Cork is the largest County in
Ireland. Cork City is Ireland's second city and capital of the
ancient province of
Munster. The current "Coat of Arms of Cork City" was only officially registered by the Chief Herald of the
Geneaological Office, Dublin Castle on 2nd August 1949 ¹
The meaning of the name of this City - Cork; Corcaigh - "Marsh" can be considered apt for the fact that, as late
as the beginning of the 18th Century Cork was intersected by muddy streams.
On a small island in this marsh St Finbarr founded his monastery in the 7th century. The finest streets:
St Patrick Street, Grand Parade and the South Mall together with many other lesser streets, are actually constructed
over broad and deep sheets of water in which ships were loaded and unloaded in the 18th century.
Like Venice, Cork City is built upon the waters, and Cork City Centre is built on an island in the River Lee just
upstream from Cork Harbour. Cork Harbour is the second deepest harbour in the world (after Sydney).
The two channels of the River Lee which embrace the City Centre are spanned by twenty two public bridges
and this gives Cork a distinctive Continental air.
However it is often said of Cork City that it has all the amenities of a large City, but still retains its pleasant
atmosphere and extreme friendliness, which you will experience on your visit to the City.
Cork City was European Capital of Culture in 2005.
Reference¹: Vol 113 Journal of the Cork Historical & Archaeological Society
