Public art can be grand and featured, such as a sculpture or mural, or whimsical and unexpected, such as guerrilla knitting. We’ve heard about it, but now we have our very own examples in Cork City! Seen in front of the Cork Vision Centre – this googly-eyed creature.
Guerilla knitters usually plan ahead, creating a project then when on-site sewing it up to go around a tree, lamp post, sign, bench, public phone,… you get the idea.
Last week, Cork City was featured in 36 Hours in Cork, Ireland, a New York Times article written by Michael McDermott. Initially, I was thrilled to see Cork City receive such attention, but was a little disappointed in the article content. Though he mentioned a few favorites (St. Anne’s Shandon Bells, Franciscan Well, The English Market, Sin E, Fitzgerald Park, Crawford Gallery, and The Pavilion), so many others were missing. Understandable since the New York Times is a print newspaper so if this ran in their Sunday travel section space would have been limited. Thankfully, blogs don’t have the same limitations so I have been inspired to post more travel itineraries from now on.
Before starting on that, I want to warn anyone who read Mr. McDermott’s article that there is one thing to be aware of – Church of St. Anne Shandon is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Easter through November (10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. November through Easter) and strongly encourages visitors to enter at least 30 minutes prior to closing for the full experience (ringing the bells then climbing up to the top of the bell tower for a stunning view). Arriving at 4:30 p.m. as the NYT article suggests may leave you being turned away in winter or rushed for time.
More travel ideas and itineraries coming at regular intervals!
Today, tomorrow, and Sunday in Cork City, you can enjoy the All American Music Weekend to celebrate America’s Independence Day. For those of us who are away from the States for this special holiday, it is fun to have it celebrated in our adopted home, Cork City. Included in this post are photos – one of the banners near Washington Street (home base for the fun) and one of a schedule of the 31 musical events on offer.
Arriving into Cork usually means you are either in a plane, train, bus, or car, or ferry.
Plane via Cork (ORK) or Kerry (KIR)
If you are flying, you will be happy to know there are many airlines serving Cork International Airport (ORK). Cork (ORK) is a convenient spot for many flights within the European Union. Ryan Air, Aer Lingus, Aer Arann, Wizz Air, BMI Baby, Air Southwest, and Jet2 all serve ORK. ORK’s Scheduled Flight Destinations List includes the airlines serving each destination and the seasons when these flights are available. Each airline tends to have slightly different baggage and fare rules so be sure to read the fine print. One thing to be aware of when booking your itinerary is that ORK has —but does not use— jetways (the enclosed bridge-like walkway between the airport terminal gate and the plane). To board or exit an aircraft at ORK, passengers go down stairs to the tarmac then up the stairs into the plane. I know a few Americans with mobility issues who choose to fly into Shannon Airport because they cannot safely and comfortably navigate stairs. Evidently, it is a cost issue that keeps the jetways from being used since ORK charges airlines for use of the jetways (based on time used, according to a 2004 article in the Echo).
Once you get into the airport itself, it is easy to navigate to the taxis, buses, or rental car companies.
Taxis are queued up in front and rarely is there a wait to get one. It is handy to have your address written down because the Cork accent is known for its thick charm. Depending on the day/time (surcharges for taxis on Sundays, click here for a post about taxi/hackney fees in Ireland), your trip to Cork City Centre can run you €15 to €20.
Buses include SkyLink and Bus Eireann. SkyLink travels between Cork City Centre and Cork International Airport every day of the year, except Christmas Day and tickets are under €4 each way. There is usually one every 30 minutes and it is only about 15 minutes drive between the two. It has two routes so choose the one that brings you closer to where you want to end up and remember that all SkyLink coaches run on a constant loop from ORK so if you miss one, there will be another. Best part is that you can ask to be let on or off the bus at any City Centre SkyLink stop (noted on the route details online). Bus Eireann serves all of Ireland’s major airports with #226 and #249 between ORK and Cork City, #249 between ORK and Kinsale, #16 and #51 between Shannon Airport and Cork City, #40 between Kerry Airport and Cork City, and numerous buses serving Dublin Airport, Ireland West (Knock), and Kerry Airport.
Rental Car companies include some familiar names as well some regional ones. Keep in mind that there is a €25 charge per rental from the airport. Companies at ORK include:353, Argus, Avis, Budget, Dan Dooley, Dollar, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, Irish Car, National/Alamo, Sixt, and Thrifty. There is only one car rental company in Cork City Centre, Great Island Car Rental on McCurtain Street, even though several places list ‘Cork City’ as locations they are still located outside downtown, like Thrifty and Dollarwhich are located one mile away in Farmer’s Cross or Argus which is in Wilton.
ORK has a rather large duty-free shop for when you depart. If you are flying to another EU destination, duty-free prices do not apply, but if you are flying to the States or outside the EU it is worth picking up some Guinness (half-litre cans of the good stuff), Jameson, or Bailey’s. If you are making more than one transfer on your return trip, liquid restrictions will get in the way of your options, but most European airports have duty-free shops within the security area so you can pick up goodies when transferring flights.
Kerry Airport (KIR) is located about 100 kilometers northwest of Cork International Airport (ORK). If you are flying into Kerry Airport, but want to end up on a Brittany Ferry or wish to visit Fota or Cobh, you will want to take Bus Eireann #40 between Kerry Airport and Cork City. From there, for the ferries take Bus #223 or for the Irish Rail to Fota or Cobh take Bus #205 from Patrick Street to Kent Station.
Train
The Cork City train station is near the heart of the city. Irish Rail serves passengers with routes to/from Dublin, Mallow, Cobh, Fota, Limerick, and beyond. Buses seem to be more popular, because of the cost of ticket prices perhaps. The train is ideal for going to Cobh or Fota. The #205 bus connects Kent Station with Patrick Street and Cork Institute of Technology (CIT). Bus Eireann and Iarnród Eireann team up to offer the Explorer Ticket for those wishing to wander the Republic by rail and road.
Bus
Cork City is served by Bus Eireann, SkyLink, and CityLink. Bus Eireann offers Tourist Travel Passes if you will be traveling the countryside. The main bus hub is at Parnell Street in the centre of Cork City. You are within walking distance of several of the city’s hotels or can easily take a bus to your final destination, such as Killarney, Ennis, Kinsale, and so on. City buses stop across the street next to Merchant’s Quay Shopping Centre so you can hop a more local bus to Blarney or UCC. Timetables are available for all routes and there seems to be a discount for tickets purchased online. Expressway Services are those bringing you around the country, like to Dublin, Tralee, Killarney, Shannon (including #51 to/from Shannon Airport), Waterford, Limerick, Sligo, and more. Local/Rural/Commuter buses serve the suburbs and nearby towns. City/Town routes are those staying within city limits and tend to be the least expensive tickets (they also usually work with a day pass).
SkyLink travels between Cork City Centre and Cork International Airport every day of the year, except Christmas Day and tickets are under €4 each way. There is usually one every 30 minutes and it is only about 15 minutes drive between the two. It has two routes so choose the one that brings you closer to where you want to end up and remember that all SkyLink coaches run on a constant loop from ORK so if you miss one, there will be another. Best part is that you can ask to be let on or off the bus at any City Centre SkyLink stop (noted on the route details online). CityLink offers service between Galway-Dublin-Dublin Airport, Galway-Shannon Airport, Galway-Clifden, Galway-Limerick-Cork, Galway-Limerick, and Limerick-Cork.
Car
Driving in Cork is not as intimidating as driving in Dublin (I’ve done both). Just remember to keep left, watch traffic patterns because one-way streets are popular, and be respectful in terms of yielding in traffic circles. Maps are readily available online and in the Cork Vision Centre, ORK, and other tourism offices. The city itself is very walkable so whenever possible, park your car and explore on foot.
Parking requires payment on streets except at night and on Sundays so watch for signs. There are several public parking garages in the city. The lowest public garage hourly rate is the garage on North Main, but with its early closing time rely on it only for daytime parking needs. For overnight parking, I’ve found Q-Park on Grand Parade to be the best bargain since it’s €5 for 5:00 p.m. to 9 a.m. (overnight) or €3 for 6:00 p.m. to midnight (evening out). Keep in mind, not all garages are open seven days a week or have exits that are open in the middle of the night so be sure your need to access your vehicle matches with the available hours of the garage you choose.
Ferry
Cork Harbour is one of the four largest natural harbors in the world (along with Sydney, Halifax, and Poole). Brittany Ferries offers transport to/from Cork at the Ringaskiddy Terminal. Bus #223 travels between Cork Bus Station and Ringaskiddy.
Lately, the weather has been so beautiful it is hard to resist going for runs and walks. I had made a habit of listening to audio books — but it is much simpler to go out with an iPod Shuffle than an iPhone or iPod, even the Nano — so I switched to music playlists which work better on the Shuffle. Of course, the varied genres keep me motivated and guessing – until Cat Stevens comes on and makes me want to lie in the grass in Fitzgerald Park and gaze at the clouds floating by.
Here are some of the songs on my playlist – they work well for a pace of three to four miles per hour (3-4 MPH):
Waterloo ABBA
You Shook Me All Night Long AC/DC
Got a Backbeat American Steel
Sugar Sugar The Archies
Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured Arctic Monkeys
C’est La Vie B*witched
The Old Apartment Barenaked Ladies
Body Movin Remix The Beastie Boys
Yellow Submarine The Beatles
Saturday Night Fever Bee Gees
Let’s Get It Started Black Eyed Peas
The Ave Blue Scholars
Hook Blues Traveler
Stir It Up Bob Marley & The Wailers
Cannonball The Breeders
The Wind Cat Stevens
You Never Can Tell Chuck Berry
The Stroll Chuck Willis
Viva la Vida Coldplay
Just My Imagination The Cranberries
Bad Day Daniel Powter
Ants Marching Dave Matthews Band
I Think I Love You David Cassidy & The Partridge Family
Photobooth Death Cab for Cutie
Big Country Down By Law
Come Go With Me The Del Vikings
Veronica Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Slung-Lo Erin McKeown
Santa Monica Everclear
You’re an Ocean Fastball
One Two Three Four Feist
Take Me Out Franz Ferdinand
Running Fred
Crazy Gnarls Barkley
Clint Eastwood GorillaZ
Lukey’s Boat Great Big Sea with The Chieftains
If Everyone Looked The Same Groove Armada
Have I the Right The Honeycombs
Get In or Get Out Hot Hot Heat
Jump Around House of Pain
Here Comes The Hotstepper Ini Kamoze
Sitting, Waiting, Wishing Jack Johnson
Sit Down James
I’m Yours Jason Mraz
If You Wanna Be Happy Jimmy Soul
What A Wonderful World Joey Ramone
Authority Song John Mellencamp
Long May You Reign John Shelly and the Creatures
Amazing Josh Kelley
Pink Lemonade Jump, Little Children
Boogie Shoes K.C. and the Sunshine Band
Gold Digger Kanye West Feat. Jamie Foxx
Everybody’s Changing Keane
Sex On Fire Kings Of Leon
Charmed Life Leigh Nash Of Sixpence None The Richer
Can’t Help Falling In Love Lick the Tins
Baller, Shot Caller Lil’ Troy
LDN Lily Allen
Astronaut Luna
Paper Planes M.I.A.
Beggin’ Madcon
Me & Julio Down By the Schoolyard Me First & the Gimmies
Listener Supported Michael Franti & Spearhead
Float On Modest Mouse
Sweet Caroline Neil Diamond
Country Grammar Nelly
Turn Off The Lights Nelly Furtado
Pink Moon Nick Drake
Get Over It Ok Go
Via Con Me Paolo Conte
Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes Paul Simon
Graceland Paul Simon
Video Killed the Radio Star The Presidents of the United States of America
Time Bomb Rancid
Fidelity Regina Spektor
Stand REM
The Seed The Roots
Escape Rupert Holmes
Cupid Sam Cooke
Get Busy Sean Paul
So Says I The Shins
Cecilia Simon and Garfunkel
Annie Slàinte Mhath
Diggin’ Your Scene Smash Mouth
Ball And Chain Social Distortion
Modern Nature Sondre Lerche
Home For A Rest Spirit Of The West
Last Nite The Strokes
My Girl Josephine Super Cat
Build Me Up ButterCup Baby The Tempations
Birdhouse In Your Soul They Might Be Giants
Campus Vampire Weekend
Ice Ice Baby Vanilla Ice
Vaxxine Visqueen
Surf Wax America Weezer
New Soul Yael Naïm
Gold Lion Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Don’t Stay Home 311
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