The Basics
City Name: Cork
Where is it located?: Cork sits on Ireland’s south coast, in the western half of the country.
Why do people go there?: If you go wild on Saint Patty’s Day and claim to have the Luck of the Irish in ya, your ancestors probably boarded a boat in Cork to take them to the new country. Cork is a popular stop for those heading to or from their also-south neighbor, Waterford.
How do travelers get there?: Buses from Dublin or Galway are the best ways to get around, although your Eurail pass will work too.
Currency: Euro
City Code: 21
Population: 200,000
Languages: English, but they’ll curse at you in Irish
Travel Information
Neighborhoods: St.Patrick’s Street, St. Finbarr’s Cathedral, St. Anne’s Church
Attractions: Blarney Castle, Drombeg Stone Circle, The English Market
Accommodations: Cork Hostels, Cork Hotels
Tourist Office: See the Shannon Region Office: Shannon Region Tourism, Shannon Development Office, Town Centre, Shannon, Co. Clare, Telephone: +353 61 361555, Telephone: +353 61 361903, Web site: http://www.shannonregiontourism.ie/
Off-the-beaten-path: Cobh, Fota Wildlife Park, Kinsale Harbor
Health Issues: asthma, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis,
Tips for Visiting
When to go: Ireland is notoriously rainy, especially during the late winter and early spring. If you’re heading to Cork, take a rain coat year round. You’ll find July and August to be the warmest months, and the most crowded.
Common Phrases: Yes = Chodail, No = Nil, Please = Le do thoil
City Specific Events: St Patrick’s Festival every March, Cork International Choral Festival late April-May, The Cork Midsummer Festival every June, The Frank O’Connor International Short Story Festival every September, Cork Jazz Festival and Cork Film Festival every October
How to get around?: You can catch the bus when you’re tired of walking.
Good to know: Cork is sometimes considered as the true capital of Ireland.
Cheapest airport to fly into: The main airport for travelers taking flights to Cork is the Cork Airport
Need more information?: Check out the Cork travel guide for more on what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.
