But Are they really talking about us?
Saturday November 07 2009
If we were to conform to stereotype, the reaction to Lonely Planet's verdict on Leeside would be: "Sure what took them so long, like?"
Ah yes, the Cork superiority complex, that bumptious belief that when God created the Rebel County, he was right at the top of his game.
Not only a beautiful, historic and cosmopolitan capital, commanding the finest deep-water harbour in the world, but also a proud history of brilliance and innovation in culture, science, politics and education.
And our innate modesty, don't forget the modesty.
Weren't we the European Capital of Culture in 2005? That's right, the Capital.
And did we mention our world class cuisine? The famed English Market and the gourmand's playground that is Kinsale, our gilded Monaco of the North?
The rest of the country will have heard the news from Lonely Planet and groaned: "Oh Sweet Jesus, as if they weren't bad enough already."
But behind the declarations that the guidebook people are only after catching on to what the rest of the world already knew, a lot of Cork people will be secretly wondering if they are really talking about us?
Yes, we have a pretty little city that has managed to avoid, more by luck than design, the kind of developer-led vandalism that has despoiled parts of Dublin.
But one of the top 10 city destinations in the world? Even the most gung-ho Corkonian, high on Beamish and crubeens, might baulk at making that kind of claim.
Talk to Cork city people like myself and we will tell you, sure, spend some time in the city.
Have a pint in the Hi-B or The Idle Hour and a bite in the English Market, walk up to Shandon and give the bells a ring.
But if you are looking for glamour or scenery, you need to hit the yachtie paradise of Kinsale or hang with the millionaires and international media stars down in West Cork, one of the few EU designated rural disadvantaged areas to offer terrine de foie gras as pub grub.
Cork is a compact little port city with a lot going for it but I doubt if the city fathers of Venice, Rio de Janeiro or Cape Town will be panicking just yet.
But then again, if you look to the rest of the cities on the Lonely Planet list for 2010, maybe glamour, architectural magnificence and a carnival like street-life weren't what they were looking for.
And with cities like Kyoto and Istanbul on the list, Cork can certainly hold its head high.
This is one Corkman who has spent time on the streets of both Kyoto and Istanbul.
And in all fairness, neither the Ginkaku-ji Temple nor the Bosphorus Straits could hold a candle to The Hanging Gardens of Montenotte.
- Corkonian Joe O'Shea
Irish Independent
