Cork - Designated European City of Culture 2005
Cork city, the second city of the Irish Republic has a population of 140,000. From the Irish word Corcaigh - meaning marsh, the City Centre is built on an island in the River Lee just upstream of Cork Harbour. Founded by St. Finbarr in A.D.650 Cork is known today as the Rebel County.
In 1172 Cork was taken by King Henry II of England, and in 1649, during the English civil war, it fell to Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England during the Commonwealth. The town changed hands once more in 1689 when it was captured by John Churchill, 1st duke of Marlborough, for the English crown.
An important commercial centre in the eighteenth century, the city was soon hit by hard times - the Famine struck Ireland and Cork's disillusioned population was drastically reduced.
In 1920 parts of Cork were burned down by British forces after Irish nationalists raided a British military convoy.
Michael Collins a man widely regarded as the most charismatic political leader in the history of twentieth century Ireland was born in Clonakilty, County Cork. After joining the civil service, he moved to London in 1906 and worked there in the post office and in a stockbrokers firm and at the Board of Trade. Quickly developing a keen interest in Irish politics among exiled nationalists, he joined the Gaelic League and the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). He became convinced that independence could only be achieved by force. Aware that a rising was being planned, he returned to Ireland and served as aide to Joseph Plunkett in the GPO during Easter week.
After suffering defeat to numerically superior British Forces he was imprisoned at Frongoch, North Wales until Christmas 1916. Immediately he set about the rebuilding of the IRB.
During the Anglo-Irish war Collins played a vital part in co-ordinating the IRA`s military campaign. His undercover network especially in Dublin was renowned; his ‘flying squad’ eliminated the British government’s intelligence sources in the city. During this time, he carried a price of £10,000 on his head, however due to the unavailability of good intelligence information, Collins was able to travel about Dublin City on a bicycle, in view of the British Security Forces. He operated out of a number of offices in the city, moving only when capture became imminent. During the War of Independence, Collins rarely slept in his own bed, but lodged with friends in safe houses scattered throughout Dublin. At one time he had over thirty hideouts in the city.
The conflict resulted in a concession from the British government. Together with Arthur Griffith, he dominated the Irish representatives and extracted most of the concessions secured from Lloyd George. Revealing his instinctive pragmatism, he regarded the settlement as a ‘first step’ towards obtaining a 32 county republic and played a vital part in gaining Dail ratification of it. In January 1922, he was appointed Chairman and Minister of Finance of the provisional government which was responsible for the establishment of the Irish Free State (Today’s 26 county Irish Republic). Over the following months he played a decisive role in devising a constitution, creating security forces and appointing a civil service.
The Treaty led to a bloody Civil War that divided communities, even families, through the length and breadth of Ireland, many convinced that a 32 county united Ireland was the only way forward. As Collins had rightly predicted, the treaty lead to his death and on 22nd August 1922 he was shot dead whilst on an inspection tour of Munster and searching for a basis for peace.
There has been much speculation regarding what Ireland would have been like had he lived. This emphasises his view of the Treaty as a stepping-stone towards a united 32 county Ireland, his progressive social views and his potential to reunite a divided republican movement. Undoubtedly the pro-Treaty side lost its most inspiring leader.
A newfound vibrancy abounds within Cork city today, thanks to the eclectic selection of bars, shops and restaurants that have opened up. West Cork contains a vast territory which is relatively undiscovered, and completely unspoilt. Its villages and resorts are mostly unsophisticated, but lively and friendly in their own special fashion, and very welcoming to strangers who come to join in the fun. Many fine buildings and churches are dotted around the city and the steep lanes that rise from the north and south of the central island offer great views of the city.
