Popular Routes

Around Cork City

Cork (Irish: Corcaigh, from corcach, meaning "swamp") is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban areas contained in the county brings the total to 190,384. Metropolitan Cork has a population of approximately 274,000, while the Greater Cork area is about 380,000.

Plan to cross many bridges when in Cork. Ireland's third-largest city began life as an island and now spans both banks of the River Lee, with watery channels running beneath some of its main thoroughfares. The best way to experience this hilly southern seaport is on foot, following the signposted walking tour past St. Finn Barre's Cathedral and the riverside quadrangle of University College up the hill to red and white Shandon Church. Along the way, you'll meet plenty of the city's talkative residents.

Cork is a city well-known for its dining scene, its food market and the shopping areas. There's also a big art scene. Still, for many visitors it's just quiet and gray with a lot of bad traffic. The quiet is the combination of a city-life in a rural setting which can be an attraction on its own. The scenery is peaceful, downtown is walkable.

In 2005, Cork was named the European Capital of Culture and received considerable media coverage and a big boost in tourism. This was a great opportunity for the city to show-off all that it has to offer, and to attract many famous exhibits.

Writers Sean O'Faolain, who wrote short stories tackling Irish social issues, and Frank O'Connor, who explored personal experiences in Ireland, both lived here.

Sports are also a big part of local culture: hurling is an old traditional sport that Cork excells at!