Cork
General information
Cork is a vibrant city located in the southwest of Ireland. It is the second-largest city in the country after Dublin. Known as the "Rebel City" due to its historical defiance against British rule, Cork has a rich cultural heritage and a strong sense of identity, something that can be observed in the messages found on the paintings of its electrical boxes scattered throughout the city.
Cork is positioned on the River Lee. It is a major urban center and serves as the administrative, commercial, and cultural hub of the region. Additionally, Cork is known for its historic architecture, vibrant arts scene, and proximity to scenic coastal areas.
Here are two electrical boxes:
Transport
Getting around Cork can be done in different ways depending on where you live. Typically, people living in residential areas use the bus, but there's a big push for more eco-friendly systems to navigate the city, especially for those living closer. Additionally, in the city center, there are many pedestrian areas, and the sidewalks are very spacious.
Bus Éireann is the company covering the city and its surrounding suburbs. Tickets are not expensive, but it will be cheaper if you buy a leap card. The only downside is that bus frequency experiences delays during rush hours, mainly due to traffic congestion in the city center.
Bus Éireann
Photo by Ana
There is a bus, a motorbike, a car and a bicycle in the same picture. Can you spot them?
Travelling by train to nearby towns is also a good option
As you can see, Cork is a pedestrian-friendly city.
Weather
Cork experiences a maritime climate characterized by mild winters and cool summers. The weather can be quite changeable and unpredictable due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.
In winter, temperatures typically range from 4°C to 8°C.Those are the temperatures we experienced during our stay at the end of February. However, temperatures can occasionally drop lower during cold spells in winter. Overcast skies and drizzle are common during the winter months, so do not forget to bring warm clothing and some garments to protect you from the rain.
The weather on Saturday, 3rd February 2024.
Must-See
The country
Apart from beautiful parks, Cork is surrounded by large green fields... and some animals.
Places to visit
Triskel Christchurch
It's a fully refurnished neoclassical Georgian Church and it's over 300 years old. It's also home to the Triskel Arts Centre, where this picture was taken.
Crawford Art Gallery
Located in the heart of Cork, it is one of the most historic buildings in the city. As well as three centruries of Irish Art, the Gallery hosts numerous temporary exhibitions by contemporary national and intrnational artists.
Ardú Street Art Project
Ardú arrived in Cork in October 2020 and, so far, at least eleven of Ireland's most respected and renowned street artists have created works at key city-centre locations bringing the best of contemporary street art to Cork. For further information on this project, visit their website at www.arducork.ie
Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral
It dates back to 606AD and it's a 19th century Gothic Revival masterpiece designed by William Burges. It'ss full of unique stained glass windows, marbled walls, frescoes, wood carvings , and floor mosaics alongside the historic cathedral organ in a 'pit'. Definitely, a must-see.
Sculpture Trail
It's a unique cultural trail of five public artworks, located on the central island in Cork City , and it is easily walkable. The artworks included in this trail are Boom Nouveau, on Cork Street, The Face Cup, on Princes Street, Sentinels, on Carey's Lane, Tempus Futurum, at Triskel Chirstchurch, and Urban Mirror, on Cornmarket Street, (the picture above).
Waterville
It is the only seafront village on the famous Ring on Kerry in Southwest Ireland. There's a rugged coastline and some cliffs around this place. Waterville has a unique connection to the legendary actor and film maker Charlie Chaplin, who first visited the village in the 1950s and was so captivated by its beauty that he returned year after year with his family.
Tips
Ravens and pigeons are the most common birds in the city. You can see them almost everywhere and walking among people.
Remember they drive on the left side of the road.
Post boxes can be found throughout cities, towns, and rural areas. These boxes are typically painted green and are operated by An Post, the Irish postal service.
The ciphers denote the box was situated during the reign of King George V (GR), Queen Victoria (VR), and King Edward VII (ER VII).
There are supermarkets that have machines that collect packaging, and depending on the packaging delivered, they give a ticket with the corresponding amount for the material delivered. This amount can be deducted from the final purchase made by the user in the supermarket.
Local authorities provide recycling bins for households to separate recyclable materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, and metal. This can be seen in any street.
Recycling and environmental susatinability are very important.
Here are some common greetings and basic words to start a conversation in Irish.
However, you can also find some old English.
O'Brien's Sandwhich Café at 11 Whinthrop St, centre.
Talking about food, most pubs often serve delicious food alongside their drinks. Irish stews and seafood chowder are frequently serve. You can have an idea about the prices in the pictures.
One of the stalls in the Marina Market, on Centre Park Road.
Another stall in the Marina Market
The Sandwhich Stall at the English Market
At Carrolls you can buy gifts for your friends and family.
Remember that queuing is very important, no matter where you are.
Colourful streets are very common. Here you can see blocks of flats on South Mall, by the River Lee, and some houses on the corner with Pine Street.
Saint Brigid's feast
Saint Brigid is celebrated on February 1st, her feast day marks the beginning of spring and is intertwined with ancient pagan rituals that herald the end of winter and the awakening of the land. In Cork, the celebration of Saint Brigid is a joyous occasion, blending religious observance with cultural festivities.
One of the most iconic symbols associated with Saint Brigid is the Brigid's cross. Legend has it that she wove this cross from rushes while attending to a dying pagan chieftain. As she made the cross, she explained the Christian faith, and upon seeing the symbol, the chieftain converted to Christianity. Today, the Brigid's cross is hung in Irish homes to invoke her protection and to ward off evil spirits.
In Cork, the celebration of Saint Brigid's day is marked by various events and customs. Local communities come together to create Brigid's crosses, a tradition passed down through generations. These crosses are then displayed in homes, churches, and public spaces, symbolizing faith, protection, and the arrival of spring. Below you can observe some examples of Saint Brigid's cross as it is exhibited in Cork's oldest church, already deconsecrated and currently operating as a café and exhibition center.
St. Peter's Cork
Café
St Brigid's Cross
St. Brigid's Cross