| Cork is built on the mouth of the river Lee where it flows into a large estuary. It has an excellent natural harbour,
the second largest natural harbour in the world. |
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| A monastic settlement in the 6th century, reputedly founded by St Finbarr |
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| A Viking town in the 10th century |
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| A centre of Norman and British rule of Cork county and surrounds |
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| A trading town in the era of colonisation |
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| Was known at this time as the "Venice of the north" for the many river channels. Most of these have been built over and are now streets. |
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| In the 18th and 19th centuries a major naval and military base, with
significant provisioning industries. |
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| The Ford motor companies first factory outside the US was founded in Cork in 1917, Henry Ford having emigrated from Cork. |
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| Cork harbour is the second largest natural harbour in the world, and the deepwater berths
at Ringaskiddy are able to accomodate the largest vessels. |
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| The second largest city in the Republic of Ireland after Dublin, and third largest city on the whole island after Belfast. |
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