Cork City is Ireland's third city (after Dublin and
Belfast) and has always been an important seaport. It
began on an island in the swampy estuary of the River Lee
(the name Corcaigh means a marsh), and gradually climbed
up the steep banks on either side.
Today the river flows through Cork City in two main
channels, so that you find yourself constantly crossing
bridges.
As the hilly streets go up and down, so do the voices of
the citizens. They have a characteristic sing-song
cadence, beloved of national comedians, and Corkonians
are regarded as the most talkative of all the Irish.
Some great sights to visit include the
legendary Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle. For many of
the visitors to Blarney, their first priority is to kiss
the famous Blarney Stone high up on the Castle
battlements. Tradition holds that those who kiss the
Blarney Stone will be endowed with the gift of eloquence
- "the gift of the gab", as the locals call it.
St. Finbarr is the founder and patron saint. He founded a
monastery around 650 AD where St.
Finn Barre's Cathedral now stands, and it grew into an
extensive and wealthy establishment. It attracted the
attention of the Viking sea-pirates who raided and burned
the infant city, but returned in later years to settle
and trade. The Anglo-Norman invasion in 1172 resulted in
both the Danish lords and local MacCarthy chiefs having
to submit to Henry II, but Cork has always had a
reputation for independence and stubborn resistance: it
came to be known as "Rebel Cork". St. Finn
Barre's Cathedral is a splendid triple-spired example of
French-gothic architecture. Among its most striking
features are the fine rose window, the mosaic pavements
and the elaborate carving throughout.
Millstreet Country Park constists of over
500 acres of lakes, waterfalls, streams, wetlands, walks,
picnic areas, moorlands, arboretum, herb rich meadows,
ornamental gardens, archaeological sites, native deer,
birds and wildlife. There is also a Field Studies
Laboratory, Sensory Garden, Music Garden, and a
restaurant with fine wines, imaginative cuisine, and
sinful deserts all at a price you can afford set in
spacious surroundings.
And last but not least, a trip to Ireland wouldn't be
complete without visit to one of it's famous pubs. With
good food served all day, and a club to party the night
away, they are there.....waiting for you!
Some great sights to visit include the
legendary Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle. For many of
the visitors to Blarney, their first priority is to kiss
the famous Blarney Stone high up on the Castle
battlements. Tradition holds that those who kiss the
650 AD where St.
Finn Barre's Cathedral now stands, and it grew into an
extensive and wealthy establishment. It attracted the
attention of the Viking sea-pirates who raided and burned
the infant city, but returned in later years to settle
and trade. The Anglo-Norman invasion in 1172 resulted in
both the Danish lords and local MacCarthy chiefs having
to submit to Henry II, but Cork has always had a
reputation for independence and stubborn resistance: it
came to be known as "Rebel Cork". St. Finn
Barre's Cathedral is a splendid triple-spired example of
French-gothic architecture. Among its most striking
features are the fine rose window, the mosaic pavements
and the elaborate carving throughout.
Millstreet Country Park constists of over
500 acres of lakes, waterfalls, streams, wetlands, walks,
picnic areas, moorlands, arboretum, herb rich meadows,
ornamental gardens, archaeological sites, native deer,
birds and wildlife. There is also a Field Studies
Laboratory, Sensory Garden, Music Garden, and a
restaurant with fine wines, imaginative cuisine, and
sinful deserts all at a price you can afford set in
spacious surroundings.
