Cork Tourist Attractions Cork (Corcaigh, "Marshy Place") is
Ireland's largest city after Dublin and Belfast, with an
international airport. It lies on the south coast, apparently
inland but in fact linked with the sea by way of Cork Harbor and
the narrow channel called Passage West. The central area of Cork
is in effect an island enclosed between the two arms of the
River Lee, the North and South Channels. The river, spanned by
several bridges within the city, flows into Lough Mahon as Cork
Harbor is also called.Cork is the intellectual center of
southern Ireland, with many cultural institutions, including the
Cork Literary and Scientific Society, founded in 1820. It has a
college of the National University of Ireland and two
cathedrals, Roman Catholic and Protestant.Cork is also a
considerable port, mainly shipping agricultural produce. Its
industries include foodstuffs, textiles, footwear and
chemicals.Cork's history began with the founding of a monastery
by St Finbarr (seventh century) on a small alluvial