Cork Harbour claims to be the second largest harbour in the world after Sydney, Australia.

On the east side are the ruins of Woodhill, the house to which Sarah Curran fled after the execution of her lover, Robert Emmet in 1803. Nearby is the ruin of Dundanion Castle from where William Penn sailed in 1669, to fine Pennsylvania. Penn's father was also a seafaring man. Admiral William Penn was born in Macroom, County Cork in 1621, and was granted the castle by Oliver Cromwell in 1654.

Blackrock, on the edge of Cork, was the birthplace of Richard Croker (1841 - 1922). His family emigrated to New York when he was a child, and he rose through New York politics to become the Boss of Tammany Hall, the powerful political machine that dominated democratic party politics for twenty years. He survived a major corruption scandal during his time in office, and returned to Ireland a wealthy man in 1903. He lived the rest of his life on a large estate in Ireland, and won the Epsom Derby with his horse Orby in 1907.

The name Tammany came from Tamanend, the Delaware Indian Chief who welcomed William Penn and signed the lost treaty of Shakamaxon in 1682.

If you are coming on An Irish Holiday to the cork area these are historical sites to check out, and maybe you could download my Album of Irish melodies "An Irish Holiday" to listen to and enjoy along the way.

You can subscribe to my music site, O'Byrne World Music, if you wish and get some free tracks for your enjoyment.