A food lovers paradise
Student Life
City Life
Sports
Weather
Getting to Cork
Student Nightlife
Weekend Getaways

Cork, the foodie capital of Ireland’s south

If you choose to study in Cork, you’ll be based in a charming city and county in the south of Ireland, with lots of history and heritage plus a long coastline full of bays and islands to explore. You’ll eat well too – the county has many artisan food producers and is considered Ireland’s food capital.

The Republic of Ireland’s second largest city, with a population of around 210,000, has everything you’d expect from a city but with a relaxed vibe. Cork is set on an island on the River Lee and is easy to get around on foot. There is a thriving program of festivals and events too, with the famous Cork Jazz Festival taking over the city each October.

Cork, the foodie capital of Ireland’s south

“If you’re like me and need a break from studying, there is tons to do in Cork. You can choose between finding a bar with unbelievable live music, to roaming the English Market for tasty treats. The city has a lot to offer and the locals are very warm and friendly.”

Rohil Dureja, United States,
Physiotherapy student at University College Cork.

Student life in Cork

University College Cork (UCC) was founded back in 1845 and is now a dynamic university with 22,000 students, and is an important part of the city. The gorgeous 42-acre campus beside the River Lee has a mix of historic buildings and modern architecture, plus lots of green spaces to enjoy. The campus is a 15-minute walk to the city center.

4,000 of students and one third of staff at UCC are international, from more than 100 countries. There’s a welcome program for international students, with tours, orientation events, and a ‘Fáilte Fest’ (welcome festival) to help students ease into university life.

Student life in Cork

“Moving to Ireland was one of the best decisions I have ever made, both academically and personally. I was in my first year of university at the University of Regina when I applied to UCC through Atlantic Bridge. It was quite daunting to be faced with the idea of not just moving away from home for the first time, but moving to a different continent.”

Cameron Kreuger, Canada,
Medical student at University College Cork.

City life

Ireland’s most southerly city has an independent spirit and a healthy rivalry with the capital Dublin – earning it the nickname ‘the People’s Republic of Cork’ or the ‘Real Capital’.

For history, the Cork Butter Museum tells the story of the city’s butter exchange which opened in 1770, while Cork City Gaol give an idea of 19th-century prison conditions. You can climb the tower of the landmark St Anne’s Church Shandon which built in 1722, or admire the gothic spires of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral. The Crawford Gallery dates back to 1724 and has some impressive collections – the café there is also well worth a visit.

For food, the English Market, a covered market which was started in 1610, has all sorts of treats from fresh fish, meat and vegetables to preserves, cakes and chocolate. There’s lots of other shopping too, especially around St Patrick’s Street. For fashion, there are department stores and the popular high street chains, plus boutiques and vintage shops, especially around the pedestrianized alleyways.

City life

“Living in Ireland is quite similar to living in North America. I have lived in student residency to date and have enjoyed it. One suggestion I would give is to invest in a good pair of walking shoes, as you will be doing a lot of walking, from grocery stores, to classes on campus and in the hospitals. Ireland is a very friendly, peaceful country with an amazing view to go along with it. I am so lucky to get to not only live in a beautiful country but to also be gaining my medical education.”

Juliane Markewich, Canada,
Medical student at University College Cork.

Sports, clubs and societies

UCC has 53 different clubs – with sports ranging from athletics, soccer and hockey to equestrian and fencing. There’s judo, karate and kung fu, or you could join the trampoline, ultimate frisbee and skydiving clubs. There’s around 104 societies, ranging from choral and comedy to The Simpsons or Harry Potter, and medical societies include Alzheimer’s, surgical and cancer.

Sport is big part of life at UCC and facilities are excellent. The Mardyke Arena has a 25m swimming pool, three sports halls, two squash courts, a gym, climbing wall, dance studios, plus outdoor GAA (Gaelic games), soccer, hockey and rugby pitches.

Sports, clubs and societies

“The UCC Dental Society (or DentSoc) is responsible for planning social, academic and sporting events for dental students… and they do not disappoint. Every year there is a Dental Ball, which is honestly the funnest night of the year. I even had one of my friends from Canada come over for it last year and she’s dying to come back again!

Dorothea Sarrouf, Canada,
Dental student at University College Cork.

Weather in the south of Ireland

As Ireland has a mild climate, it does not have extreme cold in winter or extreme heat during summer. Thanks to Cork’s location in the south of Ireland, away from Atlantic extremes, there is less rainfall than other areas, with around 73 days of ‘heavy rain’ a year. However weather can be changeable – sunny one minute and rainy the next (the weather is a frequent topic of conversation), so it’s good to be prepared for rain or cooler temperatures. Bring warm layers and a waterproof layer for outdoor activities.

The hottest month in Cork is July, when temperatures average around 60°F and the maximum would usually be 65°F. The coldest month is February, when temperatures average around 43°F, with minimums of around 39°F and a maximum of 47°F.

Getting to Cork and around

Cork airport has direct flights to many European cities like London, Amsterdam and Paris, ideal for weekend breaks. The airport is around 6.5km from UCC and 7.5km from the city center and the journey takes around 10 to 20 min by car or taxi. There are also buses from the city center to the airport.

The nearest other airports for international flights are Shannon Airport, 123km (around two hours’ drive) and Dublin Airport, 264 km (around three hours’ drive). Operators like Aircoach and GoBus run services from Dublin Airport to Cork.

UCC is 1km from the city center. The 205 bus goes straight to campus and the city also has a bike-sharing scheme.

Student nightlife

Pubs in the city are full of character and there are all types, from the old pubs with live traditional music sessions, to modern bars with DJs or late-night music venues with student nights – check out Havana Brown’s or Cyprus Avenue. There’s also plenty of culture with Cork Opera House, theatres like the Everyman Theatre, art galleries and cinemas.

Student nightlife

“The nightlife is always buzzing, especially on the weekends. You have such a good time and it’s a lot about the people around you, and people in Ireland love their nightlife. Students have house parties or go out to bars and clubs. Some of the best times I’ve had are when people go out and celebrate after finishing exams.”

Maha Irfan, Canada,
Medical student at University College Cork.

 

Weekend getaways

Cork is Ireland’s largest county and there is lots to explore. The county has more than 1,000km of coastline and you can go hillwalking or mountainbiking, sailing, horseback riding, sea swimming or night kayaking. The town of Cobh was once a main emigration port and was the last stop of The Titanic, or visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous Blarney Stone and get the ‘gift of the gab’ (eloquence).

In West Cork, the Gulf Stream climate has created lush areas known for gardens, food producers and artists. The Mizen Head, Sheep’s Head and Beara peninsulas have scenic drives, while villages and towns like Clonakilty, Schull and Baltimore are ideal for restaurants, galleries and craft shops. You can also take ferries to islands like Cape Clear or Sherkin Island.

If you choose to study in Cork, you’ll be based in a lively city known for its food and festivals, where the University campus is at the heart of city life. You’ll have lots of beautiful scenery to explore in Cork and Kerry, as well as the start of the Wild Atlantic Way.

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