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The Atlantic Pond, in the shadow of Páirc Uí Chaoimh is a popular area for walkers and is populated by wildlife, mainly ducks and swans.Its about a 20 minute walk from the city centre. Nearby is the Marina, a picturesque, tree lined avenue (not strictly a marina) which runs along the southern bank of the River Lee from Blackrock Village past Páirc Uí Chaoimh and is a popular spot for recreational activities such as walking and cycling.
Cork Harbour (Irish: Cuan Chorcaí)[2] is a natural harbour and river estuary at the mouth of the River Lee in County Cork, Ireland. It is one of several which lay claim to the title of "second largest natural harbour in the world by navigational area" (after Port Jackson, Sydney).[3] Other contenders include Halifax Harbour in Canada, Trincomalee Harbour in Sri Lanka and Poole Harbour in England.

Cork Harbour
Aerial photograph, Cork Harbour.jpg
Aerial view of lower Cork Harbour from Crosshaven (south/foreground) to Great Island
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Cork Harbour is located in IrelandCork HarbourCork Harbour
Location
Cork
Coordinates
51°51′N 8°16′W
River sources
River Lee
Ocean/sea sources
Celtic Sea
Basin countries
Ireland
Settlements
Cork
Ramsar Wetland
Designated
7 June 1996
Reference no.
837[1]
The harbour has been a working port and a strategic defensive hub for centuries, and it has been one of Ireland's major employment hubs since the early 1900s. Traditional heavy industries have waned since the late 20th century, with the likes of the closure of Irish Steel in Haulbowline and shipbuilding at Verolme. It still has strategic significance in energy generation, shipping, refining and pharmaceuticals development.[4]

Geography Edit
The main tributary to the harbour is the River Lee which, after flowing through Cork city, passes through the upper harbour (Lough Mahon) in the northwest before passing to the west of Great Island with the main channel emerging into the lower harbour past Haulbowline Island.

For conservation and navigation purposes, the harbour is often separated into "Upper Cork Harbour" (following the River Lee from Cork city to the towns of Passage West and Monkstown) and "Lower Cork Harbour" (separated from the upper harbour by Great Island).[5][6]

The depth of the harbour has been measured at between 4 fathoms (7.3 m) and 14 fathoms (26 m).
Cork Harbour contains a number of islands of various sizes, some of which are connected to the mainland by bridges. Islands which are or have been inhabited include:


Detail of 1780s map showing lower harbour islands (Spike, Haulbowline) and defensive structures (at Cove Fort, Fort Carlisle, Spike, Rams Head, and Roches Tower)
Great Island – The largest island in Cork Harbour, which includes the town of Cobh
Fota Island – Containing Fota Wildlife Park, Fota House and the Fota Island Resort Hotel and golf course
Little Island – A residential and industrial area
Haulbowline Island – Headquarters of the Irish Naval Service, and former home of the Cork Water Club (1720).[8]
Spike Island – Former prison island
Harper's Island – Site of the Harper’s Island Wetland Centre[9]
Hop Island – Site of an equestrian centre
Weir Island
Brick Island
Corkbeg Island – Site of Whitegate Oil Refinery
Brown Island
Rocky Island – Once housed a magazine building for the Royal Navy. Used by Irish Steel for storage until 2002, and now home to 'The Island Crematorium'.
Settlements Edit
Cork city is located slightly upstream on the River Lee on the northwest corner of Cork Harbour. Several of the city's suburbs, including Blackrock, Mahon, Douglas, Passage West and Rochestown lie on Lough Mahon or the Douglas Estuary, both of which are parts of Upper Cork Harbour.

The Lower Harbour has a number of towns around its shores. Passage West, Monkstown, Ringaskiddy and the smaller village of Raffeen are found on the western shore. On the southwestern shore is Crosshaven. Great Island, which forms the northern shore of the lower harbour, houses the town of Cobh. As of 2011, Cobh had a population of about 12,500.[10] The eastern shore is less densely populated, but has two villages Whitegate and Aghada, both home to power plants.

The village of Ballinacurra is on the northeastern spur of the harbour, known as the Ballynacorra River. Due to the recent expansion of the town of Midleton, Ballinacurra has effectively become a suburb of Midleton, so it could also be said that Midleton lies on Cork Harbour.