City Access, Shopping Promotions and Tourism

Visiting Cork this Christmas?

It's Great to See You!

See below some tips for transport, parking, shopping and tourism

Whether you live near the City centre or are planning a visit from further afield, please ensure you travel safely - and observe current Health & Safety guidelines

City Access - Parking, Park & Ride

Car Park Christmas opening hours, plus Park & Ride options
 
Paul Street Car Park
- Open at 9.00 on Sunday 20th & 27th November.
- Open at 7.30 on Sunday 4th, 11th & 18th December.
- Early close at 18.30 on Christmas Eve.
- Closed Christmas Day, Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day.
- Early close at 18.30 on New Years Eve.
- Open at 07.30 on 2nd January, 2023.
- Normal 11.30 Sunday opening hours will resume on 8th January, 2023
 
North Main Street Car Park
- Open at 9.00 on Sunday 20th & 27th November.
- Open at 07.30 on 4th, 11th & 18th December.
- Early close at 18.30 on Christmas Eve
- Closed Christmas Day, Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day.
- Early close at 18.30 on New Years Eve
- Open at 07.30 on 2nd January, 2023.
- Normal 11.30 Sunday opening hours will resume on 8th January, 2023
 
Did you know - Park & Ride costs only €5?
This covers your car parking on site, plus return bus fare for all car occupants
  
Park & Ride, Kinsale Road
- Extension of opening hours to 22:00 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from Thursday November 24th up to and including 23rd December, 2022
- Open Sundays beginning November, 20th up to and including December 18th from 11:00 to 20.30
- Early close on Christmas Eve at 18.30
- Closed Christmas Day, Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day.
- Normal operating hours resume on 2nd January 2023.
 
EXTRA - Temporary Park & Ride – County Hall 
- A temporary Park & Ride will operate for 5 weeks between County Hall and Sheares Street at weekends beginning Saturday, November 26th
- Saturday, November 26th, December 3rd, 10th, 17th, from 09:30 to 20:30
- Sunday, November 20th & 27th, December 4th, 11th & 18th - the temporary Park and Ride will operate from 10:30 to 20:30
- Saturday, December 24th the temporary park and ride will operate from 9:30 to 18:00

Thank Cork It’s Christmas

‘Thank Cork Its Christmas’ is a campaign to support the city’s retail, food, hospitality, arts and cultural sectors, to encourage people to support local, to increase awareness of the safe and unique experience available to anyone visiting our city, and to welcome back family, friends and visitors.
 
Avail of the weatherproofed dining facilities at restaurants and bars on Princes Street and other parts of the city. Parasols, awnings, festoon lighting, windbreaks and purpose-built planters will provide a pleasant and safe dining experience for residents and visitors alike.
Spin and Win
As families and friends arrive from around the world to celebrate Christmas in Cork, Cork City Council is delighted to launch its annual ‘Thank Cork it’s Christmas Roulette Wheel’ campaign, running in conjunction  with Cork Airport and Cork’s Red FM.
The roulette wheel is part of the wider ‘Thank Cork its Christmas’ marketing campaign, which is aimed at encouraging people to spread some Christmas cheer by supporting local and supporting sustainable this Christmas. Whether that’s local shops, restaurants, hotels, bars, the ‘GLOW – A Cork Christmas Celebration’ in Bishop Lucey Park, the  city’s markets and makers, or cultural activities such as the choice of pantomimes at the Everyman and at Cork Opera House.
How it works:
Once a day, a Red Patroller will handpick an incoming airline passenger at Cork Airport, who will be invited to spin the ‘Thank Cork It’s Christmas’ roulette wheel in the arrivals concourse 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 Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Deirdre Forde encourages everyone “to support local and shop sustainably this festive season, as every €10 that is spent locally brings €50 to the local economy”.
“Christmas is all about traditions and moments to be remembered, and that’s why there is nothing like shopping and visiting Cork at Christmas time – whether you live here year around or are driving or flying home for Christmas. We all have our favourite shops and restaurants at this time of the year and then there’s the excitement of wandering through the ‘Glow – a Christmas Celebration’ at Bishop Lucey Park, hopping on the ferris wheel, picking up treats at the English Market or the other various festive markets, or supporting the arts community at a performance or another cultural event. These uniquely Cork experiences make up our collective Christmas and are there to be enjoyed and supported, “ she said.
 
Cork Airport Communications Manager, Barry Holland said: “This Christmas, Cork Airport is delighted to work with Cork City Council as we welcome our passengers home for Christmas. Christmas time is a very special time at Cork Airport, where families, friends and loved ones reunite ahead of the Christmas festivities. In paraphrasing our tagline, we know how much our passengers “Love touching down” at Cork Airport and we would like to thank Cork City Council for making that welcome home even more special with the Cork City Council Christmas Thank Cork it’s Christmas Roulette Wheel event in the Arrivals area”.

Tourism Information

City Highlights and trips further afield - explore Irelands Ancient East 
As part of Ireland’s Ancient East, Cork City offers visitors history, heritage and landmarks accompanied by artisan food and drink and a strong cultural, musical and artistic vibe.  To find out more to see, do and enjoy while you’re in Cork visit www.discoverireland.ie , www.corkcity.ie/en/things-to-do/ or www.purecork.ie