Cork City Area Guide
Princes Street Cork - street lighting for Cork - European City of culture 2005.
latest update February 2008
Cork City
In many ways Cork is the ideal Irish city. It will never win a beauty contest, but who cares? It's an overgrown market town that bustles without being too busy. It's a place at ease with itself that isn't trying to vie with cities abroad (as is Dublin), or escape it's history (like Limerick). Cork is happy to be Cork. The natural self confidence of the place and it's people make it the most relaxing Irish city to spend time in. It's setting on steep hills above the River Lee has led some people to compare its to San Fancisco - WELL... MAYBE.....after a couple of pints of the local Murphy's Stout you might agree. This is also Rebel Cork, fiercely independent, where Catholics and Protestants supported the 32 county side in the Irish Civil War 1921 - 1923. Rebel Cork has adopted the paraphenalia of the Confederate Southern USA and the flags come out every time the county wins a sports competiton.
Transport
Trains 021 450 4777 and Long Distance Coaches arrive at the Station on Lower Glanmire Road. More local buses at Cork Bus Station 021 450 8188 on Merchant's Quay which has a Left Luggage facility. Cork Airport 021 431 3131 is on a hill 6 km south of the city centre on the N27 with Bus 226 and Taxi into town.. There are a number of bus services around town. Ferries to the U.K. and France run from Ringnaskiddy to the south east of town. Swansea Cork Ferries 14 Union Quay. Irish Bookings 021 483 6000. Brittany Ferries 42 Grand Parade 021 427 7801.
Information
For your standard tourist fayre Cork City Tourist Office , Grand Parade 021 425 5100. For an alternative view try the Quay Coop at 24 Sullivan's Quay 021 317600. This is no longer the wonderfully anarchic place it was during the 80's and early 90's but more still goes on here than you would think at first sight. Has wholefood shop and an organic cafe. Find out what's on in town at www.whazon.com . Also check out www.wheresmeculture.com (a grassroots site), check out gigs at www.corkgigs.com
Internet access: Wired to the World 28 North Main Street €1 per hour
Sightseeing.
The town is a great place just to walk around. Between the two arms of the River Lee is the flat Georgian central area. North of the River is the old Shandon area. Westwards by the river is Fitzgerald Park and the student area of town. Above the river in all direction the houses climb the hills.
Centre of Town. Crawford Municipal Art Gallery, Emmet Place, entry free, has an excellent collection including many Irish artists. Cork City Gaol, Convent Avenue, gives you a good idea of 19th century prison life.The south Lee channel is overlooked by the improbably structured Gothic edifice of Holy Trinity Church. The secret is that there is steel reinforcement under the stone.
Shandon area. Watched over by the bell tower of St Anne's Church this area of tiny steets and tightly packed houses dates from the 17th century. It has tried to be the city's arts and craftsy quarter but this seems to be on the wane. The Shandon Craft Centre's shops are eerily quiet.
West of Centre. Fitzgerald Park by the north channel of the River Lee is worth a wander. Here you will find the recently extended Cork Public Museum.Get the low down on Rebel Cork here. The recently built Glucksman Gallery at the University College Cork campus on Western Road has plenty of contemporary art.
South of Centre. St Finbar's Cathedral is an imposing Victorian church in high french gothic style. To its east around Barrack Street is a well preserved 19th century working class suburb - a maze of narrow roads and lanesways. It has a reputation of being pretty rough - but its where the film makers came for the laneways in the Angelas Ashes film - as Limerick city council has bulldozed the actual ones Frank McCourt grew up in.
Theartre and Film
There's a busy local scene with the New Granary on Mardyke Quay 021 904 275 and more avant guard stuff at the Triskel Arts Centre on Tobin Street 021 277 300 which also has a good cafe. Catch the big names at Everyman's Theatre on MacCurtain Street 021 501673 and for highbrow entertainment check out the Cork Opera House on Emmet Place 021 270022. Just want to crash in front of the latest blockbuster? - go to Capitol Cineplex 021 272 216 on Grand Parade and Washington street.
Food
Nash 19, 19 Princes Street has reasonably priced, healthy food as does Cafe Gusto, 43 Washington Street Try the Quay Co-op (see Information above). The covered English Market, Grand Parade is one of the best fresh food markets in Ireland.
Pubs and Clubs
You will never be short of a drink here. This is one place in Ireland where a drop of the black stuff doesn't mean Guinness. There are two local contenders: Murphy's and Beamish. An Spailpin Fanach 28 South Main Street, has nightly Trad music. An Cruscín Lán, Douglas Street has rock/blues gigs and alternative club nights. The Donkey's Ears on Union The Franciscan Well Brewery bar, 14 North Mall brews it's own beer! Quay plays reggae and hip hop. For Clubs try The Half Moon Theatre behind Cork Opera House for a mix of DJs and live bands. The Roundy 11 castle street is a cafe-bar with DJs and live bands. The Other Place 8 Main Street is a Gay/Lesbian Club, cafe and bookshop.
Sports
There is a fine sports tradition Here. Cork are frequent finalists in the annual All Ireland Hurling Championship.. There are many local team games as well. Hurling and Gaelic Football take place at the Pairc Ui Chaoimh (GAA Stadium) in Blackrock on Sundays from June to September. The first Saturday in July sees the Cork City Sports at the UCC Mardyke Arena. A day of athletics with international competitors.
Festivals
Cork has Plenty. International Choral Festival late April/Early May . Folk Festival in September. Cork International Jazz Festival in October spills out of the concerts halls into restaurants , bars and even onto the pavement.,Cork International Film Festival is in the same month.
Blarney
'Blarney, Blarney, what he says he does not mean, its the usual Blarney'. So said Elizabeth 1st of England of the slippery McCathey, King of Munster and Earl of Blarney. A legend was born. If being dangled head first at a height of 25 metres is your idea of fun come 11 km west of Cork city to Blarney Castle and kiss the stone. The Blarney - Tower area is now two miles of Cork commuter suburb.There is also Blarney Woolen Mills and 19th century scottish baronial mansion Blarney House.
Cobh
There is a regular, cheap rail service to the pretty old port town of Cobh (once known as Queenstown). It will probably always be known as the last place the Titanic called at before it sank. The town rises steeply up a hill from the quay side and from above St Colman's Cathedral appears to float on the water. There is a Tourist Office and Arts Centre in the old yacht club building. Part of the Train Station is now Cobh Heritage Centre. The 19th century Scottish Prebyterian church houses Cobh Museum. Cork's port is now Ringnaskiddy on the opposite bank of Cork Harbour
West side of Cork Harbour
This is an area of rolling hills overlooking Cork Harbour popular with yaughting enthusiasts. Carrigaline is small town growing fast as a commuter town to Cork City. Crosshaven is home to the world's oldest Yacht Club the 'Royal Cork' founded in 1720. Minor roads can be followed from here around the coast until the main West Cork coastal route is joined at Kinsale.
