History Michael Collins, the Irish revolutionary leader, was born near Clonakilty, Co Cork. Cork is a historic city, with the city charter being granted over 800 years ago by King John in 1185. Cork has its beginnings in a much earlier monastic settlement, founded by St Finbar. Over the centuries, much of the city was rebuilt, time and again, after numerous fires and attacks by Vikings or Norsemen. The city was at one time fully walled, and several sections and gates remain. The title of Mayor of Cork was established by royal charter in 1318, and the title was changed to Lord Mayor in 1900. The centre of Cork was gutted by fires started by the Black and Tans in the War of Independence, part of the British government policy of reprisals at the time; it was also the site of some fierce fighting between Irish guerrilla leaders and British forces. During the Irish Civil War, Cork was for a time held by Anti-Treaty forces, until it was retaken by the Pro-Treaty National Army in an attack from the sea. Patricks Bridge

Railway Cork city was one of the most rail orientated cities in Ireland. It has boasted a total of perhaps 8 stations at various times. The main route, still much the same today, is that from Dublin. Originally terminating on the city's outskirts at Blackpool, the Glanmire tunnel now connects it to the city centre terminus (nowadays actually a through station) of Kent Station. The town of Cobh, on Great Island, east of the city, is also connected - though the route originally had its own terminus perpendicular to the current station. This also connected to the East Cork seaside town of Youghal, until the 1980s. Other rail routes terminating or traversing Cork city were the lines to Blackrock, Passage West, Monkstown, Carrigaline, Crosshaven, Macroom, Blarney, as well as the famous West Cork Railway connecting Bantry, Skibbereen, Clonakilty, Courtmacsherry and many other West Cork towns. West Cork trains terminated at Albert Quay, across the river from Kent Station (though an on-street rail connected the two for rolling stock and cargo movement). The city also boasted its own tram system until the beginning of the 1930s, which ran from the City Centre out to the suburbs. Placenames today still tell of the routes, such as Tramway Terrace in Douglas. All that remains of this once-extensive public transport system is the line to Dublin (also serving Mallow, Kerry and Limerick) and that to Cobh. The only rail projects currently under consideration are an enhanced suburban service along the current lines, and a connection towards Youghal (probably only as far as Midleton).

Places of interest There are two cathedrals in the city: St. Mary's and St. Finbarre's. The modern Cork Opera House is one of the few such venues in Ireland. Shandon Bells Cork city in general boasts some fabulous architecture, capable of rivalling that of Dublin or Belfast. The main street, Patrick Street, was remodelled in the years up to 2004. As the main shopping street, it boasts striking buildings along its broad avenue (much of which is given to pedestrian use). Grand Parade, another part of the route, is a tree-lined avenue, home to many offices and financial institutions. The old financial centre, is the South Mall with several banks whose interior derive from the 19th century, and are very deserving of a visit. Many of its buildings are in the Georgian style, although the modern County Hall tower is one of the tallest buildings in Ireland. Across the river is Ireland's longest building, the Mental Hospital built in Victorian times. Cork's most famous building, also accessible to the public, is the church tower of Shandon dominating the North side of the city, with the North and East sides faced in red sandstone, and the West and South sides in the predominant stone of the region, white limestone. The clock tower on the church is known by locals as The Four-faced Liar, as from the base of the building, each clock face appears to show a different time. The bells of Shandon may be rung by members of the public. The City Hall, another splendid building of limestone, replaced the previous one destroyed in the burning of Cork in the "troubles" of 1920/21. The cost of this new building was provided by the British Government in the 1930s as a gesture of reconciliation. Cork City Hall is illuminated at night, reflecting off the River Lee which it fronts onto. Fitzgerald's Park, to the west of the city, is worth a visit - as are the grounds of University College Cork, through which the River Lee flows. The English Market, accessible from Grand Parade, Patrick Street, Oliver Plunkett Street and Princes Street, is a covered market for fish, fruit, meat, spices and luxury foods. The origins of the market can be traced back to 1610, but the present building dates from 1786.

Culture Cork's cultural life is surprisingly vibrant, considering its small population. Music, theatre, dance and film all play a prominent role in city life. The Cork School of Music and the Crawford College of Art & Design provide a constant throughput of new blood, as do the active theatre component of many courses at University College Cork (UCC). Worth checking out are: Corcadorca Theatre Company, where Cillian Murphy got his start; Cork Film Festival, a major supporter of the art of the short film; The Institute for Choreography and Dance, a national contemporary dance resource; the Triskel Arts Centre; Cork Jazz Festival; etc. Recent additions to the arts infrastructure include splendid modern additions to Cork Opera House and the Crawford Art Gallery. The new Lewis Glucksman Gallery opened in the Autumn of 2004 at UCC, and building is about to commence on the new EUR 60 million School of Music building. Cork is the European Capital of Culture for 2007 - Cork 2007. The city's FM radio band is impressively crowded: as well as Radio 1, 2FM, Lyric FM, Radio na Gealtachta (all run by RTE), and Today FM, there are well-run local stations such as 96FM, Red FM, and CUH FM and Cork Campus Radio. Staying with the media Cork is noted as being the birthplace of Eddie Hobbs, who in 2007 becamse famous by presenting a controversial RTE TV show entitled "Ripoff Republic".

Education. Cork an important educational center in Ireland. University College Cork (UCC), part of the National University of Ireland (NUI), offers a wide variety of courses including arts, engineering, law, medicine and science. The university was named "Irish University of the Year 2003-2004" by the Sunday Times. Cork Institute of Technology offers a variety of third level course, and is one of the few places in Ireland were nautical studies are available. In addition there are colleges of art, design and music at the institiute.