Cork Harbour
Cork Harbour (Irish: Cuan Chorcaí) 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). Other contenders include Halifax Harbour in Canada, Trincomalee Harbour in Sri Lanka and Poole Harbour in England.
| Cork Harbour | |
|---|---|
Aerial view of lower Cork Harbour from Crosshaven (south/foreground) to Great Island | |
Cork 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 |
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.