Cork city is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland, although it is said that Corkonians regard their city as the “de real capital of Ireland”. Many would have you believe that Dublin is only a village compared to their city!

Such apparent arrogance is actually pride by the people of Cork in their city and they have every reason to be proud of their home by the banks of the Lee.

Cork city has a population of about 190,000 people in the greater urban area. It was originally monastic settlement occupied by St Finbarr and his monks in 600AD. References to the saint abound throughout the city of Cork, with ironically enough the Protestant Cathedral of St Finbarre being the highlight with its fine sculpted architecture.

The Vikings arrived in 1100AD and used the natural maritime infrastructure that was Cork Harbour to full advantage by opening it up to trade and merchant traffic.

Indeed, Cork has a long vintage of what are termed ‘merchant princes’ who built up the commercial and industrial profile of Cork.

Today, Cork is the headquarters of many multi-national corporations providing thousands of jobs, particularly in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. It also has a large presence of technology companies and businesses such as the Heineken Brewery, manufacturers of Murphys Stout, a rival to the Dublin product of Guinness.

Barrys Tea, a wonderful homegrown success going back many generations to the merchant princes’ times, is still owned privately by the Barry family, descendants of the founders of the company. Cork was also for many decades famous for the manufacture of Ford cars until it closed in the late seventies. Henry Ford’s grandfather was from west Cork hence the connection in the first. At around the same the city lost the Dunlop Tyre factory, which was a killer blow to the local economy.

Those looking for retail therapy in Cork are spoilt for choice. St Patricks Street is the city centre hotspot for all the main designer brands and busy side streets with smaller shops off this street give the city a market atmosphere. Away from the centre of the city, newer shopping centres and retails parks such as Mahon and Douglas compete for custom from canny Cork shoppers and visitors.

Tourism is a massive boost to the city. As a destination in its own right, Cork city has a lot to offer, but it is also a gateway to the west Cork and Kerry regions thereby giving the visitor a splendid choice of urban and rural vistas to experience. Museums, theatres, clubs and pubs make Cork a popular weekend destination with its good road, air and rail links. Cork had the honour of being European Capital of Culture in 2005/

Cork Airport benefited from a major upgrade in 2006, which was the subject of much controversy as to who was going to pay for it. Whilst the argument still goes on, the airport handled a record 3.3 million passengers in 2007.

Cork is a sporting city with traditions in Rugby, Soccer and GAA. It shares with Limerick the honour of having players on the magnificent Munster Rugby team but the game would have a lesser impact on sporting life in Cork than it does in Limerick.

What would be considered an elitist pastime in other parts of the country, the Cork passion for yachting goes back centuries and is indulged in by the rich and working –class alike. A maritime tradition is embedded in the Cork people and peripheral towns like Crosshaven, which is the world’s oldest yacht club, Cobh, and Kinsale, abound with wonderful facilities, first-class marinas, and sailing schools. The River Lee is a canoeist’s paradise and many clubs are located on the banks.

University College Cork (UCC) is the only university in the city and Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) is an established college that harbours ambitions to be a university in its own right.

Whilst the visitor may have some initial problems with the pronounced Cork dialect and accents, such obstacles more than compensated by the warmth of the welcome you will encounter.