Cork ? a boat ride away?.

With many of us conscious of our carbon footprint and our ethical obligations as travelers, far-reaching international travel has become less and less popular in recent years. Whilst this is not to say that people are now longer holidaying abroad in the Caribbean or Far East, it is more to note that the number of Brits opting for a ''staycation'' or local holiday is on the rise.

Research shows that nearly 35% of Britons are opting to holiday in or around the UK this year. And with so much on offer in the British Isles and beyond, it is a small wonder that people don''t explore more often. One country which is perennially popular with foreign tourists, but often overlooked by Brits, is Ireland. Barely a few hours away by ferry, the Emerald Isle seems to have been forgotten in England, Wales and Scotland.

Yet Ireland has arguably got more culture, landscape and bonhomie than any British destination we might choose for a ''staycation''. You can easily hop on the Fishguard to Cork ferry and find yourself in the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland. And what a colourful and charming city it is.

Cork has a history of resistance to English rule which has lent it the nickname of ''the Rebel County'', deriving from an uprising during the War of the Roses in which citizens supported a plot to overthrow Henry VII, then King of England. And even to this day its citizens are proud ''Rebels'', the ''real Ireland'' ? not only in remaining defiance of the English, but of the capital Dublin as well.

One of its biggest attractions is that Cork is a great exponent of local culture, with one of the most active literary and artist populations in Ireland. It is home to a prominent music college ? and a fantastic jazz festival - as well as Crawford College of Art. On top of this, its theatre is regularly supplied with fresh talent and insight from both University College Cork and local theatre companies including Corcadorca.

And as you would expect from a city named European Capital of Culture twice ? in both 2005 and 2009 ? Cork is brimming with artistic talent and pride that is celebrated through theatre performances and jazz festivals amongst other things. Alongside a new opera house, there is also a film festival, Cork Film Festival, which supports short films in particular.

But perhaps music, literature and good pint of stout is what makes Cork so attractive, and so easy to return to. If you are a writer, or just a lover of literature, you''ll find something amidst the bookshops and poetry festivals. Never mind the rain ? when the craic is this good, you won''t want to be anywhere else!

Article Source: http://www.casinoarticlessite.com

Caron Kristan wrote this short article after returning from an Irish holiday, and would recommend using booking agents such as octopustravel.com when searching for Cork hotels.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated