Affectionately nicknamed the “real capital” by its residents, Cork City has a wealth of amazing things to do and see. However, between a lack of green space and poor public transport, there are certain things that hold Cork back from being the best city in Ireland.
Cork City is one of the top destinations in Ireland for tourists, both national and international. With its compact size and friendly people, there’s plenty to praise in the ‘Rebel County’.
However, every rose has its thorns. Here are the ten things holding Cork back from being the best city in Ireland.
10. Lack of city centre green space − few places to sit outside on your lunch break
While Cork City has several parks dotted on the outskirts, the only green space that sits comfortably in the city centre is Bishop Lucey Park, located between Grand Parade and South Main Street.
Small, often covered in the shade and packed with pigeons, it doesn’t offer the most restful retreat from the bustle of city life on a summer’s day.
9. Poor late-night public transport − make sure you have mammy on speed dial
For such a busy city, Cork offers only two 24-hour bus services. This, coupled with a taxi shortage, can often feel like an impossibility to get home after a night out.
Save yourself the fuss and pre-book a taxi, or if all else fails, ring your parents and pray they love you even after a messy night in Reardens.
8. Unused docklands − a dingy space with so much potential
Drive eastbound into Cork City, and you’ll feast your eyes on the banks of the lovely Lee and less-than-lovely Port of Cork.
With derelict buildings such as the infamous Odlums factory, there is a wealth of real estate in the area that could be transformed into a neighbourhood bustling with life.
7. Lack of late-night cafes − somewhere sober to go at night
With a rise in sober curiosity, the city doesn’t offer many spaces to meet that aren’t fuelled by alcohol, which is definitely one of the things holding Cork back from being the best city in Ireland.
Sometimes all you want is to meet your friend for a coffee after work and not feel like you’ll be hurried out of the place just as it hits 5:30 pm.
6. Shops disappearing from the high street − online shopping isn’t everything
Cork City has become a veritable wasteland for purchasing clothing. With the closures of Topshop, Only Oasis and Debenhams in the last few years, Opera Lane and St Patrick’s Street have become ghost towns for women’s fashion.
Many Corkonians will bypass town altogether and hit Mahon Point instead, where retailers such as Zara, Bershka and Stradivarius breathe a bit of life into Cork’s shopping scene.
5. Little unconventional entertainment − we want crazy golf!
Being in the pub is fun, but sometimes there are only so many Beamish farts and ABBA mega mixes you can take.
With the Mardyke Entertainment Complex the only spot offering some quirky nightlife, there’s certainly space for more unconventional nights out in Cork.
4. Poor connections from Cork Airport to the city centre − just get a cab
With only two bus services that connect Cork City to the airport, it can feel like the journey is only beginning once you disembark the plane.
On top of this, the buses aren’t direct services and run only every thirty minutes on weekdays and every sixty minutes on Sundays and public holidays; another one of the things holding Cork back from being the best city in Ireland.
Save yourself time and hop in a taxi.
3. Lack of public toilets − it’s tiring scoping out every shopping centre bathroom
If the pandemic highlighted anything, it was the agony of having to hold it in while socialising outdoors with your friends.
As with many major cities in Ireland, Cork doesn’t offer many places with free public restrooms. If you’re lucky enough to stumble upon one, make sure it’s not out of service and that you have some change in your back pocket to get in.
2. Accessibility − fewer cars and more outdoor dining is good, up to a point
While the privatisation of roads such as Princes Street in order to facilitate outdoor dining has been a success, often it can be awkward to navigate through these tight spaces, especially for prams and wheelchair users.
This, coupled with St Patrick’s Street, Cork’s main thoroughfare, being closed to private cars in afternoons, means accessibility can prove to be difficult in the city centre.
1. Superiority complex − Cork people think they’re gods
While fellow Corkonians would agree that Cork is the best place in the country, perhaps our raging superiority complex is what holds us back from being the best place in Ireland.
Maybe by adjusting our inflated perception of ourselves, the rest of the country would take us more seriously.
