New book celebrates Cork's role and history in Europe's heritage

THE influence of Cork on Europe, and vice versa, is examined in a just published book.

With the European Year of Cultural Heritage coming to a close, a variety of different events and projects took place to mark the occasion. 

In Cork, the publication was undertaken to examine the county’s historic place within Europe, titled Europe and the County of Cork: A Heritage Perspective.

Drawing on the expertise of a range of different authors including Elena Turk, Connie Kelleher, Denis Power, Cal McCarthy, Tomás MacConmara, John Hegarty and Clare Heardman, who each provided a chapter and a selection of sites for the publication, the scope of the book is a wide one, covering archaeology, ecclesiastical heritage, maritime heritage, revolution, culture, architecture and natural heritage. 

Community groups from around the county also submitted some examples of local connections with Europe, both through people and place. 

The population of Europe presently stands at over 700m people, 500m of which are resident within the European Union’s 28 member states. 

With the population of Ireland being close to five million and the county of Cork therefore constituting only 0.1 % of the EU population, the extent of connectivity between Co Cork and Europe can be seen in context.

Cork mayor Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy said at its launch: ‘What we learn from the publication is the extraordinary influence that the European mainland has had in Cork over the centuries and millennia, but also, that county Cork as a place is unique, and it too, has played a very strong role in the shaping of Europe over the many years. Here in Cork we are both Irish and European and this publication conveys this so well; a most captivating read.’ 

Cork County Council’s chief executive Tim Lucey added: ‘This timely publication is a fitting recognition of Cork’s place in Europe, particularly as we mark together, 2018, as the European Year of Cultural Heritage.’

• Europe and the County of Cork: A Heritage Perspective is in bookshops and available to purchase for €10 at Floor 3 of the County Hall.