European Regional Capital

County Cork is the largest county in Ireland and lies in the southerly province of Munster. Cork city, Ireland's second largest city and gateway to the southern region of Ireland, is the largest city in Munster.

But these geographical reference points tell us little about the character of the city. To find its true identity we must look to its strategic position and its history.

Cork is a city built on a series of islands, straddling a river that flows into the finest harbour created by nature in all of Europe. So it's no surprise that the people of Cork have always been seafarers.

Cork's merchants had developed a brisk trade with the ports of Europe by the 1800s. Their legacy is a sense of belonging to a greater community. So, rather than depending on Dublin for their lead, Corkonians look to Europe and relish the role of the Regional Capital.

Upon entry into the EU in 1973, Ireland's major cities prepared to trade with their European neighbours - in many cases for the first time. But for the City of Cork, this was a time to renew old links and formalise existing relationships.