Page 130 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

128  BRIT AIN AND IRELAND

Southwest Ireland combined with the Georgian
architecture of the old Quays,
Magnificent scenery has attracted visitors to this region since give Cork a continental feel. In
Victorian times. Killarney and its romantic lakes are a powerful the 18th century, many of
magnet for tourists, as is the attractive coastline of Cork and today’s streets were waterways
Kerry, where rocky headlands jut out into the Atlantic and lined with warehouses and
merchants’ residences.
colorful fishing villages nestle in the bays. Yet much of the Noted for its chic bars, ethnic
southwest remains unspoiled, with a friendly atmosphere restaurants, bookstores, and
and authentic culture still alive in Irish-speaking pockets. boutiques, Paul Street is the hub
of the liveliest district in town.
Church, and it flourished as a The nearby Crawford Art Gallery
religious center until a siege by has some fine Irish works of art.
a Cromwellian army in 1647 A prominent landmark is the
ended in the massacre of its steeple of St. Anne Shandon on
3,000 occupants. a hill in the north of the city. It is
A good proportion of the topped by a weather vane in
medieval complex still stands, the shape of a salmon. Visitors
though the main building, the can climb up and ring the bells.
Gothic cathedral, is roofless.
The earlier Cormac’s Chapel is E Crawford Art Gallery
an outstanding example of Emmet Place. Tel 0214-805 042.
Romanesque architecture. Open 10am–5pm Mon–Sat (to 8pm
The Rock of Cashel Other prominent features of Thu). Closed public hols, Jan 1,
Dec 25 & 26. 0 - = 7
7 Cashel the Rock are a restored round ∑ crawfordartgallery.ie
tower and the weatherbeaten
Co. Tipperary. * 11,400. @ St. Patrick’s Cross. The carved
n Heritage Centre, Main St figure on the east face of the
(062- 62511). Rock: Tel 062-61437. cross is said to be St. Patrick.
Open daily. Closed Dec 24–26.
& 8 7 limited. ∑ cashel.ie
8 Cork
The town’s great attraction is Co. Cork. * 123,000. £ @
the magnificent medieval Rock n Tourist House, Grand Parade
of Cashel. Many people stay (0214-255 100). _ Jazz Festival (Oct);
overnight to enjoy eerie floodlit Film Festival (Nov).
views of the rocky stronghold
rising dramatically out of the Cork city derives its name from
Tipperary plain. The Rock was the marshy banks of the Lee
a symbol of royal and River – its Irish name, Corcaigh,
ecclesiastical power for more means marsh – where St. Finbarr The battlemented keep and other ruined
than a thousand years. From the founded a monastery around towers of Blarney Castle
5th century AD, it was the seat AD 650. The center of Cork today
of the Kings of Munster, rulers occupies an island between two Environs
of southwest Ireland. In 1101, arms of the river. Its waterways, Beautiful countryside surrounds
they handed Cashel over to the bridges, and narrow alleys, Cork, especially along the valley
of the Lee River. Outings include
a tour of the whiskey distilery
at the Jameson Experience,
Midleton, and a trip to Blarney
Castle, where a legendary stone
bestows magical eloquence on
all who kiss it. Walking and
fishing are also popular.
E Jameson Experience, Midleton
Midleton, Co. Cork. Tel 0214-613 594.
Open daily. Closed Jan 1, Good Fri,
Dec 24–27. & 8 = - 7
∑ jamesonwhiskey.com
+ Blarney Castle
Blarney, Co. Cork. Tel 0214-385252.
Open daily. Closed Dec 24 & 25. =
South channel of the Lee River flowing through the city of Cork 7 grounds only. ∑ blarneycastle.ie
For hotels and restaurants see p138 and p139

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