Cork (pop. 222,526) is the second largest city of the Republic of Ireland. Only Dublin, the capital, has more people. Cork is also the Irish Republic’s second most important city—after Dublin—in such activities as manufacturing and trade and in education, medicine, and other services. Cork lies in County Cork in southern Ireland, at the northwest end of Cork Harbour. The central part of the city is on an island between two branches of the River Lee. The rest of Cork spreads over hilly land north and south of the river. The Irish name for Cork is Corcaigh.
Cork’s location on an island and hills gives the city a picturesque appearance. Cork has several beautiful churches, including St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral. University College Cork is in the city.
Cork is an exporting and importing center. Goods manufactured in the Cork area include alcoholic beverages and processed foods, chemicals, electronics products, petroleum products, steel, and textiles.
Vikings established Cork in the 800’s, though a small settlement had previously been on the site. Cork grew rapidly during the 1700’s, when its merchants established industries that processed agricultural products and handled goods being exported and imported. At that time, the originally swampy island was drained and became the core of the city. Cork later grew to include higher land north and south of the island. Cobh, a town near Cork, became the main port of departure for Irish emigrants sailing to North America in the 1800’s.
See also Cobh; Cork, County; Ireland; Lee, River.
