Speis

It's difficult to come to terms with one's own prejudices. You can pretend you don't have one. Or admit to a minor, inoffensive dislike: "people who talk on mobile phones during dinner", "that charity mugger who once mimed the act of removing my headphones at me", "Gary Glitter". Personally I was hoping I'd get by for another few decades before being forced to admit that I'm a spiteful, nasty, bitter person who would sooner boil his own arms off than pay someone a genuine compliment. Ah, the truth shall set you free. Come and dance around the maypole with the grinning pixies and woodland folk while I whisper secrets in your ear.

I can't stand Cork.

It's the accent. And the city. The ridiculous opera house. Those desperate claims to be the real capital of Ireland. Look at this map

The capital city is marked with a little red star and it sure as hell isn't hovering over the river Lee. And don't get me started on that 'People's Republic of Cork' nonsense. It's not a seperate country - last time I checked Cork city was still hanging off the arse end of Ireland.

I know it doesn't make a lot of sense to hate a city but work with me here, people, there is a point to this. While I was working in Village magazine over Christmas (Jesus, is anyone else completely bored of hearing me say that?) they gave me a travel book to review. Sort of a chirpy local history and landmark guide. Written by a friend of the mag.

'Here Dave, see if you can knock out 400 words on that.'

'My pleasure. What's it about?'

'Uh...oh yeah, Cork city.'

My voice shrivelled like an old piece of bacon.

'Great'.

So maybe now you can appreciate what kind of strain I was under as I tried to write a fair account of 'That's Cork'.

Here's what happened. To be honest, I kinda like it.

'A Corkman says to his mate, 'I was reading in a magazine that they are describing Cork as the Paris of Ireland.' The other replies, 'Why aren't they calling Paris the Cork of France?'"

So it is with Tom Galvin's new book That's Cork, a slim, fact-packed guide to the sights and sounds of 'de real capital'. It's not a tourist guide – more a determined expedition to the heart of the Cork psyche...