County Cork, County in Munster, Ireland
County Cork is an administrative division in the province of Munster in southern Ireland, stretching from the Atlantic shore to rolling hills and river valleys inland. Three major rivers run through it, while bays, peninsulas and small fishing harbors line the coast.
The region earned its nickname The Rebel County in 1491 when locals backed Perkin Warbeck's challenge against King Henry VII. This defiant spirit remained part of its identity over the centuries that followed.
The name derives from the Irish word Corcaigh, meaning marshland, which describes what the area once looked like. In the Gaeltacht zones you can still hear everyday conversations in Irish, and elsewhere musicians often gather in pubs to play traditional tunes together.
Several market towns such as Mallow, Macroom, Midleton and Skibbereen are scattered throughout and serve as starting points for exploring the surrounding countryside. Coastal roads tend to wind through small villages, while inland routes are broader and more direct.
The Golden Vale pasturelands stretch from Kanturk to Allihies through the landscape, forming rich grassland that shapes the local dairy farming. Mild weather and regular rain keep the fields green all year and create ideal conditions for grazing livestock.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
