Cork: The Colourful Charmer

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 230
Comment this article

With many of us conscious of our carbon footprint and our ethical obligations as travelers, far-reaching international travel has become less and less popular in recent years. Whilst this is not to say that people are now longer holidaying abroad in the Caribbean or Far East, it is more to note that the number of Brits opting for a ''staycation'' or local holiday is on the rise.

Indeed, research shows that nearly 35% of Britons are opting to holiday in or around the UK this year. And with so much on offer, it is a small wonder that people don''t explore more often. One country which is perennially popular with foreign tourists, but often overlooked by Brits, is Ireland. Ireland has arguably got more culture, landscape and bonhomie than any British destination we might choose for a ''staycation''. And it is high time we paid it more attention.

Yet Ireland has arguably got more culture, landscape and bonhomie than any British destination we might choose for a ''staycation''. You can easily hop on the Fishguard to Cork ferry and find yourself in the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland. And what a colourful ...
... and charming city it is.

Cork is real Irish, and its history of resistance to English rule has lent it the nickname of ''the Rebel County'', deriving from an uprising during the War of the Roses in which citizens supported a plot to overthrow Henry VII, then King of England. To this day its citizens are proud ''Rebels'', the ''real Ireland'' ? and it is easy to see why.

Like much of Ireland, Cork is a great exponent of local culture, with one of the most active literary and artist populations in the Republic. It is home to a prominent music college, as well as Crawford College of Art, and its theatre is regularly supplied with fresh talent and insight from both University College Cork and local theatre companies including Corcadorca.

All this is as you would expect from a city named European Capital of Culture twice ? in both 2005 and 2009. In between its colourful houses dotted along the waterfront, Cork is brimming with artistic talent and pride. Alongside a new opera house, there is also a film festival, Cork Film Festival, with a wealth of short film talent.

But perhaps music, literature and good pint of stout is what makes Cork so attractive, and so easy to return to. The Triskel Arts Centre is a great supporter of literary exploits in the city, and there are several smaller poetry festivals and conferences throughout the year. Never mind the rain ? when the craic is this good, you won''t want to be anywhere else! Bonny Kominek wrote this short article after returning from an Irish holiday, and would recommend using booking agents such as octopustravel.com when searching for Cork hotels.