“At the top of its game: sophisticated, vibrant and diverse” – words used to describe Cork city in the The Best in Travel guide 2010 published this week by Lonely Planet. The inclusion is “a major boost” for the city in recessionary times. Cork is the only Irish listing in the Lonely Planet for 2010. Among the other international cities listed were: Abu Dhabi, Charleston (South Carolina, USA), Cuenca (Ecuador), Istanbul, Kyoto, Lecce in Italy, Sarajevo, Singapore and Vancouver.
The city has undergone an extended facelift in the past ten years, with the city ground almost to a standstill for four years at the turn of the millenium while the sewage system was upgraded. During this time the city was revamped in preparation for its designation as the European City of Culture in 2005. Since then, the city has continued to prosper with the semi pedestrianisation of Patrick Street (or Pana as it is locally referred to). This spawned the rejuvenation of many side streets and buildings, most recently the first Dunnes Stores which has been kitted out to 21st century standards, while retaining its orginal facade. International chainstores have also joined the ranks in recent weeks, including H&M and GAP with Next, Topshop and others to follow shortly.
Recommended Sights and Attractions
Blackrock Castle Observatory 16th century castle located about 2km from the heart of Cork city on the banks of the river Lee. Host to many astronomical events such as First Quarter Moon observations, lectures and various exhibitions. Bar and Trattoria on site which are open daily.
Cork City Gaol Step back in time to see what 19th / early 20th Century life was like in Cork – inside and outside the prison walls. Amazingly lifelike wax figures, furnished cells, sound effects and fascinating exhibitions.ions.
National Radio Museum Housed in the same building as Cork City Gaol, the Museum. Learn the story of Guglielmo Marconi’s conquest of the airwaves, the early days of Irish & international radio broadcasting and its impact on our lives.
Cork Butter Museum, Shandon Details the internationally important Butter Exchange in nineteenth century Cork, the traditional craft of home butter making and the modern success of the Kerrygold brand. In the course of this story, the commercial, social, and domestic life of Ireland is recalled.
Crawford Municipal Art Gallery The Gallery’s permanent collection comprises over 2000 works, ranging from eighteenth century Irish and European painting and sculpture, through to contemporary video installations. At the heart of the collection is a collection of Greek and Roman sculpture casts, brought to Cork in 1818 from the Vatican Museum in Rome. The collection is particularly strong in Irish art of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.