Template:FP-Cork

Cork Courthouse, County Cork

Cork Cork, the county town of County Cork, is a port town on the south coast of Ireland. It is the largest city in the Republic of Ireland after Dublin, and by far the largest city in the province of Munster. A vibrant city, its people like to call Cork "the real capital of Ireland". A monastic settlement was founded here by Saint Finbarr in the 6th century but the town was founded by Scandinavian settlers at some point between 915 and 922. These Norse and Danes founded a trading port in the capacious harbour, and that harbour has been the city's fortune ever since. The city is built on the River Lee which divides into two channels at the western end of the city leaving the city centre on an island between them. Below the city centre the Lee flows to Cork Harbour, one of the world's largest natural harbours. The city is a major Irish seaport; there are quays and docks along the banks of the Lee on the city's east side. (Read more)