Cork Just Got Named One of the Most Colourful Cities in the World… and Honestly, I'm Not Surprised

I came across a recent study by Inkifi that made me stop for a moment — Cork has been recognised as one of the most colourful cities in the world.

And you know what? It just felt right.

If you’ve ever spent time in Cork, you’ll understand why. There’s something about the place that goes beyond what you see. It’s in the reflections on the River Lee, the way the buildings catch the evening light, the unexpected bursts of colour tucked into everyday streets. It’s not loud or showy — it’s warm, layered, and quietly alive.

That’s the kind of colour that stays with you.

And it’s also the kind of colour that makes Cork such a meaningful place when it comes to giving a gift.

Because when you’re buying for someone with a Cork connection — maybe they grew up there, studied there, met someone there, or simply fell in love with it on a visit — you’re not just buying something nice. You’re trying to capture a feeling. A memory. A sense of place.

That’s not easy to do.

A generic gift won’t get you there. Even most souvenirs won’t quite land it. But art… art has a chance.

This is where expressionist prints of Cork really come into their own.

They’re not about getting every building perfectly straight or every window exactly right. They’re about capturing the feeling of Cork — the movement in the water, the glow of the light, the richness of the colours that seem to deepen the longer you look.

In a way, they reflect how we actually remember places. Not as photographs, but as impressions.

And that’s why they work so well as gifts.

If someone has a connection to Cork, even a small one, they’ll recognise something in it. Maybe it’s the way the light sits on the buildings. Maybe it’s the softness of the reflections. Maybe it’s just the sense of calm or familiarity that comes through.

It becomes personal very quickly.

I often think about how many homes today are quite neutral — soft greys, whites, calm spaces. Beautiful in their own way, but sometimes missing a bit of life. A colourful Cork print changes that instantly. It brings warmth into the room. It becomes a talking point. Someone will always ask, “Where is that?” — and there’s a story ready to be told.

And that’s really what you’re giving.

Now, one thing people often ask me is whether the original paintings are available. The honest answer is — they rarely last long. Any of my original Expressions of Cork paintings tend to sell out almost immediately, which tells you something about how strongly people connect with these scenes.

But the good news is, I’ve made limited edition prints available in a range of sizes, so you can still bring that same feeling into your home or give it as a gift. You can find these on my website, or through any of the galleries that stock my work.

And if you’d like to be one of the first to know when a new original in the series becomes available, the best thing to do is join my mailing list or follow me on social media. I share updates there first — so whether it’s a new Cork scene, a release, or something special, you won’t miss it.

Because when something resonates with people the way Cork does, it doesn’t hang around for long.

So if you’re thinking about a gift for someone with a Cork connection, it’s worth thinking beyond the usual options. Think about what would actually mean something to them. What might remind them of home, or a moment, or a feeling they didn’t even realise they missed.

Because when a place like Cork is captured well, it doesn’t just stay on the canvas.

It follows you home.