Irish name for Cork is Corcaigh. Cork is known as The Rebel County for the independant spirit of those that reside here, both past and present.
The largest county in Ireland, with about 702,000 inhabitants, it has long sandy beaches, high rugged cliffs and a scattering of off shore islands. There are rocky mountains, subtropical gardens and still, dark corrie lakes. You can find dark forests, climbing hillsides, old walled towns, multicoloured spinnakers of racing yachts and old memories of seafaring and ship wrecks.
Cork City, which hosts popular annual jazz and film festivals, is the only major urban area in the county and most of Cork's other small towns and villages, which are mainly dotted along the coastline exude a traditional air as if they have not changed very much in the last century.
Cork has a large number of ancient monuments and tombs and some of the finest are scattered around Clonakilty and on the Mizen Head. One of the most impressive of these is the Drombeg Stone Circle near Rosscarbery.
Southerly Cork and Kerry have the warmest climate of all Irish counties and the Fota
Wildlife Park near Cork City takes advantage of the clement conditions by letting their grassland animals roam free in large enclosures.
Corks most famous son was Michael Collins, who led the military campaign against the
English, which led to the setting up of the Irish Free State in 1921. A small visitors
centre is based at his former home, which was burnt by the English near Rosscarbery.
The Great Famine hit Cork hard and thousands of people emigrated to America from Cobh during the 19th and 20th centuries. The Fastnet rock, the most southwesterly point in Ireland, was called the Tear Drop because it was the last piece of land the emigrants would see before reaching America. It was in the harbour town of Cobh (pronounced cove), known one time as Queenstown in honour of a visit by Queen Victoria, that the Titanic made her last port of call. Many Irish immigrants were aboard the doomed ship.
Blarney Castle is home of the Blarney Stone. Legend has it that if you kiss the stone you will be granted the gift of eloquence. You must go to the top of the castle, lie on your back and ease down while someone holds you feet in order to kiss the stone. Lesser known it is told that the stone is one half of a larger stone. The other half is said to be the Stone of Scone, where Irish Kings sat for their coronation, and now resides in Westminster Abbey where British royalty sit upon it to be crowned.
Fota Wildlife Park, Co. Cork:
Fota Wildlife Park is Ireland's only Wildlife Park. In this rural setting one can view rare and endangered species of wildlife in surroundings which have been developed as close as possible to their natural environment.
The Royal Gunpowder Mills, Co. Cork :
The Royal Gunpowder Mills, Ballincollig invites you to visit their exciting, and unique
industrial complex on the banks of the River Lee in Cork, where the manufacture of gunpowder took place from 1794 to 1903.
Jameson Heritage Centre:
Exploring the Jameson Heritage Centre in Midleton Co. Cork will take you back through time. Discover the history, and the magical taste of Irish Whiskey -Uisce Beatha (The Water of Life) the mystical spirit perfected by Irish monks in the 6th Century A.D.
Millstreet Park, Co. Cork:
Over five hundred acres, of lakes, waterfalls, streams, wetlands, walks, picnic areas,
moorlands, arboretum, herb rich meadows, ornamental gardens, archaeological sites, native deer, birds and wildlife with Visitor Centre, Restaurant and Souvenir Shop.
The Queenstown Story, Cobh, Co. Cork:
The story of Cobh's origins, it's unque history and legacy are dramatically recalled at The Queenstown Story - a stunning multi media exhibition at Cobh's restored Victorian Railway Station. Themes include The Titanic, Emigration & Famine. New Genealogy Service available.
Cork City Gaol, Co. Cork:
A castle like prison which once housed 19th C. prisoners, often in wretched conditions.
Cells furnished with life-size figures, sound effects and fascinating exhibitions together with sound and image presentations tell the social history and contrasting lifestyles of 19th Century Cork and why some turned to crime.
Cork Hertiage Park :
A number of heritage exhibitions have been developed at the Park which tells the story of the social and economic development of Cork City. The grounds at the Park are open to the public and are developed to a very high standard.