The cultural capital of Ireland, Cork offers a wide range of activities and events. Whether visiting museums such as Cork City Gaol, the former Cork Prison open to the public or the Crawford Art Gallery, a place dedicated to the visual arts. At several times of the year, the city hosts a range of festivals: the Cork Folk festival, the Cork Mindsummer festival or the Cork Film festival. On the architectural side, there are all kinds of buildings, including the Red Abbey dating from the Middle Ages, the famous St Anne Shandon Church of the 18th century, Georgian-style buildings or very modern monuments such as the Country Hall tower. Strolling through St Patrick's Street, you'll find the statue of Father Mathew, a character known for recommending not to drink alcohol.
Where does the name Cork come from? The name Cork comes from the Irish corcach meaning swamp, in reference to the River Lee that runs through the city.
What are the biggest festivals in Cork? Cork's biggest festivals are the Cork Film Festival, the Cork Jazz Festival or the Cork Choral Festival.
