The Cork City Marathon, a key annual sporting event, was held on May 18, 2022. This marathon draws participants from around the world, promoting athletics and tourism. The event includes various races such as a full marathon, half marathon, and a team relay, attracting both professional athletes and amateur runners. It serves as a significant boost to local businesses and helps to inspire community involvement and fitness.

The Cork Jazz Festival, one of Ireland’s largest jazz festivals, attracted a record number of visitors in 2017. The festival featured famous jazz musicians from all over the world, and various venues across the city participated. A significant event in Ireland's musical calendar, the festival contributes to Cork's vibrant cultural scene and local economy, bringing thousands of jazz enthusiasts to the city each year.

Severe floods hit Cork in October 2009, causing significant damage throughout the city. Several parts of Cork were submerged due to the River Lee bursting its banks, leading to power outages and water shortages. It was a major event that led to discussions about urban planning and flood defenses, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure to prevent future disasters of this kind.

In 2005, Cork was designated the European Capital of Culture, a prestigious title that highlights the cultural vibrancy of European cities. Throughout the year, Cork hosted a wide variety of cultural events and festivals, showcasing local and international talents. This recognition helped to transform Cork's cultural scene, attracting international attention and tourism, and leaving a lasting impact on the city.

Cork Opera House reopened in 1991 after undergoing significant renovations. The original opera house had been destroyed by a fire in 1955. The reopening was a major cultural milestone for Cork, restoring an important venue for the performing arts. The state-of-the-art facility has hosted numerous high-profile performances, contributing to Cork's cultural life and economy.

The Cork International Choral Festival, an annual event that began in 1954, was particularly notable in 1985, as it hosted choirs from around 30 countries, bringing a significant boost to the cultural life of the city. This festival, one of the premier events of its kind in Europe, celebrates choral music and has enhanced Cork's reputation as a center for musical excellence, fostering global cultural exchange and appreciation.

Following the events of Bloody Sunday in Derry on January 30, 1972, where British soldiers shot and killed 14 civil rights protesters, large protests erupted across Ireland, including in Cork. The city witnessed significant gatherings where people expressed outrage and mourning. These demonstrations were part of wider international protests that condemned the actions of the British Army and called for justice for the victims.

In June 1923, as part of the Irish Civil War, the Irish Free State forces took control of various strategic installations, including Cork Harbour. Formerly under the control of the anti-treaty IRA, these forts were of strategic importance for the control of naval operations around Cork. This event marked a significant consolidation of power for the national forces and helped to secure the region from anti-treaty forces.

The Burning of Cork was a significant event during the Irish War of Independence, taking place on the night of December 11 to 12, 1920. British forces, known as the Black and Tans and Auxiliaries, set fire to numerous buildings in Cork, including City Hall and the Carnegie Library, resulting in extensive damage to the city center. The event galvanized support for the Irish republican cause and increased tensions between Irish republicans and British authorities.

During the Easter Rising in 1916, while most activities took place in Dublin, Cork was a significant site for the planning and local preparation for the uprising. Several key figures involved in the rebellion were from Cork, and the city served as a hub for the transportation of people and materials. Cork's strategic importance to the rebellion, although not a direct battleground during the events, was crucial to the Irish republican movements of the time.