Center Of Cork City example essay topic

Philips-Universit " at Marburg Fach bereich 10: Fremdsprachliche PhilologienInstitut f"ur Anglistik und AmerikanistikPS: The Landscape of IrelandLeitung: Madeleine KinsellaHausarbeit von Mathias Weber County Cork County Cork The aim of this term paper is to give an overview of the county Cork, beginning with its geographical location then present some historical events that are relevant to the history of Cork and finally show the places of interest, both of the county Cork and of the city itself. The population amounts to 400,000 inhabitants according to the CSO and the principal city, Cork city, covers an area of 378 hectares with about 120,000 inhabitants. County Cork also includes 640 km of coastline with many beaches, steep cliffs, making the importance of the sea play an even greater importance since Cork has one the principal harbor of Ireland. It connects Ireland to France (Rosco ff, Le Havre) and the United Kingdom (Swansea).

Until the sixties it used to be the starting point of many steamers for America and also the departure point of three million Irishmen who emigrated to the 'new world'; in the 19th. This port has in fact contributed a lot to the economic and commercial development of Cork and the whole of Ireland. The climate is also largely influenced by the ocean: soft, wet and windy thus allowing a great variety in flora and fauna. Cork derives from the Irish 'Cor cah Mor Mumham' and means the 'great Marsh of Munster' and refers to the fact that the center of Cork city is built on islands, surrounded by the River Lee, which were marshy and prone to episodes of flooding.

Some of the waterways between the islands were built over to form some of the main streets of present day Cork. The oblong shape of the city center island, bounded by the north and south channel of the Lee give Cork much of its physical charm. Spencer even immortalized the unusual topography of the city when he wrote: 'The spreading Lee that like an island fay re enclose th Cork with his divided flood'; Even tough a few prehistoric artifacts have been found, the monastery of Cork represents one of the earliest evidence of human settlement in this region. As said earlier the sea played an important role in the history of Cork as the first foreign known settlers came using maritime means: the Vikings frequently raided isolated monasteries. An attack by the Vikings is reported to have taken place around Cork in 802; they raided the abbey and the settlement nearby. The Vikings and the monastic community eventually coexisted peacefully but this period of tranquility was disturbed in 914 A. D by massive raids on Cork and Munster from Scandinavia.

By the 12th, the descendant of the Vikings had mixed with the native settlers. These people are known as the East men or Ostmen. Cork was starting to become an important city and was under the rule of the Mac Carthy King of Desmond. He established Cork as his capital and built some fortification around the city. But the rule of the Ostmen came to an end in 1169, the year when Normans landed at Ban now Bay in Wexford and began the Norman conquest of Ireland. A few years later, in 1182, the Normans extended the fortification.

The wall was then extended over time and the mediaeval city became one of the greatest fortified towns of Ireland. During the 13th and 14th, the city prospered thanks to the trades and crafts that flourished in Cork. This prosperous state encountered a few setbacks such as the Black Death, the need to defend the city against the native population living outside the city and by a devastating fire in 1354. In the middle of the 14th, the plague decimated the population of Europe. It is estimated that 35 per cent of the population of Cork city died. The Black Death had a devastated effect on the social and economic life of the city.

In the 15th, Cork was ruled by an oligarchy of wealthy merchant families who did not do much in improving the fortunes of Cork. The next century was marked by the Desmond rebellion, the impact of the reformation and the Elizabethan wars. Religion became an important issue as the unity of the European Christendom was sundered by the Reformation, which was sparked by the 95 theses of Martin Luther in 1517 condemning corruption and practices that did not seem to have a biblical foundation. The 17th saw important events taking place in the history of Cork and Ireland: the battle of Kinsale in 1601 and the flight of the Earls in 1607. This battle of was a turning point in the Irish history: O'Neil joined Hugh O'Donnell; Earl of Tyrconnell in armed resistance to England. O'Neil was a skilled leader, won early victories over superior English forces ant the battle of Yellow Ford near Monaghan in 1598, recorded Spanish reinforcements in 1601 and marched with his army south to confront the enemy at Kinsale in Cork but was defeated.

Spanish forces also surrendered. So when the Earls of Tyrone and Tyrconnell fled in 1607, it marked the end of Gaelic Ireland as a distinct political system. It eventually paved the way to English rule over the whole of Ireland. Despite political turmoil, the economy of Cork began to improve in the first half of the century; the population is believed to have trebled from approximately 300 in 1600 to 900 in 1640, the town also expanded.

The English government encouraged trade and development of agriculture and Cork became a major center for the export of goods (exports of hides, pipe staves, rugs and tallow) and imports of wine, salt and other commodities. Trade with other ports, like Bristol or Bordeaux and even with the West Indies, was increasing. The economic prosperity of the city began to recover in the second half of the 17th mainly through the provision trade: salted beef, pork and butter were exported to the wets Indies. The ability of Cork harbors to shelter large fleets was a major factor in the expansion of the provision trade in the Cork. Cork butter market, the woolen and cotton industries also flourished during this period. The physical development mirrored the economic development of Cork.

But the close link of Cork's economic prosperity to the war economy and the export of salted goods proved to be weaknesses in the period of peace following the Napoleonic war and later by the development of refrigeration. Meanwhile the influx of migrants to the city did not decrease which exacerbated the already difficult situation when an outbreak of cholera was reported in the 1832, But a few years later: between 1845-1850, Ireland suffered one of the greatest catastrophes in its history: 'The Great Famine'. The famine has been caused by a potato blight that resulted in a widespread potato crop failure for several years. Many people also fled because of poverty and lack of opportunity.

Between 1845 and 1851 about 1,500, 00 people emigrated from Ireland (over 6 million people left Ireland between 1845 and 1950) and 2.5 million departed from Cobh making it the most important port of emigration. Annie Moore is a famous figure in the history of Irish Emigration, she and her brothers were the first emigrants ever to have been processed in Ellis Island when it opened on the 1st January 1892. TO commemorate her memory, a bronze statue of her and her brothers can be found outside of the Cobh Heritage Center and a similar one on Ellis Island. The Titanic and the Lusitania are also two famous names related to Queenstown story. In 1912, the Titanic had set out from Southampton and went to Cherbourg then arrived in Queenstown where 123 passengers went on board of the Titanic before leaving for her final journey. Three years later the liner Lusitania was en route from New York to Liverpool and was about 16 km off the Old Head of Kinsale when a German submarine sank her.

Rescue boats managed to save 761 passengers (out of 1950 people) and were then ferried to Queenstown. Cork was affected by international as well as national events as it entered the 20th. In 1901, the Lord Mayor of Cork, Edward Fitzgerald planned on hosting an International Exhibition. It opened on the 1st May 1902 and lasted till 31st October 1903. It was a great success and people came from around the world to admire industrial and agricultural wares. In the following years, Ireland struggled to achieve Home Rule and when World War I broke out, there were two different attitudes towards the war.

Redmond, William O'Brian and other nationalist leaders were in favor of the war contrary to the more radical wing of the nationalist movement. It led to a split in the Irish Volunteer Movement in Cork as well as in the rest of the country. Many Corkmen actually volunteered for the army and over two thousand Corkmen died during the First World War. During the 1916 not actual violence occurred in Cork city thanks to Bishop Daniel Cobh an and Lord Mayor Tomas C. Butterfield. The treatment of the leaders of the 1916 rising, the attempt to introduce conscription in Ireland the fear that Britain would renege on the promise of Home Rule and the withdrawal of the Irish Parliamentary Party from Westminster were factors that led to the victory of Sein F'ein in the general election of 1918. There then were mounting tensions between nationalists and unionists, which paved the way to the war of independence during which Cork was one of the major centers of the conflict.

The burning of Cork among other events is probably the most remembered episode. On the night of 11th December 1920, British forces set fire to several blocks of building along the east and south side of St Patrick's street. Because of that fire, the stock of the Carnegie Library and of the records in the City Hall were also burnt and was considered to be a big loss for future historians. The British denied any responsibility despite the testimony of eyewitnesses.

The economic and social life of Cork was marked by the founding of the Cork Town Planning Association in 1922 that dealt the dreadful housing conditions in some areas of Cork City, namely Middle Parish and the areas around Barrack Street, Shandon Street. Ireland endured decades of economic stagnation, its economy was protected by tariff barriers and had to rely on its home market. The standard of living was poor by European standards and emigration was still high until the 50's Many Corkmen, dubbed ' the Dagenham Yank ', worked in factories in Dagenham. Ford, Dunlop, Sunbeam Wolsey, Irish Steel and Vero lme Cork Dockyard were among the most important employers in Cork and many smaller enterprises started to emerge in the textile, agricultural processing, chemical and printing industries.

Ireland then had to abandon protectionism as it was preparing to join the EEC. This resulted in a period of decline in the 70's and the 80's since the Irish economy was unable to face foreign enterprises (because they had easier access to the Irish market). The closures of Ford and Dunlop did not improve the economic situation in the Cork region. But in the late 80's, the era of the so-called 'Celtic Tiger'; , the Irish economy as well as that of Cork underwent drastic changes: unemployment rates fell dramatically and new hi-tech industries were being set up in the city and in its surrounding areas. The communication and transport infrastructures improved a lot, just like the standard of living. And today one can say that the 21st century is beginning very auspiciously for Cork as it has been chosen to be European capital of culture of 2005.

The cultural life of county Cork is so rich and diverse that it would take visitors months to be able to see every place of interest. So here are but a few places that people should not miss when visiting Cork! Blarney Castle is famous for its stone, which is believed to bestow the power of eloquence on all those who kiss it. One has to hang backwards over a steep drop on the very top of the castle in order to kiss it for the stone is set in the wall below the battlements. Actually 'blarney'; was introduced into the English language by Elizabeth I and means 'pleasant talk, intending to deceive without offending The Jameson Heritage Center will make visitors travel back through time and make us discover the history and unique taste of the Irish whiskey named Uis ce Bertha (the Water of Life) Kinsale is a popular and nice resort of the south west coast of Ireland.

This town is known for Charles Fort Kinsale, which overlooks the harbor of Kinsale. It is a star-shaped fort with five bastions and was constructed in the late 17th century. The battle of Kinsale, fought in 1601, represented a watershed in Irish history and in 1915, the Lusitania sunk off the Old Head of Kinsale. After having been to Kinsale, you might as well want to go to Cobh or Queenstown as it used to be called until 1922. This town is famous for having been linked to the Irish history of immigration: it used to be the most important port for Irish emigrants and for transatlantic liners such as the Titanic. Within Cork city, any Corkmen would tell you, for instance, to climb Shandon or more precisely the bell tower of St Anns Shandon.

Once we get on top of it, we can play the carillon of bells hanging there and commemorate Fathers P routs famous lines: 'On this I ponder whereer I wander, And thus grow fonder, Sweet Cork of thee; With thy bells of Shandon, That sounds so grand on the pleasant Waters of the river Lee. ' ; And if somebody tells us to go to jail, no need to worry, that person was just recommending us a thrilling visit of the Old City Goal, which was founded in 1840 and is preserved exactly the way some unfortunate people knew it some hundred years ago. Itchy feet might make us hungry and thirsty and make us want to have a culinary tour. For instance one can take a walk in a typical Victorian indoor market known as the English market (because in the previous century only English settlers were allowed to trade there) where people are able to find goods from all around the world. But this market is also famous for Cork's unique tripe and black and white pudding. Then what about having a pint (or two... ) because Cork has two fine breweries: Beamish and Murphy.

And when you go to a pub, by the time you leave, you should be able to sniff or at least taste the difference between these two rival stouts. Once you have quenched your thirst you could check the Butter Museum and enjoy reliving the way butter was made. (In fact the butter trade was quite important here since the 18th because Cork prospered thanks to the butter trade.) Of course while visiting Cork city, you cannot miss the cathedrals of St Mary and St Fin Barres, the latter is actually partly built on the site of the early monastic foundation. The people who fancy art galleries will have quite of a busy day! (For Cork is full of them!) They can start with the Crawford Municipal Gallery: it is traditionally the starting point for the Cork city art trail and it is also the biggest and the most important gallery of art outside Dublin. Then move on to University College Cork, which in itself is a nice building, is a nice building to see and also because it hosts the finest collection of ancient enigmatic ogham stones.

These stones are to be found in what is familiarly called 'the Stone Corridors'; . And outside UCC is the recently opened (since 2004) Lewis Glucksman Gallery, this place will host several exhibitions during 2005. The national Sculpture Factory is known to be the only organization of that kind round the globe. It provides exhibitions, lectures but also workshops for sculptors. The Cork Vision Centre has the particularity to feature a 1: 500 000 scale model of Cork city and shows how Cork city has grown over the years. The Triskels Arts Centre, created in 1979, is a multi-disciplinary center and consists of two galleries, a hundred-seat auditorium and education workshops.

Museum and sightseeing are not the only things worth doing in Cork since this city has a long tradition of organizing different kinds of festivals such as the Cork International Choral festival which is held every year since 1945. There is also the Cork International Film festival, the Cork Folk festival, the Guinness Jazz festival and last but not least the Midsummer Arts Festival that takes place in June. Once you have been to every museum or pub, there still is the possibility to go on excursions around Cork and enjoy the richness and beauty of the Irish landscape or simply have a walk in one of many parks of Cork. What about the Bear a Way which is a 200 km walking route with lots of historical and archeological sites, or Fota Wildlife Park. This park is one of the most modern wildlife parks in Europe and it is not unusual to be approached by animals since most of them can roam freely in the park.

Then, an other park of the kind is called Doneraile Wildlife park and measures a 160 hectares: an English architect, Lancelot, back in the 18th, has achieved all the work. The result is stunning for while walking through the park people owe the beauty of the park to the work of nature even though a man made it. One cannot miss to mention other national parks like Mill street Country Park (over 500 acres) or Fota Arboretum where there are trees and shrubs from all over the world. Bishop Lucky Park is a memorial park opened in 1985 in honor of the city's 800th anniversary. It includes height bronze swans which stand for the 800 years history of the city as a chartered Norman town.

A nice charming walk would be in Bog Garden where you pass from one island to the next while admiring the flora of a typical Irish bog. And let's not forget that Cork has about 640 km of coastline so it is worth taking along the numerous beaches, coasts, go bird watching in Cape Island or admire the magnificent view at Mize n Head which represents the most south-westerly tip of Ireland and walk on the famous Suspension Bridge.