Cork (county)

I

Introduction

Cork (county), county in the south of the province of Munster, Republic of Ireland, bounded by Limerick to the north, Tipperary and Waterford to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and Kerry to the west. Ireland’s largest county, Cork has a land area of 7,460 sq km (2,880 sq mi) and is mainly agricultural. The coastline is dotted with bays and inlets that form safe anchorages. To the west and north are mountains.

II

Land and Resources

To the east and along the coast is a rich fertile area. Here the farms are much larger than those in the less fertile west. The drier soils suit mixed farming; barley for both feed and malting is grown, as well as sugar beet, potatoes, and wheat; beef cattle are raised. The land in the south-west is mountainous and boggy; the farms there are smaller, raising cattle, dairy farming, and pig farming. Coal, copper, manganese, barytes (used in the manufacture of white paint), sandstone, and limestone are all found in the county. The principal rivers are: the Blackwater, Lee, and Bandon. Oil and natural gas exploration takes place off shore. A natural gas pipeline brings gas ashore at Kinsale and on to Dublin.

Cork has a mild climate. The average temperature in January is 7° C (45° F) and in July 16° C (61° F). The average annual rainfall is 2,000 mm (78 in) on the mountains, and 1,000 mm (39 in) or more on lower ground.

III

Population and Administration

Cork has an estimated population of 410,369 (1991). Roman Catholics make up 94 per cent of the population; there is an annual pilgrimage each year to Gougane Barra, traditionally associated with St Finbarr. Protestants are numerous in south-west Cork. Fourteen of the offshore islands are inhabited; their total population has dropped by 11 per cent since 1986. Though most people speak English (the official second language) few people speak Irish except in the Gaeltacht areas; in 1991 there were 3,578, mainly living in the west of the county, near the border with Kerry.

The city of Cork is both the seat of local and county administration. There are town councils (formerly urban district councils) at Cobh, Clonakilty, Fermoy, Kinsale, Macroom, Mallow, Midleton, Passage West, Skibbereen, and Youghal.

IV

Education and Culture

The city of Cork is the centre of southern Ireland's intellectual life with many cultural institutions including the Cork Literary and Scientific Society, founded in 1820, and University College, Cork (1845), part of the National University of Ireland. Cork Institute of Technology is one of the largest centres of technological education in Ireland, incorporating the Cork School of Music and the Crawford College of Art and Design.

Cork International Jazz Festival (established 1977) is held each October. Annual international arts, film and choral festivals are also held. Cobh is the location of an annual celebration of Ireland’s maritime heritage.

Sir Walter Raleigh had connections with the area; he was one of the original “planters” in Cork and later became mayor of Youghal. It is said that he was the first to grow potatoes in Ireland. A number of prominent historical and political figures, including Michael Collins, Jack Lynch, and John Curran, were born in the county. Cork is also the birthplace of footballer Roy Keane, athlete Sonia O’Sullivan, and composer Seán Ó Riada.