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This half-joking, half-serious remark is a common saying among many people living in this southwestern Irish city. Join Travellive as we explore the famous landmarks of County Cork to understand the pride each resident feels when thinking about their city.
downtown Cork
Cork, spelled Corcaigh in Irish, means "swamp". It is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland, located in the southwest of the country with a population of approximately 130,000. It is famous for Murphy's beer, jazz music, Barry's tea, the English Market, Jameson's distillery, Blarney Castle, the River Lee, University College Cork (UCC)... – things that Cork residents believe have helped make Ireland more widely known.
A street corner in Saint Patrick's in downtown Cork.
One special thing about visiting Cork is that you can explore many beautiful and famous places without spending any money. Located right in the city center, just a 15-minute walk from Saint Patrick's Street, is Saint Patrick Hill. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city. For those who love photography or enjoy outdoor activities without having to travel far, this hill is definitely an ideal place to relax with family on weekends.
Panoramic view of Cork city from Saint Patrick's Hill.
Another equally famous landmark is Saint Fin Barre Church. With its long history and unique Gothic architecture, this church has been a source of pride for the local people for generations. Most tours for university students include this church as a must-see destination when visiting Cork.
The famous Saint Fin Barre Cathedral
Another equally interesting place is the English Market located on Saint Patrick's main street. Unlike Asian culture, which often goes to markets to buy fresh produce, most Westerners choose supermarkets for packaged and rigorously quality-checked food. However, if you have the chance to visit the English Market in Cork, you will be surprised to find it is not much different from an Asian market. Foods that are rarely sold in supermarkets, such as offal, are very common here. A wide variety of fresh seafood is also available. Even more special, during the annual "Culture Night" in September, the English Market becomes a stage for bands to perform and also a tourist attraction offering a clearer view of the city's diverse produce.
A stall selling pickled olives in the English Market.
Last on this list, but no less famous, is University College Cork (UCC). Dubbed the "Hogwarts of Ireland," this institution has consistently ranked number one on the list of the most beautiful universities in Ireland for many years. Furthermore, UCC consistently ranks among the top universities in Ireland and Europe. Being accepted into UCC is a dream come true for any student.
UCC University - often called the Hogwarts of Ireland
Cobh Port
Historically, Cork was chosen by the Vikings as a trading center due to its advantageous geographical location for maritime commerce. This is why its seaports were developed and invested in from a very early stage. Among them, Cobh is the largest and busiest port in the city. It is famous for its colorful buildings, creating an interesting contrast against a backdrop of predominantly gray stone architecture.
The rows of colorful buildings are the hallmark of Cobh Harbour.
In Cobh, you can choose a Titanic experience tour to learn about the history of this famous ship. Interestingly, Cobh was the last stop of the legendary Titanic before it sank and disappeared forever. Tickets for this tour cost around 10 euros. Here, a guide will take you through different rooms showing documentary films, listening to short stories about the people who held the fate of the Titanic in their hands. A model of the ship is also displayed in the exhibition room for visitors to admire and take photos. Even more interesting, each guest participating in this tour will be given a ticket to board the ship, with the name of a randomly selected passenger on the legendary voyage. At the end of the experience, each person will compare the name on the ticket with the names on the list of those who survived and perished in the shipwreck.
Tickets for the Titanic experience tour.
Cobh Harbour is also the birthplace of Sonia O'Sullivan, the famous track and field athlete who won the 1995 Olympic gold medal and is a source of great pride for all Irish people. A life-sized statue of her has been sculpted and placed in the heart of Cobh Harbour.
Statue of legendary athlete Sonia O'Sullivan
A street corner in Cobh harbor.
West Cork
Continuing westward through County Cork, you'll discover a magnificent natural landscape of cliffs and the sea. West Cork is picturesque and somewhat reminiscent of Cape Dai Lanh at the easternmost point of Vietnam, in Phu Yen province.
Mizen Head Bridge viewed from above.
Located on the southwestern tip of the rugged Kilmore Peninsula, Mizen Head is a dramatic stretch of cliffs jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean. The area is almost completely isolated from the rest of the peninsula, separated by a deep gorge. Mizen Head was the last piece of European land that sailors would see before making their transatlantic voyage.
The sheer cliffs
The deep blue sea meanders between the sheer cliffs.
It was precisely because this was one of the most feared spots in Europe that the famous Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi chose this location to build a radio signal tower for the purpose of sending the first transatlantic telegraph messages.
Signal station area
Geographically, Mizen Head is not the southernmost point of Ireland (that title belongs to nearby Brow Head), however, in the minds of the locals, Ireland still stretches from Malin Head to Mizen Head.
When visiting West Cork, you can choose from idyllic lakeside resorts like this one to enjoy fresh air and tranquility on sunny weekends.
A resort in West Cork
Tourists enjoy the green spaces and fresh air in West Cork.
Kinsale
Located in West Cork, Kinsale is a fishing village right next to the mouth of the River Bandon. It's famous for its charming, colorful little shops. Visiting here, you'll feel like you've been transported to a miniature toy city, filled with model houses, bookstores, and eateries.
Kinsale is famous for its fresh and delicious seafood, so if you have the chance to visit, don't miss the opportunity to sample these renowned dishes.
Another must-see location is Fort Charles, built in the 17th century on the site of an old fortress called Ringcurran Castle. This military fort is named after King Charles II as a tribute to the revered monarch. The unique feature of this structure is its star-shaped design. Visiting and admiring the crumbling walls will give you a deeper understanding of the historical upheavals and the marks of time that have been left on this place.
Located alongside the Bandon River, Kinsale is also a favorite destination for those who enjoy water sports or more relaxing activities such as fishing and sightseeing from a yacht.
Indeed, Kinsale is an ideal destination for all travelers. In Kinsale, you can explore the culture, relax, and enjoy the rich and distinctive Irish cuisine.
By now, readers have probably understood why the people of Cork always confidently refer to their city as a true capital. And although not officially designated, Cork remains a city that anyone living in Ireland is proud to share with friends around the world.
