A visit to Cork, Ireland's second largest city.

Cork County is known as the Rebel County, a title it got from its long history of opposition to British Rule. It is located in the South West corner of Ireland and is the country's largest County; Capital of the South. Cork is the the second largest city in Ireland, with a history that goes back hundreds of years. The song "The banks of my own lovely lee" is usually associated with the county.

The first settlers in Cork were the monks of St Finbarre , who founded a monastery on the south bank of the river. Then in 850 A.D. the Vikings set up a trading post beside the monastery, followed in 1177 A.D. by the Normans, who drove out the Vikings. The Normans built a walled city for protection, which lasted until 1690 A.D, when there was a siege and the city walls were abandoned.

With the Port of Cork, becoming a major transatlantic port, the city of Cork expanded dramatically. The town of Cobh - just outside Cork City - was once the main port in Ireland - and is best known, as the embarkation port, for the millions of Irish who left Irelands for otgher countries.

It is very easy to get to Cork, besides having a major airport, there is ferry service to Swansea in Wales, and to Cherbourg, Roscoff and Le Havre in France. Train service is available to all parts of the country, and the excellent roads make driving easy to get around.

Cork has a large variety of places to stay while visiting the area. For those who like - to meet the locals- there are many Bed and Breakfast Inns where they can enjoy the hospitality, "for which the Irish are known". This also gives them the opportunity to try some of the local fare - black or white pudding, Irish sausage and rashers, cooked with Irish butter and served - in what they like to call a "mixed grill", along with Irish Soda bread and Tea.

There are also self-catering cottages or apartments, traditional hotels, and for those who like something a little different there is the 5-star Castlemartyr Resort. This 18th century classic manor house, lies near the ruins of a 800 year old castle, which was originally built by the Knights Templar . The resort is on 220 acres, with meandering streams, parklands and a lake with lots of wildlife.

The hotel has comfortable appointed rooms with all modern conveniences, and views of the parklands and lake. The modern restaurant serves Irish Cuisine, guests can also dine in the Bar and contemporary clubhouse. For golfers there is a 18-hole golf course and for those who like to be pampered a SPA.

Among the most interesting sights for visitors are the following -

1. Cork City Goal, a magnificient castle-like 19th century building, that once housed prisoners, showcasing not only how the prisoners lived, but exhibitinbg a fine example of Irelands architectural heritage. In the cells are amazing life-like wax figures, the original griffiti on the walls expressing the innermost feelings of the inmates, and an audio - which informs visitors of the history and lifestyle of 19th century Cork. This is one of the most fascinating exhibitions in the city.

2. Located at St Annes Church, in Shandon , the historic heart of Cork City is one of the most famous landmarks - the Shandon Bells. Guests can Ring the 18th century Bells, View the internal workings of the ‘Four Faced Liar’ , See the spectacular 360° views of Cork City and beyond from the top of the Tower. The Church of St. Anne’s was originally built in 1722, parts of it was destroyed in "the siege of cork" in 1690, but it is still used as a place of worship to the present time. Those who wish to visit the Tower, have to pay an entrance Fee.

3. Charles Fort, Kinsale Cork is a famous star shaped fort and one of the largest military forts in the country. it has been associated with some of the most significant events in Irish history, the most momentous of which includes - the Williamite War in 1690 and the Irish Civil War of 1922-23. The fort has two enormous bastions overlooking the estuary, and three that looki inland.

4. Midleton Distillery Is an impressive - 18th-century industrial complex of stone mills and ware-houses - restored to show visitors about the fine art of whiskey distilling. Visitors can tour the modern distillery together with the Old Midleton Distillery, which has been in use for 150 years - from 1825 to 1975 The world's largest pot still , with a capacity of over 150,000 litres, stands by the reception building. The Jameson Heritage center, was built as an entrepreneurial venture to showcase whiskey, despite the centre's name, it was the brand known as Paddy, rather than Jameson's, which was distilled in Midleton from the 19th century.

5. Fota Wildlife Park, Carrigtwohill, Corkis one of Europe's most modern wildlife parks. Spread out over 70 acres of countryside, different types of species that thrive in its free-range environment. There are playgrounds for the kids, educational programs to learn about the anumalks and an Arboretum with trees ans shrubs from arounbd the world.

6. Drakes Pool, Crosshaven Cork is a cove filled with history. It is said that Sir Francis Drake and five of his ships, once took refuge here in 1587, to escape the Spanish Fleet chasing them.

7. There is a small island on a lake in Macroom, Corn where Saint Finbarr - the patron saint of Cork - built his first monastery. The little chapel, called Finbarr's Oratory, is said to be the smallest church in Ireland. While, mainly a place of pilgrimage, it is famous for outdoor activities, such as walking, fishing or cycling.

But the best way to see Cork is on a Hop-on-Hop-off city bus tour. The open-air, double-decker bus makes 16 stops at all the major attractions in the city, including those mentioned above, and also the following.
--- English market one of the oldest of its kind , estsblished in 1788
--- Custom House built in 1818
---City Hall built on the Banks of the River Lee
--- and the Grand Parade a street built over a channel of the River Lee, it is the widest street
in Cork.
Visitors can get on and off the bus as often as they wish. The bus operates April to October, 9:30am to 5:00pm

Besides these highlights, the countryside around Cork has many more historical and magnificent natural sights to see. Allow lots of time to drive around the country, there is something worth stopping to see, at every bend in the road. On my last visit, late in the day, we gave a ride to a very elderly gypsy - who regalled us with one story after another - as she smoked her pipe. Then just as suddently as she had appeared in the road, she had us stop - where there was no sight of habitation, to let her out the car. I still say to this day, she was one of Irelands past inhabitants.

Some of the Photos courtesy of en.wikipedia.org; others from visit ireland websites