Parking in Cork

Cork, the second largest city in Ireland, is one that is full of buzz, atmosphere and culture. Cork has a wide range of attractions dotted across the city including The Triskel Arts Centre, The Everyman Palace Theatre, the delightful English Market and of course, The Cork Opera House.

According to tradition Cork was founded by St Finbarr in the 7th century. He built an abbey there. Its name comes from the Gaelic Corcaigh, which means marshy place. During the Middle Ages Cork was a busy port and an important town. Animal hides and woolen cloth were exported from Cork and wine was imported. In the late 20th century the old manufacturing industries in Cork declined. The Ford factory closed in 1980. So did the Dunlop tyre factory. Shipbuilding in Cork also came to an end in the 1980s. Today other industries in Cork have grown exponentially including chemicals, brewing, distilling and food processing with hi tech firms such as Amazon moving into the new business parks. Cork is also a busy and important port. Tourism is also an important industry. Cork was the European City of Culture in 2005.

Whilst being Ireland’s second city, Cork is still considered as something of a hidden gem. Whilst it is a relatively small city is one that has a lot of charm. One of the most well known sites in Cork is the old English Market. The Market was created in 1788 by the Protestant or “English” corporation that controlled the city at that time. It was a new flagship municipal market located at the heart of the new commercial city centre. Shoppers visiting here can find everything from clothes to food to artisan locally made chocolate. Even if you don’t buy anything it is worth visiting just to see the archtiecture. Many of the worlds top musical artists, including Ed Sheeran, play concerts at the Páirc Uí Chaoimh GAA stadium. Back in the city centre the city hosts a number of high quality and varied restaurants to suit all tastes.

Parking with Q-Park in Cork provides a safe and secure facility for customers to leave their car in as they explore Cork from a central location.