CORK, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

The center of Cork is located on an island between two channels of the Lee River.

City Center

St Patrick's Street runs through the heart of the city. It offers a host of shopping opportunities and boasts some of Europe's largest retail chains. Oliver Plunkett Street, which runs partly parallel to Patrick's Street, bustles with smaller shops, life and color. Second-hand books, hand-made chocolates, an infinite array of surprises can be found in the alleyways and lanes around this central shopping district. Heading west, one comes to the English Market, the culinary heart of Cork, boasting a huge array of fresh local produce, and tantalizing international delicacies. Following St Patrick's Street eastwards leads to the statue of Father Mathew, much respected founding father of the Irish Temperance Movement. Tucked off to the left, one finds the Cork Opera House, venue for national and international theater, opera, and concerts. The Crawford Art Gallery with its impressive collection to suit modern and traditional tastes is also to be found here. At the other end of St.... more