Cork Harbour is the second largest natural harbour in the world. It is a historical wonder, surrounded by villages, forts, towers and churches, all of which combine to tell the colourful story of Ireland's largest county. A reliable reference book and a quirky guide, this book by author and historian Kieran McCarthy can be dipped into time and again to uncover new landmarks, people and stories from this stunning part of the world.

Did You Know? Cork's Lord Mayors still annually perform the traditional 'Throwing the Dart' ceremony to signify their authority over the port and harbour. On the corner of the Grand Parade and Tuckey Street, embedded into the pavement, is a cannon that was reputedly used during the Siege of Cork. In November 1930 a world speed record was set by Joseph S. Wright when he rode his motorcycle at 150mph up the Carrigrohane Straight Road in Cork. The Little Book of Cork is a compendium of fascinating, obscure, strange and entertaining facts about Cork City. Here you will find out about Cork's buildings and businesses, its proud sporting heritage, its hidden corners and its famous (and occasionally infamous) men and women. Through its bustling thoroughfares and down winding laneways, this book takes the reader on a journey through Cork and its vibrant past, recalling the people and events that shaped this great city. A reliable reference book and a quirky guide, this can be dipped into time and again to reveal something new about the people, the heritage and the secrets of Cork.

The Little Book of Sandymount is a compendium of fascinating, obscure, strange and entertaining facts about one of Dublin’s most important suburbs. Here you will find out about Sandymount’s streets and buildings, its schools and industries, its proud sporting heritage, and its famous (and occasionally infamous) men and women. Through main thoroughfares and twisting back streets, this book takes the reader on a journey through Sandymount and its vibrant past. A reliable reference book and a quirky guide, this can be dipped into time and time again to reveal something new about the people, the heritage and the secrets of this south Dublin suburb.

Did you Know? St Mary's Collegiate Church claims to be the single oldest church in Ireland to have been in constant use over the centuries. The original roof, dating to c .1200, is still in situ. It was Thomas Harriott of Youghal who first brought potatoes and tobacco back from America. He took them to London, where Walter Raleigh introduced them to Queen Elizabeth I. In 1954, part of the Hollywood film Moby Dick was filmed in Youghal. Through main thoroughfares and twisting back streets, The Little Book of Youghal takes the reader on a journey through this historic seaside resort and its vibrant past. Here you will find out about the town's changes though the ages, its people and industries. A reliable reference and a quirky guide, this book can be dipped into time and again to reveal something new about the people, the heritage and the secrets of this historic town.

Ireland has given the world so many wonderful things – Liam Neeson, of course, and loads of other stuff. Yes, Ireland is perhaps the most magical and mysterious nation on earth. No one would dare disagree – them would be fighting words. Ireland is the spiritual home – and actual residence – of a wealth of infamous and adored authors, artists, and icons and an island full of ancient Celtic mysticism and traditions. Beloved by the millions who visit each year, Ireland never disappoints. With its traditional Irish music, scenic coastline and a limitless supply of Guinness, The Little Book of Ireland is the perfect companion, overflowing with craic and facts, stats and wisecracks, and a little bit of local lingo thrown in for good measure. In a nutshell: This tiny tome is Ireland triple-distilled and fits perfectly inside the palm of your hand. There's only one thing left to do - Sláinte! 'Love is never defeated, and I could add, the history of Ireland proves it.' - Pope John Paul II Sean's Bar, in Athlone, is the oldest pub in Ireland. It's also widely believed that it's the oldest pub in the world – dating back to 900 AD. Fancy a pint?"

Did you know that the inventor of the submarine was born along the west coast of Ireland, that ships from the Spanish Armada floundered off the Irish Atlantic seaboard and that guns for the 1916 Easter Rising were to be landed at Barna Strand in Co. Kerry but the ship, The Aud, was intercepted by the British Navy? Did you know that there was a plan to smuggle Marie Antoinette from France and away from Madame Guillotine to Dingle, that the Fasnet Rock off the south coast is known as the 'tear drop of Ireland' and that Maureen O'Hara's husband was a flying boat pilot who regularly flew into the flying boat station at Foynes? And did you know that Martello towers were built along the western seaboard during the Napoleonic Wars in case Napoleon tried to invade Great Britain via 'the back door'? This fact-packed little book is full of all sorts of information that will surprise even those who think they know the towns and villages along the Wild Atlantic Way.

The Little Book of Irish Landmarks is a compendium of fascinating, obscure, strange and entertaining facts about some of Ireland's most iconic landmarks and popular tourist attractions. Here you will find out about the Giant's Causeway, Bunratty Castle, Blarney Castle, Newgrange, Cliffs of Moher, GPO Dublin, Tory Island, Skellig Michael, Hill of Tara and much more. A reliable reference book and a quirky guide, this can be dipped into time and time again to reveal something new about the people, the heritage and the secrets of the Emerald Isle.

The Little Book of County Wexford is a compendium of fascinating, obscure, strange, entertaining and often-overlooked facts about one of Ireland's most historic counties. This selection, compiled over many years of research, includes little-known facts about Wexford's quaint villages and bustling towns, its famous (and occasionally infamous) men and women, its music and poetry, and the events that have shaped it. A reliable reference book and a quirky guide, this can be dipped into time and time again to reveal something new about the people, the heritage and the secrets of the Model County.

Explores the rich and fascinating history of the city of Cork through an examination of some of its greatest architectural treasures.

Cork Harbour's association with infamous ships like Titanic and Lusitania ensure its place in world maritime history. While such tragedies are heavily documented, the story of the modern evolution of the second-largest natural harbour in the world and its trade has received less attention. The Royal Navy's long and extensive association with Cork makes it unique among Irish harbours, an association born of the necessity to protect trade in a growing world of ever-expanding ships and increasingly global enterprise. The trade of the world's most powerful empire instigated the development of Cork harbour as a military hub, and the intensity of that development ebbed and flowed for centuries. The commercial development of the harbour proceeded in tandem with its military evolution, and each was driven and facilitated by the other. Cork's overall development was greatly impacted by the political and military consequences of Britain's increasing prominence on the global stage. The expansion of the British empire, and Britain's periodically turbulent interaction with Ireland, also left their mark on the harbour we know today. Beautifully illustrated with new and archival images, Cork Harbour examines all these interacting themes to outline not only the events that shaped the harbour's rich history, but the complex context in which those events occurred.