History & Heritage
Cork was originally a monastic settlement founded on the banks of the River Lee by St. Fin Barre in the sixth or seventh century.
Like many riverside settlements in Ireland, Cork was invaded by the Vikings in the ninth and tenth centuries. And in 942 AD a great fleet from Scandinavia wreaked havoc across Munster, and St Fin Barre’s settlement in Cork was raided and destroyed.
Thus began Cork’s long history of resistance, destruction and renewal which seemed to characterise the city and county right up to the War of Independence in the early 1920s – earning it the nickname, The Rebel County.
Cork’s troubled past has given it a rich and varied heritage – in its buildings, natural environment, culture and traditions – which is being carefully guarded for posterity. A visit to the many museums throughout the city and county will help to give a flavour of the uniqueness of Cork, its literature, art, language, local customs, traditional food and everything that sets it apart from every other place.