| Founded in the sixth century, Cork is the second | | | | match what was not burned. One such building is the |
| largest city in Ireland with a 2006 population of 119,000. | | | | neoclassical City Hall by the river. |
| The city center is actually located on an island in the | | | | Cork's most famous building is Shannon Church |
| River Lee. As the city expanded, it spread out along | | | | Tower, containing the Bells of Shannon. It sits atop a hill |
| the banks, and thus it is a city of bridges. | | | | on the city's North Side and dominates the landscape. It |
| Although Cork has a history of rebelliousness, and has | | | | is the city's icon, and has two sides faced in red |
| thus earned the nickname of "the Rebel County", the | | | | sandstone and two sides faced in white limestone. It |
| legendary Irish welcome and friendliness will endear | | | | also has a clock on each of the four sides which |
| you to the city. | | | | appear to all tell a different time. |
| Cork is a major Irish seaport; just down river exists the | | | | Also worth seeing is Ireland's longest building -- a |
| world's second-largest natural harbor (after Sydney), | | | | converted Victorian mental hospital which now serves |
| and there are quays and docks all along the banks of | | | | as residential housing. The County Hall Tower was |
| the city's east side. | | | | once the tallest building in Ireland, and you should |
| There are many interesting historical sights to see in | | | | venture up to the restaurant in the top of the building |
| Cork, starting with the many remnants of the wall that | | | | for some wonderful views of Cork. |
| used to enclose the city. There is one major building | | | | The central shopping area of Cork is St. Patrick Street, |
| remaining from medieval days - Red Abbey, which | | | | which is seemingly always buzzing with life and activity. |
| gets its name from the red sandstone used in its | | | | This pedestrian friendly route has had as a lot of |
| construction. There are two major Cathedrals in the | | | | modern development and massive expansion since |
| city; the Roman Catholic St. Mary's Cathedral, built in | | | | the mid-2000s. |
| 1808, and the more famous Protestant St. Finbarr's | | | | Why you're in Cork, be sure to get yourself and your |
| Cathedral, completed in 1879. Much of the city center | | | | travel companion a city brochure and take a stroll |
| was burned in 1920 during the Irish War of | | | | along the signposted walking tour of the city. |
| Independence, and was rebuilt in Georgian style to | | | | |