Located on the south coast of Ireland, Cork is the largest city in the province of Munster and the country’s second city after the infamous Dublin. The heart of the city is uniquely located on an island in the River Lee with many bridges connecting to other parts of Cork.
The city’s name ‘Cork’ comes from the Irish word meaning ‘marshy place’, which correlates with its location on the River Lee. This beautiful river flows from the south part of the city to one of the largest natural harbors in the world, Cork Harbor. It even has its very own motto Statio Bene Fide Carinis – ‘a safe harbor for ships’.
In the northwest of Cork, a happy traveler can find one of Ireland’s oldest castles, the majestic Blarney Castle in Blarney. Famous for its stone, the Stone of Eloquence, it is believed to have the power to bestow the ‘gift of gab’ on all those who kiss it. It also makes for a great picture with loved ones!
Crawford Municipal Art Gallery, located beside the Opera House in the heart of the city, has a permanent collection consisting over 2,000 works of art, ranging from 18th-century Irish and European painting and sculpture, through to modern video installations. The collection also features a number of Greek and Roman sculptures, brought to Cork in 1818 from the Vatican Museum in Rome.
Cork is a wonderful city, offering many great sights, history, and friendly social atmospheres. While travelers can check off the list of kissing the blarney stone and seeing original 18th century art, one must never forget to visit an Irish pub to complete the list of an Irish vacation. There are many scattered about Cork giving you an abundance of options to enjoy traditional Irish food and drink! Erin go bragh!