City Access, Parking, and Tourism Tips

Visiting Cork this Christmas?

It's Great to See You!

View an interactive Map of the Corkmas scene HERE, and see below for tips on transport, parking, shopping and tourism

Road Closures

ROAD CLOSURES

 Friday 15th from 18:00 to 19:00

Roads will open when safe to allow access, which could be in advance of advertised time.

  • North Main Street from the junction of Lavit’s Quay to the Washington Street junction.
  • Adjacent streets including Adelade Street, Kyle Street, Liberty Street, Castle Street and Augustine Street.

Traffic diversions will be put in place to facilitate this road closure, as follows:

  • Parliament Bridge: all traffic will be diverted right onto South Mall. There will be no left turn from Parliament Bridge onto Grand Parade for the duration of the closure. 

 Friday 15th from 18:00 to 19:30

Roads will open when safe to allow access, which could be in advance of advertised time.

  • St Patrick’s Street from the junction of Washington Street/Grand Parade to the top of St Patrick’s Street.
  • Perry Street from the junction of Lavit’s Quay
  • Half Moon Street from the junction of Lavit’s Quay (Taxi access only)
  • Academy Street
  • Emmet Place and Drawbridge Street

To facilitate the Parade, the following rolling closures will take place for the duration of the parade passing and will result in traffic delays. The streets affected by rolling closures include:

  • Washington Street East Bound Lane from North Main Street to Grand Parade.
  • Lavit’s Street/Merchant’s Quay Junction onto Patrick’s Bridge,
  • Camden Quay junction onto Bridge Street,
  • Coburg Street
  • McCurtain Street up to the junction of Summerhill North.

 PARKING RESTRICTIONS

  • Friday 15th November 15:00 to 19:00

North Main Street, St Patrick’s Street, McCurtain Street.

 

Parking and Park & Ride Service

Paul Street and North Main Street Multi-Storey Car Parks

As with previous years, North Main Street and Paul Street car parks will open early on Sunday mornings in advance of the Christmas period.

Paul Street           

Open at 9.00 - Sunday 17th & 24th NOVEMBER

Open at 7.30 - Sunday 1st ,8th ,15th & 22nd December

Early close - 18.30 Christmas Eve

Closed - Closed Christmas Day, Stephen’s Day & New Year’s Day

Early close - 18.30  New Year's Eve

Open 07.30 - 2nd January, 2025.

Normal 11.30 Sunday opening hours resume on 5th January, 2025

Normal Charges Apply

North Main Street

  • Open at 9.00 - 10th,17th, & 24th November
  • Open at 07.30 - 1st , 8th, 15th & 22nd December
  • Early close at 18.30 -Christmas Eve
  • Closed Christmas Day, Stephen's Day, New Year's Day
  • Early close  18.30 New Years Eve.
  • Open 07.30- 2nd January 2025.
  • Normal 11.30 Sunday hours will resume on the 6th January 2025.

Normal Charges Apply

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These Car Parks operated by Cork City Council

 

Park & Ride
Up to & Including

17TH  DECEMBER FROM 11:00 TO20:30

Extension of opening hours to 22:00 Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening beginning on Thursday 23rd of November up to and including 23rd December 2024.

 Early close on Christmas Eve at 18:30

Closed Christmas Day, Stephen’s Day & New Year’s Day

Normal operating hours resume on 2nd Jan, 2025.

Normal Charges Apply

 

Park & Ride, Kinsale Road

 

Temporary Park & Ride – County Hall

 

BusEireannLogoBatchOpt_500x300

Park & Ride service provided by Bus Eireann

Corkmas 2024 Spin & Win Promotion

Spin and Win

Cork City Council, in partnership with Cork Airport and Cork’s Red FM, is delighted to launch this year’s ‘Corkmas- Let the magic unfold 12 Days of Giveaways’ airport campaign. Featuring a roulette wheel, the campaign aims to encourage visitors of  Cork to explore the city and support local business this Christmas, while shopping sustainably.

How it works:

Once a day over 12 days, a Red Patroller will handpick an incoming airline passenger at Cork Airport, who will be invited to spin the ‘Corkmas’ roulette wheel in the arrivals hall. Each passenger will be invited to spin the wheel  to win an exclusive prize - supplied by local retail and hospitality businesses. RedFM will also be encouraging people to support local as part of the campaign. 

 

The overall ‘Corkmas’ marketing campaign seeks to encourage people to visit local shops, restaurants, hotels, bars, many of the city’s markets and makers, and enjoy cultural activities such as the choice of pantomimes at the Everyman and at Cork Opera House.

Cork City Buildings Light Red for Christmas

It's become an annual spectacle across the city - notable buildings & structures light up in red for the holiday season. See a list of all participating structures here and a selection of images in our photo album below.

All images - Credit: Darragh Kane

https://publications.corkcity.ie/view/1046973277/

Explore Cork City

Cork City is a compact, bustling, walkable city. 

The landscape offers the visitor a chance to wander, explore & enjoy the relaxed pace, the independent cafes, and a wealth of dining options to refuel & relax. Cork’s artisan food and drink options suit every palate and occasion from simple snacks to gourmet feasts.

Take a break while shopping by visiting the Crawford Art Gallery (they have a gift shop and a restaurant too), or stay late to take in a show or a gig (see our events listings). This city contains a thriving menu of cultural, musical and arts options. 

Stay a while longer - make a weekend of it! Cork offers visitors a wide range of attractions, activities and experiences from the kayaking under the bridges of the River Lee to stepping back in time at the 17th century Elizabeth Fort. Tour our Street Art with a map & guide on your phone at www.ardu.ie or burn off those mince pies with the locals at a 5k Parkrun on Saturdays. 

To find out more about what to see, do and enjoy while you’re in Cork, including accommodation links, visit www.corkcity.ie/en/things-to-do or www.purecork.ie 

 

Victorian-Quarter

  

Video: Cork City Christmas Lights by Cork Civil Defence