Charming City of Cork is located in the south-western Ireland. It is the second largest city of Ireland as well as the capital of the eponymous county with approx. 120,000 residents and cozy place to just hang around and feel the genuine Irish atmosphere.

What to do and see in Cork

St. Finbarr’s Cathedral

This beautiful neo-Gothic cathedral was built between 1865 and 1879 on the site of at least two previous structures dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Finbarr of Cork.

University College Cork

The university was founded in 1845 and its area is open to public. Guided tours are available to get visitors acquainted with e.g. limestone Honan Chapel and the Boole Library. Campus area is well-known for its architectonic variety.

Elizabeth Fort

This 17th-century star fort has been a military barracks, prison, and police station. It was first built in 1601, but for fear that the fort might be used against them by James I during the Tudor conquest of Ireland, the mayor and Corkonians demolished the fort in 1603. The basic structure of the current fort has its basis in reconstructions dating from 1624 to 1626, and during the Cromwell era in 1649. Walls of the fort offers fantastic views over the city.

Church of St. Anne (Shandon Church)

This church lies on the hill top in the Shandon district. Its belltower is a noted landmark and symbol of the city. A medieval church existed on this site, and it stood until the Williamite wars when it was destroyed during the siege of Cork in 1690. In 1693 this was replaced by a church, also dedicated to St. Mary, and was located at the bottom of modern day Shandon Street. It was decided to build anew on the site and so in 1722 the present Church of St. Anne, Shandon was constructed. The church is noted for its 8 bells due to the song “The Bells of Shandon” by Francis Sylvester Mahony,  and visitors are allowed to ring those.

Photos: With the CC licence / Bkwillwm, Ian Paterson, The Speckled Bird,  pl:Wikipedysta:A., Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, John M