most interesting sights in County Cork. The first tower of the castle was erected in 1600. Initially, the castle was built as a defensive structure, but very soon it became a place where balls and other entertainment events were held for the local nobility.
After the devastating fire of 1827 and subsequent reconstruction, Blackrock was transformed. It was at this time that he received his current architectural appearance. The oldest structure of the castle is a round massive tower, well preserved to this day, with a diameter of 10.5 meters and walls 2.2 meters thick. At the very beginning of the 21st century, as part of the Castle Space project, with the participation of an unknown private patron, Cork City Council and the Blackrock Institute of Technology, a science center with an observatory equipped with modern technologies was created.
Tourists get great pleasure from visiting the first interactiveastronomical center of the country, where they have the opportunity to become a member of a virtual tour of the universe.
Crawford Art
Art lovers should definitely visit the Cork State Art Gallery in Ireland. It is located in the city center and is one of the most interesting cultural attractions of the country. More than 200,000 art lovers visit it every year.
The exposition of the Crawford Art Gallery is extensive and varied - sculpture, painting, engravings, drawings. The collection includes over 2.5 thousand pieces of fine art from the 17th century to the present day. They perfectly illustrate the history of the development of not only Irish, but also European culture.
From 1825 to the present time, the collection has been located in the customs building. During its history, which is calculated in three centuries, it has experienced two major reconstructions (1884 and 2000). The oldest part of the building was erected in 1724. The gallery regularly hosts various exhibitions, information and educational seminars and lectures. On the ground floor there is a cozy cafe where you can have lunch or a cup of aromatic coffee with a cake.
Red Abbey Tower
One of the iconic sights of the city of Cork in Ireland. The abbey tower was built in the Middle Ages and today is the oldest building in the city. This is the only building that has survived to our time from the Red Abbey, which the monks-Augustinians founded at the beginning of the XIV century. It was so named because of the reddish sandstone used in the construction of the monastery.
At the beginning of the 18th century, the Augustinians built a new monastery on Fishamble Lane and never returned to the old monastery. For some time there was a sugar factory on the territory of the Red Abbey, but after a fire (1799), most of the abbey was so badly damaged that it could not be restored. Later, all buildings, with the exception of the tower, which once served as the bell tower of the ancient monastery church, were demolished.
University College Cork
A higher education institution in Cork, Ireland. In accordance with the decree of Queen Victoria, the university was founded in 1845. It became one of the three Royal Colleges located on the Emerald Isle. They were based in Belfast, Galway and Cork. The new educational institution is located in a very picturesque place on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Li River.
For the residents of the city, this place is symbolic, and it was not chosen by chance. It is believed that it is closely related to Saint Finbarr, who paid much attention to education. Today, the University College is one of the leading research institutes and a prestigious educational institution in the country. It is a member of the Union of Universities of Ireland, is a member of the Association of European Universities.
The college has undergone numerous changes throughout its history. They are associated not only with its name, but also with a significant expansion of the boundaries of the educational institution. Today it is a huge knowledge center withresearch and teaching buildings, campus, art gallery, etc. More than 20,000 students study here.
Church of St. Anna
The building is located in the oldest district of the city of Cork - Shandon - and is considered one of its calling cards. The church bell tower is a tower over 50 meters high. Its northern and eastern sides are covered with red sandstone, while the southern and western walls are covered with white limestone and decorated with huge clocks.
There is a weather vane in the form of a huge fish on the spire of the tower. Its length is more than four meters. It is believed to symbolize the fishing industry, which played an important role in Cork's economic prosperity. The tower is well visible from different parts of the city and is a good reference point for tourists. The tower also has an observation deck located at a height of 40 meters, which offers magnificent views of the city and the Li River.
Great and the interior design of the temple. Here, of particular interest is the stone font, which was still in the old temple, which dates back to 1629, and stunning stained-glass windows.
Cork in Ireland: reviews of tourists
The vast majority of travelers who have visited this Irish city were satisfied with their trip. Despite its small size (37.3 sq. km), Cork has many attractions and memorable places. Impressive small buildings, painted in different bright colors. If you arrive in the city in July orAugust, good sunny and cool weather will help you to walk around the city and sightseeing.
