City Guide:
CORK is the second largest city in Ireland.
Some Corkonians consider the city to be the capital of the Republic of Ireland. Cork lies on the river Lee, which divides into two channels to the west. The city’s heart is located in this piece of land surrounded by the Lee. Cork has great cultural importance and was called the European Capital of Culture in 2005. Some ratings have named Cork to be among the top 10 most popular tourist destinations. There are a number of festivals held annually in the city. They include the Midsummer Festival of poetry and art, Film Festival featuring the best Irish and international films, as well as the Jazz Festival, one of the biggest of its kind in Europe.
Cork hotels are numerous. Booked.net has a great selection of Cork hotels from economical options to luxury hotels for any budget, taste and purpose of stay.
Cork houses a great number of cultural places to attend. Make sure you make some time to view the local gallaries. Major tourist attractions include:
- St Finbarr's Cathedral is a stunning church constructed in the 19th century in Gothic style
- Shandon Church, a definite landmark of Cork. You will be allowed to ring the bells, which are considered to be the city’s symbols
- Lewis Gluckman Gallery lies on the campus of the University College Cork. It exhibits pieces of international art
- Crawford Municipal Art Gallery exposes European and local art works, as well as ancient Greek and Roman statues
Cork Vision Centre is another important sight. Originally a church, the center currently houses the scale model of the city. If you are looking for a picturesque view, Elizabeth Fort is the place to go. Otherwise, take a short ride to Cork City Gaol and enjoy a great view of the western part of the city. For food and handicrafts, visit Elizabeth Fort where a market takes place every Sunday. For those who fancy promenades, there are some historic walking tours that will give you an insight into the city’s history and how it expanded to its current state. If you look for quiet natural surroundings, Fitzgeralds Park just beside the river Lee is the place to go.
There is no need to go further than Booked.net when deciding on your hotel. Look for Cork hotels based on ratings, guests’ reviews or other selection criteria, and plan your journey as you want it to be.
