Travel Guide Cork

Ireland's second-largest city after Dublin, Cork (population 210,000) is home to many historic monuments, art galleries, museums, theaters and countless typical pubs. Benefiting from the current advantages of the European Union, many European students choose Cork as their place of study, and many French students are to be found here. Like Ireland as a whole, the city has experienced a dazzling economic boom, thanks in particular to the importance of its port nestled in a huge bay, and the establishment of leading companies. This prosperity (sadly slowed by the 2008 recession) has not dimmed the beauty of the landscape or the friendliness of the locals. Affectionately dubbed "the real capital of Ireland" by its inhabitants, Cork is proud of its tradition of resistance to English control. Indeed, it was here that the 1492 rebellion against the King of England took place, and ever since, the city has been known as "Rebel Cork" - the local sports teams are nicknamed "The Rebel". Compressed between the 2 arms of the River Lee, the center is highly concentrated, making it easy to find your way around. In fact, that's what makes this city so pleasant: it's easy to identify the key points. St Patrick Street is the backbone of this bustling city center, with its many stores, bus stops serving the outlying areas and alleyways linking it to Oliver Plunkett Street, the nightlife street. The city center is easy to navigate, starting from Grand Parade, another major shopping thoroughfare. Cork also offers a stroll along its quays, where contrasts abound: large shopping centers or small second-hand shops, elegant houses or disused buildings, neo-Gothic churches or tired old pubs. The general optimism of this city with its very young population makes it an ideal pied-à-terre for an extended stay. On your return from a hike in one of the surrounding villages, you can count on a lively local nightlife.