LANGUAGE

English

CURRENCY

Pound Sterling

BEST TIME TO VISIT

March to May and September to November

NEAREST RAILWAY STATION

Kent Station Cork

NEAREST AIRPORT

Cork Airport (ORK)

EMERGENCY HELPLINE NUMBER

112

INTERNET ACCESS

Free wi-fi is available throughout the city centre’s main streets and public spaces, including the bus and train stations. Webworkhouse.com Internet cafe; also offers low-cost international phone calls.

VISA

Not required by most citizens of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada. If you’re a European Economic Area (EEA) national, you don’t need a visa to visit (or work in) either the Republic or Northern Ireland. Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the US can visit the Republic for up to three months, and Northern Ireland for up to six months. They are not allowed to work unless sponsored by an employer.

Full visa requirements for visiting the Republic are available online at www.dfa.ie; for Northern Ireland’s visa requirements see www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration.

To stay longer in the Republic, contact the local garda (police) station or the Garda National Immigration Bureau. To stay longer in Northern Ireland, contact the Home Office (www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration).

HOTEL

Cork is an easy city to travel around, although some of its main tourist attractions are a bit spread out. The English Market is a two-minute walk from the shops on St. Patrick’s Street, and Crawford Art Gallery is the same distance away, near North Channel. St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral is a few blocks south, across South Channel. There are plenty of things to do within an easy stroll of these highly-rated hotels in Cork:

Luxury Hotels: Hayfield Manor Hotel is near the university and walking distance from St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral and Fitzgerald Park, with an indoor pool, free Wi-Fi and parking, a spa, and superb service. On the river, not far from the cathedral and the English Market, The River Lee has comfortable, well-appointed rooms, as well as free Wi-Fi and parking.

Hayfield Manor Hotel

The River Lee

Mid-Range Hotels: On the river, not far from the cathedral, restaurants, and theaters, Lancaster Lodge is on a direct bus line to the train station. Ambassador Hotel & Health Club Cork has balconies overlooking the city from its hilltop setting, a 10-minute walk from the center.

Lancaster Lodge

Ambassador Hotel & Health Club

Budget Hotels: A few minutes’ walk from the center and especially handy to the Citylink bus from Dublin, The Metropole Hotel has a pool, gym, and steam room. Overlooking the city from across the river but less than 10 minutes’ walk from attractions, Maldron Hotel Cork has a leisure center with a large pool, Jacuzzi, steam room, and sauna.

The Metropole Hotel

Maldron Hotel

COST OF LIVING

Hotels €1/£1 per bag is standard; tip cleaning staff at your discretion.

Pubs Not expected unless table service is provided, then €1/£1 for a round of drinks.

Restaurants charge decent service 10%; up to 15% in more expensive places.

Taxis Tip 10% or round up fare to nearest euro/pound.

Toilet attendants Loose change; no more than €0.50/50p.