Cork

Cork (Corcaigh) is the Republic of Ireland's second largest city, situated on the banks of the River Lee in the south of County Cork. This was originally a port town built on canals and river channels, but those have long since been filled in. The city is more laid-back than Dublin, and has a large artistic community, with music, dance, theater, and visual arts in abundance.

The gay scene is small but tight-knit, and the divisions and cliques of larger cities are absent here, with ages and genders mixing more freely. It's been a more old-fashioned, less "out" gay community with an underground, tucked-out-of-sight feel.

The Other Place offers community resources and a comfortable meeting area to relax, at the center just off Patrick Street, at 8 S Main St. Their Cafe offers hot and cold snacks 5 days a week, space for up to 60 people to gather, and artist exhibitions.

The popular Alternative Miss Ireland pageant takes place in February. Contestants “must be special and their allure must be of a rarer sort," says the promoter. Cork Gay Pride spans a week as May slides into June each year.

The Cork Film Festival an annual showcase of world cinema as well as Irish films, takes place this year November 6-13, 2011.

 

Getting here

Cork Airport is about 3 miles south of Cork City. It has daily flights from Dublin, London, Manchester, and many European cities.

 

Getting around

Because County Cork has such an allure, you’ll want to rent a car to explore the scenic countryside. To travel anywhere in Ireland by bus or coach see the website of Bus Eireann

 

Currency and Money

Ireland’s currency is the euro. ATMs are common in the downtown area.

 

Local Media

Gay Cork has plenty of information about the local scene. Also check out the People’s Republic of Cork.

The Cork Gay Project is an umbrella group of local gay organizations.

For general tourist information see the websites of ComeToCork and CorkGuide. For an alternative website, see the People's Republic of Cork.
 

 

Nightlife

Chambers Bar (Washington St, across from Courthouse) Wed-Sun nights, popular club, nightly entertainment, dancing to a wide variety of music, and drag shows. On Wednesdays the original Sinners gay student party goes late here.

Freakscene at Gordy's/G2 (Oliver Plunket St) is a Wednesday alternative and gay-friendly club night getting started around midnight. There are two distinct dance areas, one with indie/alternative, the other playing soul, funk, motown, and R&B.

Loafers (26 Douglas St), Ireland's oldest gay pub, with mix of "the lads and the ladies," DJ music, two pool tables, a heated beer garden, and major events on their big screen.

The Other Place (8 S Main St), late cafe and bar run by the Gay Community Center, hot and cold snacks five days of the week and special-event weekend club nights.

The Roundy Bar (1 Castle St), lively pub in old building, for morning coffee, trendy mixed-crowd nights, many speciality beers, and a broad range of music from all kinds of fine local musicians.

Ruby's Nightclub, Fridays on Hanover Street (you can't miss it), the biggest gay dance event in town for an 18-plus, mostly male crowd.

 

Saunas & Shopping

Cork Sauna (36 Lower John St) hard-to-find local tubs, quite popular despite the minimal creature comforts.

Mykonos Sauna (40 MacCurtin St) new downtown gay sauna, slippers & robes with towels, poppers, beverages, free condoms & lube, WiFi access.

Stitch or Switch at Chambers (Washington St), noon to 5pm, swap clothing, jewelry and accessories for cash or credit to spend at their nightclu. Also, regular or creative alterations done here, Monday through Friday.

 

Food

Down on the coast just to the south of Cork, the Bulman (Summercove, Kinsale; Thebulman.com) is a gay-friendly 200-year-old pub and Mediterranean/Asian restaurant. Their tables overlook a peaceful scene of the sea, and boats in the harbor.

Cafe Depeche (North Main St & Lancaster Quay) espresso bar has fine quality and selections of coffee, not previously available hereabouts.

Cafe Gusto (3 Washington St; & The Boardwalk, Lapps Quay,), Mediterranean cafe and coffeehouse, mezze, antipasto, tapas dishes, Moroccan lamb tagine, albondigas (meatballs), great soups, and (byob) your own favorite bottle of wine or choose from their list.

Cafe Paradiso (16 Lancaster Quay) vegetarian restaurant has a lively atmosphere, and food to tempt even the most skeptical of meat-eaters.

The Liberty Grill (32 Washington St) near the courthouse, serves breakfast, brunch and lunch from 8am to 5pm, plus evening meals, American and International style, until 9pm.

The Other Place Cafe (8 S Main St) serves a healthy selection of soup, panini, wraps, crepes, and beverages, with free internet access for customers.

Quay Co-op (26 Sullivan's Quay), workers' cooperative vegetarian/vegan restaurant, oft cited as Cork's best. Wide variety of meals, snacks to three-course, organic wines; also breakfast 9-noon. Organic and whole-food store/bakery sells supplements, herbal remedies, and essential oils.

 

Accommodations

Emerson House (2 Clarence Terrace), year-round bed and breakfast not far from the train station, with en suite rooms and wi-fi internet access from 40 euros/person (sharing).

Clarion Hotel (Lapps Quay) is a large modern hotel at city center, with 160 rooms and a gay-friendly bar called Kudos.

College View Apartments (6 College View Terrace) has furnished apartments by the night or for extended stays, with all amenities, near Univeristy College.

Gabriel's House (Summerhill North) beautiful period guesthouse near bus & train stations; single, twin, triple or family rooms, all en-suite with TV & internet, from 40 euros/person. Full breakfast & free parking.

Jury's Inn (Anderson's Quay) at the heart of Cork overlooking the River Lee, within walking distance of all major businesses, shops, restaurants, nightclubs, and cultural attractions.

Sheila's Hostel (4 Belgrave Pl, off Wellington) inexpensive dorm rooms from 10 euros/night, near bus & train stations, shops, pubs, restaurants; food, wine, free movies, internet, secure luggage.