Student Life in Cork
Cork is a vibrant city and home to over 25,000 students during the academic year. It has the cosmopolitan culture and energy of a capital city, with none of the drawbacks. In Cork you will find all the facilities you would expect of a modern European city, yet you can still easily navigate your way to and around the city centre, bumping into friends along the way. Everything you need is within easy reach: cafés, restaurants, nightlife, cinemas, theatre, music venues, sports facilities and fantastic shopping.
The city is built around University College Cork (UCC), which remains one of the largest employers in the area. Because of the dominance of the University, Cork is very much a place for young people in the 17-25 age group, unlike Dublin where the Universities and their student populations are dwarfed by the large city and its workforce. UCC’s main campus is an easy 15 minute walk from the heart of the city centre.
UCC has a rich variety of activities for its students. The first port of call for a newcomer to the university is to check out the various UCC Clubs & Societies. With over 85 societies, there is something to suit every taste and pace; these range from arts and subject based societies to the perhaps more relaxed Hot Beverage Appreciation Society! UCC also boasts over 50 sports clubs, most of which are centred around the award winning Mardyke Arena.
A student’s stay in Cork will likely involve a sample of the city’s nightlife. Cork has a wide variety of pubs, clubs and music venues. Live music, from traditional and classical to heavy metal and experimental can be found in venues such as The Bowery, An Spailpín Fánach, The Bodega, Cyprus Avenue, The Cork Opera House, The Everyman Theatre and The Crane Lane. There are also many dedicated student nights at various venues around the city centre that are usually well advertised around campus.
For those unfamiliar with the city, The English Market, Cork City Gaol and St. Finbarr’s Cathedral are certainly worth a visit. The Glucksman Gallery, The Crawford Gallery and The Triskel Arts Centre will be of interest to the culture vultures amongst you. As well as exhibitions, The Triskel also shows more leftfield films and hosts a wide variety of concerts. But Cork City does not stand isolated from its surrounding county – the largest in Ireland. A daytrip to either the picturesque town of Cobh, the last port of call for the Titanic, or to Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone is a must, the busy market town of Midleton is home to the world-famous Jameson Distillery, spend an afternoon wandering around the narrow streets of the coastal town of Kinsale, the ‘Gourmet Capital of Ireland’, with the rugged beauty of its coastline, such as the remote Beara Peninsula, pristine beaches such as Inchydoney, Owenahincha and Barleycove, and picturesque towns and villages such as Skibbereen, Clonakilty, Baltimore, Union Hall, Glandore and Rosscarbery, a tour of West Cork may be the highlight of your stay.
If you choose to further your education in Cork, you certainly won’t be short of things to do and see in a city and region that was European Capital of Culture in 2005 and listed by the Lonely Planet Guide among the top ten cities to visit in 2010. Click here for the definitive Cork student guide.
And choosing College Accommodation Cork is the best student accommodation option for your stay in our beautiful city and county!