About Cork

To help you learn more about Cork and the surrounding area, we have compiled some useful facts and information.

Weather

• The weather in Ireland is very changeable. It is advisable to bring a rain jacket as it can rain at any moment. On the upside, it is rarely very cold.
• For a look at the weather in Ireland now, click here: http://www.met.ie.

News and TV

You can familiarise yourself with the current events in Ireland by visiting some of the many TV and newspaper internet pages. Here are a few examples:

Television

• RTE News Headlines
• TV3

Newspapers

• Irish Examiner
• The Irish Times
• Irish Independent Newspaper

Getting Here

• 
  Air: Cork International Airport has now opened its new terminal. The new development means that the airport will now have the capacity to serve 5 million passengers per year. New routes are constantly being added so keep an eye on the following website for updates: www.corkairport.ie.
• 
  Bus: the national bus company is called Bus Eireann and they operate both city buses and regional buses. Inside the city you can avail of weekly and monthly bus tickets that can be used to go to and from college. Here is their website: www.buseireann.ie.
• 
  Aircoach: Students can now avail of the excellent direct service from Dublin Airport which stops across the road from the College. A timetable is available on the following website: www.aircoach.ie.
• 
  Train: Trains connect many of the larger cities and towns in Ireland and this is a scenic way to travel. Tickets are available at the train station. Visit the following website for more information: www.irishrail.ie.

Electricity and Voltage

Ireland’s electrical mains run at 50-60 Hz and 220-240 volts. Power points (outlets) require 3-pronged plugs. For more information on this, go to the following website.

Communication

There are four main mobile phone companies in the country at the moment. O2, Vodafone, 3Ireland, E-mobile and Meteor all offer pay as you go SIM cards at a nominal fee, which usually includes a certain amount of credit. Each company also has special rates for calling outside of Ireland. Visit the websites below for details.

• www.o2.ie
• www.vodafone.ie
• www.meteor.ie
• www.3ireland.ie
• www.emobile.ie

Also available from many different companies are prepaid calling cards which can be used from a landline or a payphone and reduce the cost of calling abroad.

Art and Culture

There are many museums and cultural centres in every region of the country. There is a vibrant arts scene including regular events in the areas of music, theatre, dance, film and the visual arts. Below is a list of websites with information on locations and upcoming events.

• www.museum.ie
• www.irish-architecture.com
• www.everymanpalace.com
• www.corkoperahouse.ie