Cork

Cork is the principal city of County Cork in southwest Ireland. Known as "the Rebel City" the "real capital of Ireland", Cork has a strong independence and Corkonians are proud of its role in Irish history. This historic merchant port has a lot of Georgian architecture and lively arts, music and food scenes.

It was already the second-largest city in Ireland when in 2019 its boundaries were extended, to have a population of 210,000. The new boundary includes the town of Blarney, but this is described on its own page; Cobh and Crosshaven downriver remained separate.

Understand
Corcaigh is an old word for "salt-marsh" - the River Lee broke up into a wetland delta draining into the drowned valley that forms its natural outer harbour. It was tidal and navigable, and Saint Fin Barre founded a monastery on its south bank in 606 AD, the nucleus of a settlement. The Vikings in the 9th and 10th centuries and the Anglo-Normans from the 12th were also attracted by this fertile area, and sought to claim the area as their own. It was under King Henry II that Cork was granted city status in 1185.

Medieval Cork was walled for defence and overcrowded, so several river channels became infilled, the basis of what is now St Patrick's Street, South Mall and Grand Parade. The main north and south channels persisted, enclosing the arrow-shaped island of the city centre. Cork's heyday was the 17th century, when sea trade was booming but ships had not yet outgrown the river - later the port moved downstream to Cobh. Prosperous suburbs such as Sunday's Well and Montenotte were built on higher ground on the north bank, while on the south bank a university campus grew up from the 19th century.

The Cork Tourist Information Centre is at 125 St Patrick's St, corner of Lavitt's Quay one block west of the bus station.

By plane
To the city: Buses 225 / 226 run every 30 min between the airport, Parnell Place next to Cork bus station, and the main railway station, taking 25 min to the city. Bus 225 starts from Haulbowline navy base via Ringaskiddy cruiser terminal and Carrigaline, Bus 226 starts from Kinsale. In 2023 an adult single is €2.20 by cash and €2 by Leap card.

The taxi rank is outside Arrivals. A taxi to city centre might be €25 for up to four passengers.

Dublin Airport  may work out better, for its better range of flights and direct buses to Cork.

Shannon Airport  near Limerick is a good alternative for transatlantic flights. There's public transport to Cork but you'll be wanting a rental car.

By boat
In summer there are car ferries from Roscoff (15 hr) and Santander (26 hr) to Cork once or twice a week, operated by Brittany Ferries. They were suspended in 2020 and the timetable for 2021 has not been announced.

is at Ringaskiddy, 15 km south east of the city on N28. Bus 223 / 225 runs here, see Get around.

Cruise liners often visit: they may dock at Cobh or at Ringaskiddy, or land passengers by tender for excursions. Many are on round-trip itineraries, but check the upcoming cruise schedule in case a point-to-point journey is possible. For instance transatlantic one-way cruises from New York might let you off at Cork on their way to Southampton.

By train


Trains run hourly from Dublin Heuston, taking 2 hr 40 min to Cork via Kildare, Portlaoise, Ballybrophy, Thurles, Limerick Junction (for Tipperary) and Mallow. A walk-up single is around €40, see Irish Rail website for timetables, fares and online tickets. From central Dublin, get a ticket from city centre not Heuston, as this includes the tram fare and saves a couple of euros over separate tickets.

From Limerick, change at Limerick Junction. Change there also coming from Waterford, via Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel, Cahir and Tipperary.

From Tralee (via Killarney and Mallow) a couple of trains are direct, but you normally change at Mallow onto the commuter train.

Commuter trains run from Cobh and from Midleton every 30 min. See Get Around for the suburban stations.

is the main station,on Lower Glanmire Road, 500 m east of city centre. There's just a coffee shop here but lots of facilities outside on the street, and be grateful that your train isn't going to be hauled by Engine No 36, the Victorian 2-2-2 loco in the main hall. For local buses take the south exit onto Horgan's Quay. The station is named for Thomas Kent or Tomás Ceannt (1865 – 1916), executed for his part in the Easter Rising. He and his three brothers actually stayed home, but when the police came to arrest known sympathisers there was a shoot-out which killed his brother Richard and a policeman.

By bus
Buses run hourly from Dublin Airport (3 hr 30 min) and Busáras (3 hr) to Cork, for a single adult fare of around €20. There's competition on the route between Aircoach (Bus 704X), Bus Éireann (Expressway X8) and Gobus.

City Link runs every 3 hours from Galway via Shannon Airport, Limerick, and Cork city centre and airport. The slower Bus Éireann 51 runs hourly from Galway via Ennis, Shannon Airport, Limerick and Mallow to Cork.

Expressway Bus 40 runs hourly from Rosslare harbour (for ferries from Wales and the Continent) via Wexford, New Ross, Waterford, Dungarvan and Youghal to Cork, where it takes a break then continues west to Macroom, Ballyvourney, Killarney, Farranfore (for Kerry Airport) and Tralee.

Bus Éireann 260 runs five times a day from Youghal to Cork; some of them start from Ardmore in County Waterford.

The bus terminus is off Merchants Quay.

By car
From Dublin take M7 onto M8 and reckon 2 hr 30 min. There are tolls at Portlaoise and Fermoy, €1.90 at each, pay online or by phone. Avoid rush hour in Dublin or Cork if you can.

N20 from Limerick is mostly an undivided road and will take around 1 hr 45 min to Cork. Say an hour from Killarney and 90 min from Waterford.

From Cobh you could cross via onto R610.

Try to avoid bringing a car into city centre. If you're day-tripping, use the Park & Ride at Black Ash south side of the city; it's well signposted and cost €5 to park all day, with a free bus to and from the centre. The last outbound bus is at 8PM and the park is locked at 8:30PM so it's not for evening attractions. The University has its own Park & Ride and shuttle bus, but you need to show staff or student ID to use it.

On foot
Cork has a small city centre, and most places to stay, eat, drink and tour are within one busy km. So too are the transport hubs.

By bicycle
There are many cycleways, both in-street and segregated, with some contraflow lanes.

The bike share scheme has docking stations across the city centre extending west to UCC. You need to register and pay a deposit of €150. As of Nov 2020, an annual pass is €10 and a 3-day visitor pass is €3. The first 30 min of any journey is free.

Cycle shops offering bike hire are Cycle Scene and The Bike Shed. Kilgrews in city centre sell and repair but don't hire.

By train
Irish Rail commuter trains serve three lines out of Cork Kent station:
 * East then south every 30-60 min to Little Island, Glounthaune, Fota (for Wildlife Park), Carrigaloe, Rushbrooke and Cobh, taking 25 min, single fare €5.
 * East every 30-60 min to Little Island, Glounthaune, Carrigtwohill and Midleton, for the Jameson Whiskey Distillery, 25 min, single fare €5.
 * North hourly non-stop to Mallow, for the racecourse, 25 min. Many of these are inter-city trains to Dublin Heuston or Tralee, but you pay the same commuter fare of around €10 single.

By bus
Buses in Cork are run by Bus Éireann, with 22 routes, see map. Apart from three orbital routes that you're unlikely to use (201 north, 219 south and 225 further south), they all run cross-town, with central stops around St Patrick Street, Merchants Quay or Parnell Place main bus station. They run daily 6:30AM-11:30PM, every 10-20 min at peak times, except Bus 220 which runs 24 hours.


 * Route 202 from Hollyhill and Knocknaheeney northwest to city centre then Blackrock and Mahon Point southeast.
 * Route 203 from Farranree and Blackpool in the north to city centre then Turners Cross and Ballyphehane south.
 * Route 205 from Cork Institute of Technology and University College Cork west to Kent Railway Station.
 * Route 208 from Curraheen and Cork University Hospital southwest to city centre then Mayfield and Lotabeg northeast.
 * Route 213 from Black Ash Park & Ride south to St Patrick Street in the city centre - no Sunday service. The P&R is locked at 20:30.
 * Route 214 from Cork University Hospital and Wilton southwest to city centre.
 * Routes 215 and 215A from Jacobs Island and Mahon Point southeast to South Mall in the city centre. Route 215 also extends northwest across the city to Blarney and Cloghroe.
 * Route 220 runs 24 hours from Ovens and Ballincollig in the west to city centre then Douglas and Carrigaline southeast. Alternate buses continue to Crosshaven.

Most bus stops have real time displays. You can also plan your journey and check real time arrivals with the TFI website and apps. All buses are low-floor wheelchair accessible.

Cash fares within the city are €2.40-2.80 adult and €1.40-1.70 child, while if paying with a TFI Leap Card are €1.68-1.96 adult and €0.98-1.19 child. On TFI Leap Card, 24 hour, 7 day and monthly tickets are also available.

By taxi
Fares are nationally regulated and taxis must use the meter. As of March 2021, fares M-Sa 8AM to 8PM are €3.60 flagfall then €1.10-1.50 per km, 8PM to 8AM, and Sunday €4.00 flagfall then €1.40-1.80 per km. In slow traffic or if asked to wait they charge by the minute, 40-50 cents. Fares are negotiable for longer out of town trips. Many drivers also offer fixed priced guided tours.

Taxis look like normal cars with a yellow bar with their licence number and "taxi" or "Tacsaí" printed on it. If the light is on, the taxi is available for hire.

See

 * Red Abbey Tower is off Douglas St just east of Nano Nagle Place. It's one of the few medieval structures remaining in Cork, the bell tower of a 14th century Augustinian abbey: in 1690 John Churchill (later Duke of Marlborough) used its vantage point to blast away at the Jacobites below. The Augustinians moved out in the 18th century and the abbey became a sugar refinery, then in 1799 a fire destroyed everything except the tower. You can't go inside.
 * Fitzgerald's Park outside the museum is a genteel municipal space on the riverside, laid out in 1902 after Cork hosted an international trade exhibition here. Your only excitement will be from crossing the pedestrian "Shaky Bridge" to Sunday's Well Rd on the north bank.
 * Red Abbey Tower is off Douglas St just east of Nano Nagle Place. It's one of the few medieval structures remaining in Cork, the bell tower of a 14th century Augustinian abbey: in 1690 John Churchill (later Duke of Marlborough) used its vantage point to blast away at the Jacobites below. The Augustinians moved out in the 18th century and the abbey became a sugar refinery, then in 1799 a fire destroyed everything except the tower. You can't go inside.
 * Fitzgerald's Park outside the museum is a genteel municipal space on the riverside, laid out in 1902 after Cork hosted an international trade exhibition here. Your only excitement will be from crossing the pedestrian "Shaky Bridge" to Sunday's Well Rd on the north bank.
 * Fitzgerald's Park outside the museum is a genteel municipal space on the riverside, laid out in 1902 after Cork hosted an international trade exhibition here. Your only excitement will be from crossing the pedestrian "Shaky Bridge" to Sunday's Well Rd on the north bank.
 * Fitzgerald's Park outside the museum is a genteel municipal space on the riverside, laid out in 1902 after Cork hosted an international trade exhibition here. Your only excitement will be from crossing the pedestrian "Shaky Bridge" to Sunday's Well Rd on the north bank.
 * Fitzgerald's Park outside the museum is a genteel municipal space on the riverside, laid out in 1902 after Cork hosted an international trade exhibition here. Your only excitement will be from crossing the pedestrian "Shaky Bridge" to Sunday's Well Rd on the north bank.
 * Fitzgerald's Park outside the museum is a genteel municipal space on the riverside, laid out in 1902 after Cork hosted an international trade exhibition here. Your only excitement will be from crossing the pedestrian "Shaky Bridge" to Sunday's Well Rd on the north bank.
 * Fitzgerald's Park outside the museum is a genteel municipal space on the riverside, laid out in 1902 after Cork hosted an international trade exhibition here. Your only excitement will be from crossing the pedestrian "Shaky Bridge" to Sunday's Well Rd on the north bank.
 * Fitzgerald's Park outside the museum is a genteel municipal space on the riverside, laid out in 1902 after Cork hosted an international trade exhibition here. Your only excitement will be from crossing the pedestrian "Shaky Bridge" to Sunday's Well Rd on the north bank.


 * main campus is beyond the Glucksman on Western Rd. You can stroll around (see college map) and take in the variety of architecture, from the modern extension of the Boole Library to the Honan Chapel, completed in 1917 but got up in Celtic-Gothic style to look much older.
 * is 1 km south of city centre. The Lough, which gives its name to the neighbourhood, is a small freshwater lake fed by springs bubbling out of the limestone; it's barely 1 metre deep. The Lough is ringed by housing but is a wildlife reserve: waterfowl nest on the wooded island at the south end. The lough shore has a firm track of 1.1 km, popular with joggers and dog-walkers. There are carp, eels, tench and other freshwater fish, and coarse angling is permitted by catch and release. There's a cafe by the north end and a bar with meals at the south end.
 * is 1 km south of city centre. The Lough, which gives its name to the neighbourhood, is a small freshwater lake fed by springs bubbling out of the limestone; it's barely 1 metre deep. The Lough is ringed by housing but is a wildlife reserve: waterfowl nest on the wooded island at the south end. The lough shore has a firm track of 1.1 km, popular with joggers and dog-walkers. There are carp, eels, tench and other freshwater fish, and coarse angling is permitted by catch and release. There's a cafe by the north end and a bar with meals at the south end.

Further out

 * is a town 16 km west of Cork along the road to Youghal. Its main attraction is the Old Midleton Distillery or "Jameson Experience", with a huge waterwheel and pot still, which produced Jameson whiskey from 1825. It's open for tours daily 10:30AM-5PM (€26 in 2023). In 1975 production transferred to the new distillery alongside; the business is now owned by Pernod Ricard. There are tour buses from Cork to the distillery, and the railway re-opened in 2009, so Midleton has grown into a large commuter town. The Farmer's Market is held on Saturday 9AM-1AM.
 * is a small village 5 km west of Cork which throughout the 19th century held a large military-industrial complex, the Royal Gunpowder Mills. These are nowadays just bosky ruins 500 m north of the village in the riverbank park. 500 m south of the village is the Norman stump of Ballincollig Castle, which is on private land.
 * is the substantial ruin of a 15th century Franciscan abbey. It came under repeated attack by the English while the Friars holed up in Kilcrea Castle 500 m west: the castle ruin is on a farm with no public access.
 * Cobh and Crosshaven are small ports in Cork Harbour, see separate pages.
 * is the substantial ruin of a 15th century Franciscan abbey. It came under repeated attack by the English while the Friars holed up in Kilcrea Castle 500 m west: the castle ruin is on a farm with no public access.
 * Cobh and Crosshaven are small ports in Cork Harbour, see separate pages.

Do

 * What's on? Listen to Cork 96 on 96.4 MHz, C103 on 102.6 MHz, or Red FM on 106.1 MHz.
 * Read Cork Independent, The Echo, The Cork, The Corkman or Cork Beo.


 * Cork City Tours operate a hop-on hop-off bus tour of the city, as well as excursions out to the Jameson Distillery, Mizen Head, and Ring of Kerry. These run May-Sep, and in 2023 the city tour is €18 adult, €16 conc, €7 child.
 * Cork Arts Theatre is on Carroll's Quay, Box Office +353 21 450 5624.
 * Crane Lane Theatre on the block between South Mall and Oliver Plunkett St is a live music venue and bar open to 02:00 nightly.
 * Gate Cinema is top of North Main Street by the bridge.
 * Triskel Arts Centre on Tobin Street has a gallery, live music, theatre and a cinema.
 * Cyprus Avenue is a live music venue on Caroline Street.



Sports

 * Gaelic games at
 * Soccer at
 * Rugby Union, 15-a-side: Munster Rugby are one of the four Irish professional teams playing in the United Rugby Championship (formerly Pro14), the European (predominantly Celtic) league. Their usual home ground is in Limerick, but some home games are at Musgrave Park, capacity 8000 (also known as Irish Independent Park). Junior internationals are also held here. It's off Pearse Rd a mile south of the centre.
 * Go to the races but you need to set off early: Cork Racecourse is at Mallow 35 km north.

Events

 * St Patrick's Day on 17 March is a big event here, with streets closed off for the parade.
 * Cork Midsummer Festival features theatre, music, dance, painting, photography and more. The next is 14-25 June 2023.
 * Ironman Triathlon is held between Youghal and Cork in late August. The event offers 40 qualifying slots for the world championships in Hawaii.
 * Cork Jazz Festival is held in late October.
 * Cork International Film Festival is held in November.

Buy

 * Shopping areas are along St Patrick's Street, Oliver Plunkett Street, Paul Street and North Main Street.
 * Farmers' Markets are held at Blackrock (Su 10AM-2PM), Mahon Point (Th 10AM-2PM), Douglas (Sa 10AM-2PM) and Midleton (Sa 9AM-1PM).
 * Farmers' Markets are held at Blackrock (Su 10AM-2PM), Mahon Point (Th 10AM-2PM), Douglas (Sa 10AM-2PM) and Midleton (Sa 9AM-1PM).

Eat
Eating places and bars are everywhere, but especially on MacCurtain Street, Washington Street and Oliver Plunkett Street.

Mid-range

 * Another Cafe Gusto is at 3 Washington St.
 * Another Cafe Gusto is at 3 Washington St.
 * Another Cafe Gusto is at 3 Washington St.
 * Another Cafe Gusto is at 3 Washington St.
 * Another Cafe Gusto is at 3 Washington St.
 * Another Cafe Gusto is at 3 Washington St.

Drink

 * Useful to know: "langered" is the Cork term for being drunk. A "langer" is an idiot, asshole or drunk.


 * Rising Sons Brewery is on Cornmarket opposite Tesco. The bar is open Su-Th noon-11:30PM, F Sa noon-12:30AM and serves food.
 * The Poor Relation is on Parnell Place 100 m south of the bus station. They serve Rising Sons ales and are open M-Th 10:30AM-11PM, F Sa 10:30AM-12:30Am, Su noon-11:30PM.
 * Rising Sons Brewery is on Cornmarket opposite Tesco. The bar is open Su-Th noon-11:30PM, F Sa noon-12:30AM and serves food.
 * The Poor Relation is on Parnell Place 100 m south of the bus station. They serve Rising Sons ales and are open M-Th 10:30AM-11PM, F Sa 10:30AM-12:30Am, Su noon-11:30PM.
 * Rising Sons Brewery is on Cornmarket opposite Tesco. The bar is open Su-Th noon-11:30PM, F Sa noon-12:30AM and serves food.
 * The Poor Relation is on Parnell Place 100 m south of the bus station. They serve Rising Sons ales and are open M-Th 10:30AM-11PM, F Sa 10:30AM-12:30Am, Su noon-11:30PM.
 * Rising Sons Brewery is on Cornmarket opposite Tesco. The bar is open Su-Th noon-11:30PM, F Sa noon-12:30AM and serves food.
 * The Poor Relation is on Parnell Place 100 m south of the bus station. They serve Rising Sons ales and are open M-Th 10:30AM-11PM, F Sa 10:30AM-12:30Am, Su noon-11:30PM.
 * Rising Sons Brewery is on Cornmarket opposite Tesco. The bar is open Su-Th noon-11:30PM, F Sa noon-12:30AM and serves food.
 * The Poor Relation is on Parnell Place 100 m south of the bus station. They serve Rising Sons ales and are open M-Th 10:30AM-11PM, F Sa 10:30AM-12:30Am, Su noon-11:30PM.
 * Rising Sons Brewery is on Cornmarket opposite Tesco. The bar is open Su-Th noon-11:30PM, F Sa noon-12:30AM and serves food.
 * The Poor Relation is on Parnell Place 100 m south of the bus station. They serve Rising Sons ales and are open M-Th 10:30AM-11PM, F Sa 10:30AM-12:30Am, Su noon-11:30PM.

Summer Accommodation
Cork is a University City, so students have time-off during the summer. These beds offer great value, location and convenience to the summer visitor.

Budget

 * Camping: the closest campsite is near Blarney 8 km northwest and open Apr-Oct.
 * Camping: the closest campsite is near Blarney 8 km northwest and open Apr-Oct.
 * Camping: the closest campsite is near Blarney 8 km northwest and open Apr-Oct.
 * Camping: the closest campsite is near Blarney 8 km northwest and open Apr-Oct.

Mid-range

 * Airport:
 * Airport:
 * Airport:
 * Airport:
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 * Airport:
 * Airport:
 * Airport:
 * Airport:
 * Airport:

Stay safe
Cork is mostly safe, but show usual caution around rowdy drunks.

Connect
As of March 2023, Cork and its approach roads have 5G from all Irish carriers.

Go next

 * Blarney 8 km northwest has the castle, gardens and of course the Blarney Stone — it's very touristy.
 * Cobh, reached by local train, was the port for Cork in the age of the great ocean liners. It's an agreeable colourful place often visited by cruise ships.
 * Crosshaven is a pleasant seaside town with clean beaches and clifftop walks.
 * Kinsale is an attractive seaside town with water sports and the impressive Charles Fort.
 * Further west beyond Clonakilty the coastline becomes rugged, with stony hills surrounding small towns such as Skibbereen and Bantry.
 * Lismore in County Waterford has a fine castle, gardens and cathedral, and several mansions and gardens in the countryside around.
 * Cahir in County Tipperary has a castle on a river island and the playful Swiss Cottage.
 * Killarney in County Kerry has the Killarney lakes, castle and wildlife park.