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Crosshaven: Where Viking Heritage Meets World-Class Sailing in Cork’s Maritime Jewel
Crosshaven’s extraordinary journey from 9th-century Viking settlement to home of the world’s oldest yacht club reveals a village shaped by over 1,000 years of continuous maritime heritage, where Georgian mansions and coastal fortifications frame Ireland’s premier sailing destination. From Viking Longships to Racing Yachts The story of Crosshaven begins with Viking settlers who established what…
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Five Scenic Sunday Drives Around Cork Perfect for Escaping the Crowds
Cork’s diverse landscape offers some of Ireland’s most spectacular driving routes, from rugged coastal roads to peaceful river valleys. Whether you’re after Atlantic drama or pastoral tranquillity, these five routes promise memorable Sunday drives without the frustration of bumper-to-bumper traffic. 1. The Sheep’s Head Peninsula Loop Starting from Bantry, this 88-kilometre circuit remains one of…
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Leeside Lanes: From Walking Nuns to Suburban Streets – The Hidden History of Nuns Walk
A quiet residential street in Ballyphehane reveals centuries of Cork’s transformation, from medieval religious paths to modern housing estates Tucked away in Cork’s southern suburbs, Nuns Walk appears unremarkable at first glance: a short residential street of mid-20th century homes connecting Pouladuff Road to the wider Ballyphehane neighbourhood. Yet this modest cul-de-sac carries within its…
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Historic Trinity: How Mardyke Walk, Fitzgeralds Park and the Shakey Bridge Became Cork’s Beloved Riverside Heart
Three centuries of transformation have woven together an 18th-century promenade, a world’s fair legacy, and an iconic wobbling bridge into Cork’s most cherished recreational corridor along the River Lee. The story of Cork’s western riverbank reads like a masterclass in urban evolution. What began as marshy wasteland in 1719 has become an interconnected landscape where…
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Cork’s Historic Gateways: The Dark Secrets of South Gate Bridge and the Maritime Legacy of French’s Quay
Two of Cork’s most historic locations share centuries of intertwined stories, from medieval executions to Viking settlements, while modern businesses keep their heritage alive South Gate Bridge and French’s Quay stand as living monuments to Cork’s evolution from medieval fortress to modern city. These neighbouring landmarks, separated by mere metres, have witnessed over 800 years…
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Holiday Travel Money Safety: Essential Tips for Cork Travellers
As the holiday season is in full swing, thousands of Cork residents are preparing for trips abroad. Whilst most holidays pass without incident, taking simple precautions with money and finances can prevent a dream getaway from becoming a costly nightmare. Prepare Before You Go Contact your bank or credit card provider before travelling to inform…
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The Coal Quay: Where Cork’s Market Heart Beats for Centuries
Cornmarket Street’s dual identity as the beloved Coal Quay reveals how a single Cork thoroughfare can embody centuries of trade, tradition, and the rebellious spirit that refuses to let official names override local heritage. Walk down Cornmarket Street in Cork city centre today and you’ll likely hear locals call it by another name entirely: the…
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Twin Quays Tell Three Centuries of Cork History Along the Lee
Leeside Lanes: Episode 5 From 18th-century merchant princes to modern-day cafés and craft beer, Farrens Quay and Popes Quay showcase Cork’s evolution while maintaining their riverside charm and community spirit. Walking along Cork’s north bank where Farrens Quay flows into Popes Quay, visitors encounter living history at every step. These adjacent waterfront streets, stretching from…
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Princes Street: From Georgian Lanes to Ireland’s First Pedestrian Paradise
Where the aroma of freshly baked bread mingles with the chatter of al fresco diners, Princes Street stands as Cork’s pioneering pedestrian thoroughfare and gateway to culinary tradition. This compact street, stretching from St Patrick’s Street to the South Mall, has evolved from marshy channels into a vibrant social hub that perfectly captures Cork’s ability…
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Leeside Lanes: Kyrl’s Quay – Where Cork’s Lost Medieval Walls Emerged from the Shadows
Beneath a city car park lies Cork’s most complete medieval defensive system, revealing 800 years of maritime commerce from Viking traders to timber merchants Walking past the entrance to Kyrl’s Quay Multi-Storey Car Park, few realise they’re crossing over Cork’s most significant medieval archaeological site. Here, just metres beneath the concrete ramp, lies a 60-metre…