Cork, Ireland
The Real Capital (Don't Tell Dublin)
"People's Republic of Cork: Better Than Dublin, Allegedly"
Official Coat of Arms
A shield bearing two winding channels of the River Lee arguing over which is the 'real' river, flanked by a giant wheel of cheese from the English Market and a steeple that famously doesn't point straight up. Motto beneath reads 'Statio Bene Fida Carinis' — loosely, 'a safe harbour for ships and also for people who will argue Cork is the real capital.'
TripAdvisor Review
★★★★☆ 4/5
"Came for the English Market, stayed because I couldn't find parking again and gave up trying to leave. The city is built on about fifteen hills and a river that splits into two just to confuse tourists further. Lovely pubs on Oliver Plunkett Street though, and the locals will tell you unprompted why Cork is superior to Dublin in every conceivable way. Docked a star because my GPS had a nervous breakdown near Shandon."— Barry_from_Kildare_Sent_Here_For_Work
Property Listing
Charming riverside city living across not one but TWO channels of the River Lee, giving you twice the flooding potential and twice the character! Enjoy proximity to the world-famous English Market, a skyline dominated by the endearingly wonky Shandon steeple, and an unshakeable local belief that you've moved to the actual best city in Ireland.
Twinned With
Portland — Both are fiercely proud second cities convinced they're actually the best city, quietly resentful of the capital that gets all the attention.
Supporting Evidence
Cork was briefly the capital of Ireland for a few days in 1922 during the Civil War, a fact locals will remind you of at every possible opportunity.