Cork is a seaport and the capital of Cork on the River Lee, 11 miles from its mouth, at the head of an estuary known as Cork Harbour. It is 165 miles SW of Dublin.

Cork was founded by St. Finbar in the 7th century and in the 9th century, it was plundered by the Danes, who then established themselves on an island between the two arms of the Lee. Their old town is the central part of Cork today. Numerous bridges connect it with the mainland. Henry II of England captured Cork in 1171. Its citizens embraced the caused of James II but were defeated by the Duke of Marlborough's army in 1690.