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    Awaiting Your Return From Shore | 
      The 
              proud city of Cork has a recorded history that dates back to the 
              7th Century with the founding of a monastery by St. Finbarr on a 
              small alluvial island in the River Lee. In fact, Cork’s ancient 
              Irish name literally means “Marshy Place.” Today, St. Finbarr’s 
              Cathedral now stands on this very spot.
              The monastery and the settlement which grew up around it 
              flourished despite several Danish raids, and later were 
              incorporated into the fortified base the Danes developed here. 
              After King Henry II arrived in Ireland in 1172, the town was 
              captured several times, recovered, then retaken, with the English 
              and the Irish alternating as its masters. The Druids, Celts, and 
              Vikings also passed through this area. In 1284, Cork was 
              surrounded by a new circuit of walls which was pulled down in 1690 
              after four centuries of war and destruction.
 During the Civil War in 1921, large areas of the city were damaged 
              by fire. As a result of this history of war and destruction, Cork 
              unfortunately has no medieval buildings left standing and boasts 
              only a few remnants from the 18th Century. In addition, the 
              central area between the two arms of the river takes its 
              architectural character from the churches and other buildings of 
              the early 19th Century. The fronts of these houses are frequently 
              color washed, and the quays along the river are tree-lined.
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    Awaiting Your Return 
    From Shore | 
  
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    Complimentary 
    Spirits Await | 
    
    Return to Your 
    Suite and Sail Away to The Next Adventure | 
    
    Entertainment 
    and Dancing Await You |