Cork, Ireland - Eire's Second City | Travel Blog Cork, Ireland - Eire's Second City “Sweet bloody Jesus! And Christ almighty!” came the voice of man behind us. These were the first words Angela and I heard upon our arrival at Cork International Airport. What caused the man to utter these words we did not know, but it cheered us nonetheless. We had arrived in Ireland and it sounded good. Cork was founded in the sixth century by the wonderfully named Saint Finbarr. He founded a monastery, around which settlements soon grew. As time passed, the Vikings came and destroyed parts of the city, but it was soon rebuilt. However by the seventeenth century Cork finally hit the big time. It became the butter capital of the World, providing butter to ships plying the busy transatlantic routes. Then came famine followed by British interference, which drove the city into decline. But today, Cork is one of Ireland's Celtic Tigers and now stands as the second largest city in the country. “So where-yas-from?” asked the jovial taxi driver as we left the airport. In his sixties and wearing a blue sailor’s cap, he looked like an old sea dog. We told him we were from England.

He visibly cheered at this news. “Ah, Beamish Stout England! I do love that place! Lived in Liverpool many years ago. And in Birmingham, so I did! Lovely place!” As we headed into the city, Angela and I surveyed our surroundings. We’d expected Cork to be a picture-postcard sort of town, a bit like Whitby, only in Ireland. But so far, it seemed to be stuck in some sort of weird time warp, alternating between run-down Victorian and drab sixties-style buildings. A closed-down cinema added to this effect, fly posters and graffiti adorning its once grand entrance. “Cobh is a nice place to go if you have the time,” said the taxi driver, perhaps sensing our mood. “It really is a lovely little harbour and it was the final port that the Titanic stopped at. It’s about half an hour by bus. And then there's Blarney of course. You’ve got to kiss the stone!” “What's the Murphy's like?” I asked. Irish stout was a favourite of mine. I’d tried Guinness in Dublin and now I wanted to try Murphy's in Cork, the place it was brewed.

“Oh they all taste the same to me,” the man answered honestly. “But the wife likes a bit of Guiness signs stout now and again. She says the Guinness doesn't travel too well so she prefers the Murphy’s.” The next morning was overcast and drizzly. Our hotel, the Ambassador was located on a high hill to the north of the River Lee. “It says here,” I said, reading a placard I'd found on a wall. “This hotel used to be a protestant hospital for people with incurable diseases. Maybe there are still traces of disease in the beds.” After breakfast we headed into the city centre and began our sightseeing trek. It quickly led us to the main shopping areas of St Patrick's Street, Oliver Plunkett Street and the Grand Parade. Our first port of call was the English Market. Originating from the early seventeenth century the market was full of stalls peddling meat, fish, cheese, breads and lots more besides. We spent a good while browsing the items on offer before the smell of raw meat became too much for us. We headed back outside into the fresh air. The view to the north of the river wasn't particularly picturesque.

It looked like any other industrial city going through a transformation to become more modern. Drab buildings, Oliver Plunkett Street grey listless housing and gaudy shop fronts greeted our gaze as we headed towards a bridge. We traversed the River Lee and headed uphill towards the Firkin Crane Centre. A firkin was an old measurement of mass, with one firkin being equivalent to about 25kg. The Firkin Crane Centre used to be part of Cork's Butter Exchange, a reminder of just how important Butter was in Cork. Nowadays, the centre has reinvented itself as a venue for contemporary dance, but just along from it was the renowned Butter Museum, a place that our guidebook described as being unmissable. “Can you believe they have a firkin butter museum?” I said to Angela in a thick Irish accent. “It better be firkin good.” Twenty minutes later, after having wandered through the museum’s displays, we both stepped outside. “I thought it was okay,” said Angela. “But certainly not unmissable.” I nodded. For an interesting insight into the history and manufacture of butter in Cork, it probably did a sterling job, but being the butter heathens we clearly were, it hadn’t hit the spot.

Instead, we headed across the street to St Anne's Shandon Church, one of Cork’s most prominent River Lee landmarks. We paid a woman the six Euro entry fee so we could climb the tower. The steps were both steep and rickety, and at the half way stage we came to the famous bells ropes. By yanking hard, it was possible to play out a tune. Angela knocked out a quick ditty and then we were off, ascending further up the tower. At the next level, there were some large headphones dangling from a rafter. And then someone below started playing the ropes. Immediately, the vibrations from the enormous bells were so immense that it actually started to hurt. We quickly grabbed some headphones and put them on, looking decidedly out of place wearing them in the rafters of a church. Then we squeezed into the bell tower itself. But we still had further to climb. To get to the viewing platform we had to squeeze over some rafters into a narrow opening above whilst carefully avoiding the bells. We managed this successfully and could now stand up to appreciate the view below. The wind and drizzle cut short our viewing pleasure and we climbed back down, glad we’d done it.

“I enjoyed ringing the bells,” said Georgian Buildings Angela as we walked down the hill past the Firkin Crane Centre again. “What’s it called again? You know, bell ringing?” “Campanology I think. Why? You think of joining a group?” Angela didn’t even bother with a reply. A visit to Cork without seeing the Blarney Stone would be like visiting Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. We hopped on a bus for a twenty-minute journey to the quaint little town of Blarney, eight kilometres northwest of Cork. Blarney was certainly prettier than Cork. And the place had a fair few tourists, mostly American. We headed towards Blarney Castle, paying the ten Euro entrance fee. The castle itself stood in the grounds of a large area of parkland. As we approached the castle, we crossed a small bridge. Below, in the stream, were hundreds of coins, tossed over the side for good luck. The castle was itself was rather small, being made up one main rectangular section surrounded by a few small circular towers. There were plenty of people about, most snapping off photos in the tunnels cut into the limestone rock from which the castle was built.

We moved upwards, soon entering the castle itself, The English Market climbing up the spiraling stone staircase towards the top. We soon found ourselves in a queue. Elderly Americans were in front and behind. We were all in line to kiss the famous stone, supposed to bring eloquence to anyone who did so. Every so often we would shuffle upwards a couple of steps until finally we emerged into the daylight at the top of the small battlement. We watched as a woman ahead of us went through the process of kissing the Blarney Stone. First she had to lie down on her back. As she did this, a kindly gentleman held her around the middle to stop her slipping. The woman then had to stretch forward to kiss the stone. She did this and stood up. With the woman safely out of the way, we prepared ourselves to kiss the stone ourselves. Just then though, the man in charge got up and started fiddling with a flask placed on a nearby wall. “Ah,” he said. “I’m just having a tea break! I won’t be long. Five minutes is all I'll be.” I turned to Angela, wondering what she wanted to do.

Personally, I was happy to give Inside the Butter Museum the whole kissing thing a miss. I’d seen the stone, I’d even photographed the stone, but kissing the stone was something I could leave for another day. Angela agreed and so we stepped past the rather plain looking Blarney Stone and exited the castle down another spiraling staircase. “Well that was firkin fun,” I said as we left the grounds of the castle. “But now I think it’s time for a pint of Beamish.” O’Connor’s Muskerry Arms sold all three kinds of stout. It was full of locals and tourists alike, and Angela and I sat down in a corner to enjoy a pint of Cork’s finest. To be perfectly honest, Guinness, Murphy’s and Beamish all looked identical to me, and they tasted similar too. That said, the Beamish I was currently sipping was a mighty fine drink and while Angela settled down to look at some shoes she’d bought earlier, I leafed through a magazine I'd found. One page caught my eye. It was an advertisement for an upcoming new play to be shown in Cork. Its rather mundane name, Cleaner, couldn’t have prepared me for what it was about.

I read the accompanying blurb: Using a St Anne's Shandon Bell Tower combination of puppetry, dance and domestic cleaning products…an alternative adult fairytale about a woman who falls in love with her sweeping brush. I gulped a mouthful of Beamish down. For our final morning in Cork, we decided to walk to St Finbarre’s Cathedral, to the south of the river. Walking back through the main thoroughfare of shopping streets we were once again struck by just how drab the city looked. Indeed the front cover photo of our guide book was not actually of Cork but of Cobh, something we only found out afterwards. But as we headed towards Finbarre’s, passing the massive Beamish Brewery, things started to look a little better. With the smaller tributary of the Lee on our right, and some quaint looking houses on the left, this was perhaps the most picturesque part of the city we had come across. And the Cathedral itself was rather nice too; its triple spires finished with a golden statue of an angel. Our trip to Southern Ireland was over. We headed back to the airport. Strengths: - Near to other major sights - e.g.

Blarney - Friendly locals - Not a very pretty town, in fact, rather drab looking - Not actually much to see in Cork itself -Hilly on the North side of the river One last thing, if you've enjoyed my story, then maybe you want to read by book! It's called The Red Quest and chronichles my mad mission to visit every country of the former Soviet Union. Along the way, I sample fermented mares milk in Kazakhstan, get chased by hounds in Kiev, am detained by the police in Krgyzstan, endure a blizzard in the mountain between Armenia and Georgia, get mugged by a pensioner in Tajikistan, and take a trip to a genunine breakaway republic where I almost get beaten up in a border hut. All in the name of The Red Quest. Available to buy from Amazon right now! Visit for more details and exclusive information. Cessna152 My aim was to visit at least 100 countries, and with Brazil, I finally did it. I'm now loitering at 104. Or is it 105, I lose count...

Unlike a lot of fellow travellers, I tend to only dip my feet into a country, quite often only staying a day or two before heading off somewhere else. Country numbers 54 and 55 were my first trips alone - something I never thought I'd do. In 2013 I published an e-book entitled The Red Quest, detailing my mission to visit each and every country of the former Soviet Union. Along the way I sa... full info Joined Cities Ireland | Towns Ireland | Towns & Town in Ireland Adare Located in the scenic south west of Ireland, the village of Adare dates back to 1200 A.D. It is widely known as a major Irish tourist attraction and is regarded as one of the prettiest and most picturesque towns in Ireland. During its long history, Adare, as a strategic location, has been the subject of many conquests, wars and rebellions. The old town of Adare, which stood on the northern bank of the river Maigue, near the Desmond castle, was destroyed during the 16th century wars. The present village was built in the 19th century.

The early developments were very haphazard but from about 1820, streets and buildings were laid out according to the then Earl of Dunraven’s design. He built houses and rented them, under various agreements, to his tenants, working on his estate lands.&nb... read more Armagh Armagh is a large settlement in Northern Ireland, and the county town of County Armagh. It is a site of historical importance for both Celtic paganism and Christianity and is the seat, for both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland, of the Archbishop of Armagh. Although classed as a medium-sized town, Armagh was granted city status by Queen Elizabeth II in 1994. Its population of 14,590 (2001 Census) makes it the least-populated city in both Northern Ireland and on the island of Ireland and the fourth smallest in the United Kingdom.... read more Belfast Belfast (from the Irish: Béal Feirste meaning "Mouth of the (River) Farset")is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of devolved government and legislative assembly in Northern Ireland.

It is the largest urban area in Northern Ireland and the province of Ulster, the fifteenth-largest city in the United Kingdom and the second largest city on the island of Ireland. The city suffered greatly during the period of disruption, conflict, and destruction called the Troubles, but latterly has undergone a return to a sustained period of calmness and growth. Originally a town in County Antrim, the county borough of Belfast was created when it was granted city status by Queen Victoria in 1888. The name, Belfast, is the anglicised version of the Irish Béal Feirste, which ... read more Blarney Blarney is a village in south of Ireland, located just 8km of Cork City. Blarney is set in beautiful wooded countryside, steeped in history and magical charm offers the visitor a host of wonderful things to do and places to discover. The Centre of the village is dominated by The Square which is one of the finest things that impresses the first time visitors. Blarney is one of the few villages in Ireland which has such a fine amenity, and today it continues to be a focal point of village life. Blarney village is a major tourist attraction in County Cork.

For many visitors one of the priorities is to kiss the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle in order to receive the gift of “the Blarney” or known as the “gift of the gab” as the locals call it. “There i... read more Clifden Clifden is a town on the coast of County Galway, Ireland and being Connemara's largest town, it is often referred to as "the Capital of Connemara". It is located on the Owenglen River where it flows into Clifden Bay, set between the Atlantic Ocean, 12 Ben Mountains and preserved boglands. The town is linked to Galway city by the N59 and is a popular tourist destination for those touring Connemara. An area at long last recognised as a new popular destination and not just a place to 'breeze through'. Enhanced by spectacular scenery, championship golfing, horse-riding, walking, cycling, hill walking, beaches, fishing, scubadiving, painting, national parks, abbeys, castle ruins and over 5,000 years of living history. Peruse the many shopping choices in Clifden from sweater shops, quality gift ...

read more Cork Cork is the second largest city in the state and the third most populous on the island of Ireland. The city is built on the River Lee, which flows through Cork city in two main channels, so that you find yourself constantly crossing bridges and hence Cork City's coat of arms bears the motto 'A Safe Harbour for Ships'. St. Finbarr is the founder and patron saint. He founded a monastery in the seventh century where St. Finn Barre's Cathedral now stands, and it grew into an extensive and wealthy establishment. It attracted the attention of the Viking sea-pirates who raided and burned the infant city, but returned in later years t... read more Derry Derry or Londonderry (Irish: Doire or Doire Cholm Chille, meaning Oak wood of Colm Cille), often called the Maiden City, is a city in Northern Ireland. The old walled city of Londonderry lies on the west bank of the River Foyle with the location of old Derry on the east bank, the present city now covers both banks (Cityside to the west and Waterside to the east) and the river is spanned by two bridges.

Derry was the last city in the British Isles to be enclosed with defensive walls, and has the most complete series of city walls in the islands. It is one of the few cities in Europe that never saw these fortifications breached. Derry is very near the border with County Donegal in Ireland. The city has had a very close relationship with what is now County Donegal for centuries. The person tr... read more Dingle Dingle is a harbour town set on the Dingle Peninsula in South-West of Ireland. The town also is gateway to the Gaeltacht where Gaelic is the first language. This unique town is full of surprises and waiting to be discovered. The town is renowned for its restaurants, most of which offers excellent local seafood. There is a wide variety of restaurants in Dingle, from burgers and chips to fine dining. Most places today have several vegetarian selections in their menus. Dingle has long been well supplies with pubs, in recent years the number has hovered around 52. There are large, modern pubs and pubs so small that five’s a crowd. At night, the town comes to life as the strains of the bodhran, tin whistle, the fiddle and the accordion fill the night air as the Guinness flows. ...

read more Doolin A small fishing village, also known as Fisherstreet, on a sandy bay some 3km from Aill na Searrach, the northern end of the Cliffs of Moher. Doolin is world-famous for its wealth of Irish folk music and in recent years has been attracting crowds to spontaneous sessions and festivals or 'fleadhanna' of Irish and international music. Lots of music pubs and restaurants. Overlooked by Doonagore Castle, an unusual circular tower within a walled bawn enclosure, which has been restored as a residence. Nearer the sea, Iron Age burial mounds dot the surrounding landscape. One of Doolin's claims to fame is that it is the main setting for the PlayStation 3 game Folklore. According to the game's storyline, the Netherworld, the world of the dead is a realm that can only be accessed from one place ... read more Downpatrick Downpatrick is one of Ireland's most ancient and historic towns. It takes its name from a fort which once stood on the hill that dominates the town and on which Down Cathedral stands.

Ptolemy, about the year AD 130, includes it (in Latin) as Dunum in his list of towns of Ireland. The old name of the town was Rath Celtair named after the fictional warrior of Ulster called Celtchar who resided there and who fought alongside Ulster King Conchobar mac Neasa (Conor Mac Nessa) and is mentioned in the Ulster Cycle and, in particular, the Táin Bó Cuailgne . The name was superseded by the name Dún Lethglaise then Dún Dá Lethglas which in turn gave way, in the 13th century, to the present name of Dún Phádraig (anglicised as Downpatrick) - from the town's connection with the patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick was reputedly buried here in 461 on Cathedral Hill, within the grounds of Down Cathedral. His grave is still a place of pilgrimage on St Patricks Day (17 March each year). The Saint Patrick Visitor Centre in Downpatrick is purpose-built to tell the story of St Patrick.... read more Dublin Dublin is both the largest city and capital of Ireland.

It is located near the midpoint of Ireland's east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey and at the centre of the Dublin Region. Founded as a Viking settlement, the city has been Ireland's primary city for most of the island's history since medieval times. Today, it is an economic, administrative and cultural centre for the island of Ireland and has one of the fastest growing populations of any European capital city. The city has a world-famous literary history, having produced many prominent literary figures, including Nobel laureates William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw and Samuel Beckett. Other influential writers and playwrights from Dublin include Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift and the creator of Dracula, Bram Stoker. It is ar... read more Edinburgh Edinburgh, the inspiring capital city of Scotland, where centuries of history meet a vibrant, cosmopolitan city in an unforgettable setting. Situated in Lothian, on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, Edinburgh is rich in associations with the past and has many historic buildings, including Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, the churches of St. Giles, Greyfriars and the Canongate, and an extensive Georgian New Town built in the 18th century.

Edinburgh's Old Town and New Town are jointly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city hosts the annual Edinburgh International Festival, which is one of many events that run between the end of July and early September each year. The best known of these events are the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Edinburgh International Festival, the ... read more Galway Galway is the only city in the province of Connacht in Ireland. In Irish, Galway is also called Cathair na Gaillimhe: "City of Galway". Galway city also has a reputation amongst Irish cities for being associated with the Irish language, music, song and dancing traditions - it is sometimes referred to as the 'Bilingual Capital of Ireland'. The city takes its name from the Gaillimh river (River Corrib) that formed the western boundary of the earliest settlement, which was called Dún Bhun na Gaillimhe, or the fort at the bottom of the Gaillimh. The word Gaillimh means "stony" as in "stony river".

(the mythical and alternative derivations are given in History of Galway.) The city also bears the nickname City of the Tribes / Cathair na dTreabh, because fourteen[1] “Tribe... read more Glasgow Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, and the third largest in the United Kingdom. It is situated on the River Clyde in the country's West Central Lowlands.Glasgow grew from a small rural settlement on the River Clyde to become one of the largest seaports in Britain. Expanding from the medieval bishopric and royal burgh, and the later establishment of the University of Glasgow in the 15th century, it became a major centre of the Scottish Enlightenment in the 18th century. From the 18th century the city also grew as one of Great Britain's main hubs of transatlantic trade with North America and the West Indies. In Glasgow, Scotland’s city of style, you can find world-class attractions, museums and galleries, stunning architecture, works by renowned designer and artist Charles Rennie... read more Kenmare Kenmare (Irish: An Neidín) is a small town in the south of County Kerry, Ireland.

The Irish name for the town 'An Neidín' translates into English as 'The Little Nest'. The name Kenmare is the anglicised form of Ceann Mhara "head of the sea", which refers to the furthest point inland reached by the sea. Kenmare is located at the head of Kenmare Bay sometimes called the Kenmare River (An Ribhéar) where the Roughty River (An Ruachtach) flows into the sea, and at the junction of the Iveragh Peninsula and the Beara Peninsula. The traditional Irish name of the bay was Inbhear Scéine from the celtic inver, which is recorded in the 11th Century narrative Lebor Gabála Érenn as the arrival point of the mythological Irish ancestor Partholón. It is also... read more Kilkenny Kilkenny is the county town of County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore, at the centre of County Kilkenny in the province of Leinster in the south-east of Ireland. Kilkenny City is administered by a borough council and has a Mayor.

The population of the town and its environs is approximately 25,000. The majority of the population of Kilkenny City live outside the borough boundary. From an ecclesiastical foundation, Kilkenny was the ancient capital of the kingdom of Ossory. The town was established, then a city, in 1609 by royal charter. Kilkenny was the capital of Confederate Ireland between 1642 and 1649. The seat of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Ossory and the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cashel and Ossory are in Kilkenny. Kilkenny is famous for its mediev... read more Killarney This little town is world-famous due to its exquisite location beside lakes and mountains.Take a horse-drawn jaunting car ride through the grounds of the Killarney National Park to Muckross House and Gardens. Tour the house with a local guide to learn about the history and lifestyles of previous owners and perhaps stroll through the gardens on the shores of Muckross Lake.

As well as being a perfect location from which to explore the south western region of Ireland, for centuries the Killarney Valley has been recognised far and wide as Ireland's most beautiful destination - being aptly titled as "Heaven's Reflex". It inspired Poet Laureate Alfred Austin to write - "If mountain, wood and water harmoniously blent, constitute the most perfect and adequate loveliness that nature presents, ... read more Kinsale The medieval town of Kinsale is not just about food, it’s also about traditional bars, beautiful buildings, narrow streets, shops and galleries and lots of activities on land and sea. You'll find Kinsale's not just a place - it's more a state of mind! Drive to Kinsale, a delightful old town on a narrow inlet of the sea. Formerly a fishing and merchant town, today it is popular for sailing and gourmet food. Join a local guide for a short walking tour to see some historic places. Start at Charles Fort to understand the importance of Kinsale’s location for trading and defense and then walk around some of the old streets.

Kinsale can easily claim its place amongst Ireland's most historic locations for this has been a centre of population, commerce, trade and fishing far beyond memo... read more Limerick Limerick is located in the Mid-West Region of Ireland and is also part of the province of Munster. Limerick City is the hub and capital of the Shannon Region and the 3rd largest city in the Republic of Ireland. Its colourful and fascinating history is evident everywhere and proudly maintained. From the times more than a thousand years ago, when the Vikings first developed it, to the present day, Limerick has been the greatest seaport of the west of Ireland. Its magnificent river, the lordly Shannon, has been part of one of Ireland's oldest routes. In early medieval time’s hermits, heroes, soldiers, raiders, students and pilgrims, all travelled along this 'water highway' from the Atlantic Ocean through to the Irish midlands and beyond. Buildings ancient and historical, middle-aged an... read more Listowel Listowel is a market town positioned in the very heart of North Kerry in County Kerry, Ireland.

Listowel is situated on the River Feale at the head of the North Kerry limestone plain, about 28km (17miles) from the county town, Tralee. Town’s long history dates back to 1303 where it first appears in the Plea Roll. The town developed around Listowel Castle, fortress to the Fitzmaurice family, and its significant Square. The last bastion against Queen Elizabeth I in the Desmond campaign, Listowel Castle was built in the 15th century and was the last fortress of the Geraldines to be subdued. It fell after 28 days siege to Sir Charles Wilmot on the 5th November, 1600, who had the castle's garrison executed in the following days. The castle became the property of the Hare family, the... read more Roundstone The village of Roundstone lies on the western arm of Bertraghboy bay in Connemara, Co. Galway, 48 miles (77km) north-west of Galway city. The village is beautifully set on one of the most spectacular coastal drives in Europe overlooking the Atlantic at the foot of Errisbeg Mountain.

Enjoy the views of the island-dotted Atlantic coastline and the Clifden bog from Errisbeg, a small mountain behind the village of Roundstone. The vicinity is rich in points of historical, geological and scenic interest. The remains of numerous early Christian settlements have been found on the islands along this coast. At the northern point of Inishnee, the long island across the bay from Roundstone, stand the remains of an ancient monument to Saint Brendan. From the island’s southern, point, an impressiv... read more St. Andrews St Andrews is a former royal burgh on the east coast of Fife in Scotland, named after Saint Andrew the Apostle. The town is home to the University of St Andrews, the third oldest university in the English-speaking world and the oldest in Scotland. The University is an integral part of the burgh, and during term time students make up approximately one third of the town's population.There has been an important church in St Andrews since at least the 8th century, and a bishopric since at least the 11th century. The settlement grew to the west of St Andrews cathedral with the southern side of the Scores to the north and the Kinness burn to the south.

The burgh soon became the ecclesiastical capital of Scotland, a position which was held until the Scottish Reformation. The famous cathedral, the... read more Waterford Waterford City is the capital of the Sunny South East of Ireland and Ireland's oldest city. The city hosts a number of festivals during the year including the ever-popular Spraoi. A natural playground for Arts, Golf, Water Sports, Equestrian, Walking, Angling and Cycling enthusiasts, Waterford City and County offer the complete holiday experience. Waterford City was founded by Viking traders in 914 and it has an exciting medieval flavour and riverside bustle. The Waterford Museum of Treasures tells the 1000-year-story of Waterford from the treasures of Viking Waterford at Reginald's Tower, the oldest civic urban building in Ireland, to the story of Georgian Waterford at the Bishop's Palace from 1700 to 1970.Waterford Crystal Visitor CentreWaterford City is the home of Waterford Crystal, a ...

read more Cork City and Around | Cork City Guide | Discover Ireland | Discover Ireland Cork City Your Cork City & Around Guide Steeped in history, Cork City is fast gaining a reputation as one of Europe's hippest cities. Like Venice, the city is built upon water, and the city centre is built on an island in the River Lee , just upstream of Cork Harbour. The two channels of the River Lee which embrace the city centre are spanned by many bridges, and this gives the city a distinctive continental air. Explore the City Exploring Cork is an enjoyable, multi-day pursuit. Ring the Shandon Bells in the 300-year-old tower of St. Anne's Church, and marvel at the French Gothic spires of St. Finbarre's Cathedral . You will discover unique shopping and dining options, including the English Market , with its stalls selling foods from all over the world, and numerous pedestrian walkways and sidewalks flanked by smart boutiques and major department stores. At every corner you'll come across another panoramic view, another interesting architectural feature and some of the best art galleries , theatres and museums in Ireland.

Blarney and Kinsale No visit would be complete without a trip to Blarney Castle , home to the famous Blarney Stone. Tradition says that those who kiss the stone will receive the gift of eloquence. You can also wander around the narrow streets of Kinsale, the gourmet capital of Ireland. Cork City Tourism Information Stay, See & Do Cork Towns Cork City Cork City is Ireland's third city (after Dublin and Belfast) and has always been an important seaport. It began on an island in the swampy estuary of the River Lee (the name Corcaigh means a marsh), and gradually climbed up the steep banks on either side. Today the river flows through Cork city in two main channels, so that you find yourself constantly crossing bridges and hence Cork City's coat of arms bears the motto 'A Safe Harbour for Ships'. Some of the main streets are built over channels where ships nuzzled their anchor-chains a century ago. Along the South Mall, you will see large gateways at street level, under steps leading to a higher main door. These were once boathouses, when merchants arrived at their warehouses by water.

As the hilly streets go up and down, so do the voices of the citizens. They have a characteristic sing-song cadence, beloved of national comedians, and Corkonians are regarded as the most talkative of all the Irish. St. Finbarr is the founder and patron saint. He founded a monastery in the seventh century where St. Finn Barre's Cathedral now stands, and it grew into an extensive and wealthy establishment. It attracted the attention of the Viking sea-pirates who raided and burned the infant city, but returned in later years to settle and trade. The Anglo-Norman invasion in 1172 resulted in both the Danish lords and local McCarthy chiefs having to submit to Henry II, but Cork has always had a reputation for independence and stubborn resistance: it came to be known as "Rebel Cork". The best way to see the city of Cork and sample the flavour of its life, is to walk. There is a signpost Walking Tour, so get the accompanying booklet and set off to explore the hilly streets and meet the people. St. Finn Barre's Cathedral St. Finn barre's Cathedral is a splendid triple-spired example of French-gothic architecture.

It stands where the saint established his monastic school about 650 AD. Among its most striking features are the fine rose window, the mosaic pavements and the elaborate carving throughout. Walk along the Western Road to Tudor-Gothic University College with its attractive riverside quadrangle, and visit the Honan Chapel there. It is modelled on Cormac's Chapel at Cashel, and has a superb interior including stained-glass windows by Sarah Purser and Harry Clarke. Make your way up the North Main Street where the Cork Vision Centre is located, then over North Gate Bridge and climb up Shandon Church, the tower of which you will have noticed dominating the north side of the city from its lofty hill-top position. Two sides of the tower are faced with red sandstone, two with white limestone - "Partly coloured like the people, red and white is Shandon Steeple" goes an old doggerel. Its peal of eight bells, cast in Gloucester in 1750, have become famous, and you may play them yourself, from "music" cards supplied. Your rendering of Danny Boy or Ave Maria will drift gently down the hill and over the river, to be heard all over the city.

Corkonians depend on Shandon clock for their time, and its fish weather-vane for their weather forecast. Visit a few of the churches: St Mary's Cathedral, north of Shandon, with its notable carvings; the graceful Father Matthew Memorial Church, St. Mary's Dominican Church where is preserved the "miraculous" statuette of Our Lady of Graces. Walk up a bit of Patrick' s Hill, if you have the legs for it, just to feel the steepness. Then maybe up Summer Hill or Wellington road which runs parallel till you come to St. Luke's Cross and Montenotte, the latter the former residential area of the Merchants of Cork, from here you can look down over the port and harbour, and the river widening away to the south passing Blackrock Castle and on towards the sea. The Cork Heritage Park at Blackrock is well worth a visit. Back on "the flat" of the city again, See the cityhall.jpg (21095 bytes)City Hall, a fine modern building nicely reflected in the river.

Visit the Markets, The English Market with openings off Princes Street, Patrick Street and the Grand Parade, a covered market for fish, fruit, meat and vegetable, on the Coal Quay (pronounced Kay), the open-air market which is as much part of the folk-culture of Cork as is Shandon. The Crawford Gallery in Emmet Place houses an interesting sculpture collection, including some Rodin bronzes and a fine collection of paintings. In the Grand Parade you will find the Berwick Fountain, The National Monument, and Bishop Lucey Park, which you enter through magnificent gates, which have been relocated from the old entrance to the Corporation yard in Anglesea Street. Exit the park at the South beamish-crawford.jpg (24153 bytes) Main Street. Here you will see Beamish & Crawford Brewery where Beamish Stout is brewed and exported all over the world. You will hear Corkonians refer to "the statue" (it may sound like "de statcha" in some voices). They will be talking about the monument to Father Theobald Matthew, 19th century Apostle of Temperance.

Unpopular as you might expect his cause to be in a place like Ireland, in fact it became a national crusade. His status at the end of Patrick Street, near Patrick's Bridge, is Cork's best known landmark The Old Gaol in Sunday's Well has been restored and is one of the many Visitor Attractions in Cork. It tells the story of the everyday life in the Gaol in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Some of the original cells have been restored and an Audio Visual programme has been provided. Looking for Night Entertainment try the Cork Opera House for a wide range of Music Events and Plays and also the Everyman Theatre on MacCurtain Street or for more information on nights clubs and take in some of Cork City's traditional Irish pubs here and Cork City Live Gig venues. Hotel The River Lee, Cork, Ireland - Booking.com 9.4 On the banks of Cork’s River Lee, this luxurious hotel is a 5-minute walk from central Cork. It boasts air-conditioned rooms, bistro, free parking and a spa centre with pool. The spacious rooms at the River Lee Hotel have floor-to-ceiling windows and are decorated in fresh light colours and modern fabrics.

They feature a flat-screen satellite TV, free internet access and bathrooms with a power shower and under-floor heating. The stylish Weir Bistro overlooks the river and has an international menu. The Weir bar offers light snacks, fresh coffees and has an outdoor terrace. At NRG Fitness, guests can relax in the spa bath, sauna and steam room. It also has a gym and regular fitness classes, whilst there a range of indulgent treatments available at The Vanilla Browns Spa. St. Finnbar’s Cathedral and the Beamish Brewery are both 1,000 feet away. Cork Opera House is a 10-minute walk away. This property also has one of the top-rated locations in Cork! Guests are happier about it compared to other properties in the area. This property is also rated for the best value in Cork! Guests are getting more for their money when compared to other properties in this city. We speak your language!

The River Lee Hotel a member of The Doyle Collection has been welcoming Booking.com guests since Sept 27, 2010 Hotel Rooms: 182 Read more Booking.com Guest Review Guidelines To keep the rating score and review content relevant for your upcoming trip, we archive reviews older than 24 months. Only a customer who has booked through Booking.com and stayed at the property in question can write a review. This allows us to verify that our reviews come from real guests like you. Who better to tell others about the free breakfast, friendly staff, or their comfortable room than someone who’s stayed at the property? We want you to share your story, with both the good and the not-so-good. All we ask is that you follow a few simple guidelines. Reviews Vision We believe review contributions and property responses will highlight a wide range of opinions and experiences, which is critical in helping guests make informed decisions about where to stay. Reviews Principles Contributions to Booking.com are a reflection of the dedication of our guests and properties, so we treat them with the utmost respect. Whether negative or positive, we'll post every comment in full and as quickly as possible, provided the guidelines are met. We'll also provide transparency over the status of submitted content.

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The nation has been largely influenced by English domination since the 1600s. The Irish War of Independence witnessed the splitting of the land into independent Ireland and Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom, in 1949. With a population of approximately 6 million, the picturesque locales are listed among the top ten tourist hot spots in the world. In this article, we'll look at 6 major cities in Ireland, important information regarding the county towns, and also some quick facts about the country. You will find an overview on each major city, its population, and some amazing facts. Major Cities and Counties of Ireland Dublin The capital and the most populous city of Ireland, Dublin is the fifth largest city in Europe. Apart from being the contemporary cultural center of the country, Dublin is also a modern center of education, arts, administration, economy, and industry. It is considered among the top 30 cities in the world. Dublin is divided into 2 parts, Northside and Southside, by River Liffey. Dublin enjoys pleasant climate throughout the year; there are no temperature extremes. It is estimated that more than 50% of Dublin's population is younger than 25.

It is thus considered one of Europe's most youthful cities. The nightlife is vibrant and there are many places that people can enjoy. The Dublin Writers Museum, James Joyce Museum, birthplace of George Bernard Shaw, Malahide Castle, Fry Model Railway, Talbot Botanic Gardens and Tara's Palace are a few attractions in Dublin. The city is also famous for its shopping experience. Cork Situated in the southwestern part of the country, Cork is the second largest city of Ireland. The city is built on the River Lee. It can be termed as a typical Irish city with old-styled narrow streets. Earlier known for its heavy industries, Cork has now transformed to a city that is equipped with great IT companies and chemical plants. It is home to great architecture and pedestrian-friendly routes. Cork highlights visual treats in the River Lee, South Mall, County Hall tower, Elysian, church tower of Shandon, Cork City Hall, St. Mary's Cathedral, St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork Opera House, University College and English Market. The climate of cork is not extreme; winters are mild and summers are cool. Cork is famous for its traditional food.

Limerick The city of Limerick is built on the curves and islands of River Shannon, and is situated in the midwest region of Ireland. It is the fifth most populous city in Ireland. It has a vibrant music scene and nightlife. It is also one of the cloudiest cities of Ireland with an average of 62 days of no sunshine recorded. Connected by Shannon Airport, the city offers tourists the services of 'Street Ambassadors'. Tourist attractions in Limerick include King John's Castle, Hunt Museum, St Mary's Cathedral, University of Limerick, Treaty Stone, Foynes Flying Boat Museum and the Jim Kemmy Municipal Museum. The milk market in the city is one of the oldest market run in the country. Kilkenny The city of Kilkenny is a popular tourist destination in Ireland, well-known for its cultural life. It is built on both the banks of River Nore in the province of Leinster. Kilkenny has a very rich heritage, some of the historic buildings include Kilkenny Castle, St. Canice's Cathedral and round tower, Rothe House, Shee Alms House, Black Abbey, St. Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny Town Hall, St.

Francis Abbey, Grace's Castle, and St. John's Priory. Kilkenny has always attracted culturally-aware people, the craft and design workshops, the Watergate theater, the public garden and the museum are some of the main attractions of the city. Kilkenny is 73 mi (117 kilometers) from the capital Dublin and 30 mi (48 kilometers) north from Waterford. The city records some of the highest summer and lowest winter temperatures in Ireland. For its rich cultural heritage and beautiful countryside feel Kilkenny is one of the most visited cities in Ireland. Galway Known as the Cultural Heart of Ireland, Galway hosts a number of celebratory events and cultural festivals. Its young population and contribution to art and music makes it a popular tourist destination in Ireland. It is located on the west coast and gets its name from the Gaillimh river. The city is also referred to as the City of the Tribes. Galway is famous for its traditional street performances.

It plays host to a number of popular festivals such as the Galway Arts Festival, Astronomy Festival, the Cúirt International Festival of Literature, Galway Film Fleadh, Galway International Oyster Festival, Tulca Visual Arts Festival and the Spirit of Voice Festival every November. Galway experiences mild climates with abundant rainfall, hail and snow are very rare. Waterford Well-known around the world due to its association with the famous Waterford Crystal, a glass making industry, Waterford is considered to be the oldest city of Ireland. It is home to Reginald's Tower, the oldest civic building in Ireland. The 10th century fortifications, medieval architecture and pedestrianized areas have established Waterford as a tourist's delight. It is home to the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Red Square, Ballybricken and People's Park. Like the rest of Ireland, the climate of Waterford is mild. Waterford International Festival of Light Opera, is a famous music festival that takes place in the city every year. County Towns Ireland is politically divided into Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Initially Ireland was divided into 32 counties, out of which 26 later formed Republic of Ireland and the remaining 6 made up Northern Ireland.

A county, derived from a french word conté, is a geographical area of a country that forms the chief unit of local administration. Counties in Ireland are traditionally divided into 4 provinces - Leinster (12 counties), Munster (6 counties), Connacht (5 Counties) and Ulster (9 counties). In the Republic each county is administered by an elected "county council", and the old provincial divisions are merely traditional names with no political significance. However, today the traditional 32 counties and 4 provinces remain in common usage for many sporting, cultural and other purposes. Some of the major county towns are listed in the table. Interesting Quick Facts on Ireland Ireland is amongst the top 50 eco-friendly countries. Globally, it's the first nation to introduce an environmental levy on plastic shopping bags (2002) and a public smoking ban (2004). Dublin has recently introduced 'ecocabs' that are free of cost for pedestrians and are eco-friendly (pedal powered). It was also the first European country to ban incandescent light bulbs (2008) and in-store tobacco advertising (2009).

The Irish High Cross The green Shamrock, the harp, and the Celtic cross are the three most famous symbols of Ireland. Ireland is the third largest island in Europe and boasts the 2nd highest GDP per capita in the EU. About 88% of the Irish population is Roman Catholic and has one of the highest rates of church attendance in the Western World. "A thing of beauty is a joy forever" - John Keats Ireland boasts of some of the biggest names in performing arts and literature. Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, Bernard Shaw, Keats and Bram Stoker are few Irish literature greats. U2, Oasis, Boyzone, Cranberries, Westlife are few bands from the music world that hail from Ireland. While Pierce Brosnan, Peter O'Toole, Richard Harris and Colin Farrell are popular Irish personalities of the silver screen. The ancestral and official language of Ireland is Irish Gaelic with English also spoken widely. An estimated 80 million people of Irish descent live outside Ireland, and about 36 million Americans have reported Irish ancestry and about half of all Australians can claim to be Irish descendants.

Guinness - One of the Ireland's most famous beers Ireland is renowned for its breweries, with Guinness and Irish Bailey's being its most popular exports. The Irish are known to consume an average of 131.1 liters of beer per year, the 2nd highest per capita consumption in the EU. Once known as the 'Island of Saints and Scholars', today Ireland is known for its vibrant youth, stunning scenery, world-class rock musicians and software exports (world's leading software exporter!). Not to forget the famed Irish wit and humor along with the ever-welcoming pubs serving a pint of Guinness. Gaynor Borade Rivers of Ireland | Look Around Ireland Rivers of Ireland Rivers of Ireland The rivers of Ireland are one of the most intriguing elements of the landscape. In proportion to the size of the island of Ireland, there exists a huge amount of rivers and river kilometres. The River Shannon is the longest in the British Isles. Apart from the 10 longest rivers listed below, there are shorter but significant rivers of great importance to the towns and cities they pass through or where they enter the sea.

Some of these would include the River Lagan, which exits through Belfast, the River Foyle, which forms a very wide expanse of water as it exits through Derry City. The Avonmore and Avonbeg Rivers form the famous Meeting of the Waters joining as the River Avoca and then enter the Irish Sea at the busy port of Arklow in County Wicklow . 10 Longest Rivers of Ireland River Shannon 386km The Avoca The River Avoca is somewhat unusual as it begins as two separate rivers, the Avonmore (in Irish, Abhainn Mhór, meaning “large river”) and the Avonbeg (Abhainn Bheag, meaning “small river”). These two rivers converge to form the Avoca. This happens at the “ Meeting of the Waters ”, a place of incredible scenic beauty.The river itself is located in the county of Wicklow and enters the sea at Arklow. It flows through the Irish village also named Avoca which is the setting for the BBC series “Ballykissangel”. Despite its amazing natural beauty, major concerns have arisen in recent years concerning pollution of the river. The Bandon The Bandon is a river located in Co. Cork .

It rises in the Shehy Mountains in the west of the county and flows eastward through Dunmanway, Balineen, Enniskeane, Bandon and Inishannon to Kinsale Harbour. The river is a good fishing area and has an estimated catch of 1300 salmon and a similar catch of sea-trout per year. The Bann The Bann is the longest river in Northern Ireland , stretching a total of 129 kilometres from the Mourne Mountains in County Down to the northern coast of Ireland, entering the Atlantic Ocean at Portstewart. The Bann is unusual as it flows into the very large Lough Neagh at Bannfoot, Co. Armagh before continuing its journey northward. The has led to the River Bann being divided into two rivers; the Upper Bann which lies to the south of Lough Neagh and the Lower Bann which lies to the north. Numerous activities take place along the Bann, including cruises, canoeing, rowing, waterskiing, angling and several others. The Barrow The Barrow is one of the “Three Sisters” rivers which are comprised of the Nore, the Suir and the Barrow.

All three rise in the same mountainous area of Tipperary and flow in a southerly direction. It is 192 kilometres in length (the second longest in Ireland) and enters the Atlantic Ocean at Waterford. It also links with the Grand Canal at Athy, which connects Dublin with the Shannon in the west. The Barrow also passes through the town of New Ross in Co. Wexford where the replica famine ship “ The Dunbrody ” can be seen. The Boyne The River Boyne, one of the more well-known Irish rivers, has its source near Edenderry, Co. Offaly . It is approximately 112 kilometres in length and enters the Irish Sea at Drogheda. The River Boyne is a highly popular fishing area, particularly for trout and salmon fishing, and also boasts many beautiful scenic views along its course. However, the Boyne is most renowned for its prominence in Irish history and folklore. The Battle of the Boyne took place in 1690 near Drogheda along the banks of the river and would be considered one of the most famous battles in Irish history.

Steeped in Celtic mythology, the River Boyne is also believed to be the location of “ The Salmon of Knowledge ”, an ancient Irish legend. The Corrib The River Corrib is located in Co. Galway and is one of Ireland’s shortest rivers, a mere 6 kilometres in length. Despite this, it is quite well-known as it flows through the heart of Galway City after travelling the short distance from Lough Corrib where it rises. The Corrib is also one of the most powerful rivers in Ireland and excellent for whitewater kayaking, although a certain amount of experience is recommended given the level of difficulty. Rowing is also popular in this river, and river cruises take place regularly aboard the “Corrib Princess”. The Erne The River Erne is located in the north-west of Ireland, rising in Beaghy Lough in County Cavan and flowing in a general north-westerly direction. It is approximately 120 kilometres in length and winds its way through a number of loughs including Upper and Lower Lough Erne. The river derives its name from ancient Celtic mythology, from the name of a princess named Éirne .

The Erne is also remembered in a famous Irish ballad, “Buaichaill Ó n Éirne”. Boating, water-sports and swimming also take place on the River Erne, in addition to trout fishing. The Foyle One of the more noted rivers in Ireland is the River Foyle which flows through Derry City. It is a confluence of the rivers Finn and Mourne at the towns of Lifford in County Donegal and Strabane in County Tyrone . From here it flows to the City of Derry where it discharges into Lough Foyle and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean. The River Foyle is also the fastest flowing river in Europe for its size. The river is home to a number of sporting clubs and a small mooring facility is available for small yachts in Derry City. The main sports on the river are canoeing, sailing, and rowing. Swimming is prohibited because of the dangerous currents. The Lagan The River Lagan rises on the slopes of the Slieve Croom Mountain in Co. Down and flows for 60 kilometres in a general north-easterly direction to Belfast City , where it enters the Irish Sea.

The River Lagan is sometimes referred to as the birthplace of the Titanic, which was built in the Harland and Wolffe shipyard in Belfast and launched at ther mouth of the Lagan before making its way to Southampton for its doomed maiden voyage. Fish stocks in this river declined drastically at one stage but in the last few years have begun to recover somewhat. Rowing is also popular on this river. The Lee Stretching a total of 90 kilometres, the River Lee flows eastward across Co. Cork , rising in the Shehy Mountains in the west of the county and flowing through Cork City before entering the Celtic Sea near Cobh. The Lee is synonymous with Cork sport, with the Cork Gaelic Football and Hurling teams commonly referred to as “The Leesiders”. Numerous water-sports also take place on the River Lee including rowing, kayaking and swimming. Most notably, the “Vibes & Scribes” Lee Swim, a 2000 metre swim for charity, takes place on an annual basis and attracts thousands of spectators. The river also provides an 8 kilometre stretch of salmon fishing.

The Liffey The Liffey rises in the Wicklow Mountains and flows for 125 kilometres through counties Wicklow , Kildare and Dublin before entering the Irish Sea at Dublin Bay. Because it is the main river associated with Dublin City , the capital of Ireland, it is quite well known. Historically, the river Liffey was a highly important trade river, even as far back as Viking times, and in the present age is still an important river for trade. The Grand Canal and Royal Canal connect the Liffey with the Shannon, further enhancing the Liffey as a trade route. The river is used by a number of rowing clubs and the “Liffey Descent” is an annual 27 kilometre canoeing event. The Mourne The River Mourne is a tributary of the River Foyle and is located in Co. Tyrone , Northern Ireland. It rises near Newtownstewart and flows in a north-westerly direction before merging with the Foyle at Strabane. It is reputed as one of the best salmon fishing area in Northern Ireland . There is also an excellent run of sea trout from the end of June onwards.

The river is home to a number of angling clubs, including the Sion Mills Angling Club which manages the fishing rights of a significant part of the River Mourne. The Moy Rising in the Ox Mountains in County Sligo , the River Moy flows 110 kilometres through Sligo and Mayo before entering the Atlantic Ocean at Killala Bay. Along its course it enters the historic town of Ballina. The Moy Valley is very popular with tourists due to the numerous historic ruins, churches, abbeys, which can be seen in this area of the countryside. The River Moy was once one of the best salmon fisheries in Europe, however due to drift net fishing off the coast salmon numbers have declined dramatically. This eventually resulted in drift netting for salmon being banned in 2006. The Munster Blackwater The Munster Blackwater (so called to differentiate it from the Leinster Blackwater) is one of Ireland’s largest rivers and in the Irish language is known as “An Abhainn Mh ór” which translates as “the great river”. It has also been referred to as “the Irish Rhine”.

The river is approximately 170 kilometres long, rising in the Mullaghareirk Mountains in Kerry , flowing east through Co. Cork before turning sharply south at Cappoquin, Co. Waterford and entering the sea at Youghal Harbour. The Munster Blackwater is best known as an excellent area for salmon fishing, although in recent years salmon stocks have sharply declined. The Nore The second of the Three Sisters, the Nore, rises on the slopes of the Devil’s Bit mountain in Co. Tipperary and flows in a south-easterly direction for 140 kilometres before joining the Barrow just north of New Ross in Co. Wexford . The Nore also flows through the Mount Juliet estate, one of Ireland’s top golf courses. Salmon and brown trout are plentiful and fishing rights on the Nore are held by Kilkenny Fishing Club. Historically, many water-reliant industries were based on the Nore, such as breweries and distillaries. The Shannon Measuring 386 kilometres in length, the River Shannon is the longest river on the island of Ireland. Flowing in a southerly direction, the Shannon rises in the Shannon Pot in Co.

Cavan on the slopes of the Cuilcagh mountain, passes through or between 10 different counties and enters the Atlantic Ocean at the Shannon Estuary near Limerick City . The river Shannon is significant from Irish historical, economical and social perspectives. As far back as the 10th century, Vikings used the Shannon in order to attack and raid Irish monasteries further inland. In the following centuries the Shannon played an important roles in many of the battles and wars which took place in Ireland as it effectively divides the western part of the island from the east. The Shannon boasts much beautiful scenery along its course, and a wide variety of activities take place including cruises, watersports, etc. The Slaney According to Irish mythology, the River Slaney derived its name from an Irish chieftain named Slainghe who resided in the area. The Slaney is located in the south-east of the country, rising on Lugnaquilla Mountain in Wicklow and flowing southwards, mainly through Co. Wexford . It is 117 kilometres in length and is noted in particular for the abundance of wildlife along its course.

Deer are common in the northern part of its course, in addition to otters, herons, etc. Because of the abundance of wildlife, bird-watching is a popular past-time for many people in the area. The Suir The River Suir (184 kilometres in length) is the third of the Three Sisters and flows south from the Devil’s Bit mountain before turning sharply east at the Comeragh Mountains (forming the border between Co. Waterford and Co. Kilkenny ) and entering the Atlantic Ocean at Wexford Harbour. The River Suir has a rich history; stone settlements near the mouth of the river indicate that human settlement of this area dates back as far as 4000 B.C. It also formed the western border of the ancient Irish Kingdom of Osraí (the Barrow formed the eastern border). In recent years, Viking settlements have been discovered on the banks of the river. Many activities now take place on the Suir, with fishing and boating being two of the more popular ones. The Tolka The River Tolka flows from near Dunshaughlin in Co. Meath into the Northside of Dublin City and from there into Dublin Bay. This river is particularly noted for its flooding.

This caused much damage to residential areas in the past which has resulted in the building of extra defences in recent years. The Tolka is very popular for fly fishing, with large supplies of trout and salmon. Fishing on the river is controlled by the Tolka Trout Anglers club and riparian owners. The River Tolka is also connected to the Royal Canal.

Question: Which world famous city in Eire stands on the River Lee?
Answer: CORK