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At 2,878 sq.
miles, Cork is the largest of Ireland’s
counties. In the most southern part of the
island, County Cork has a total population of a
little over 420,000 of which approximately
127,000 live in Cork City. The concentration of
such a large proportion of the population in Cork
City, contributes to large rural area of the
county being sparsely populated. The
scenery offers stunning beauty with swathing
glacial valleys and a dramatic rugged coastline.
The latter makes all forms of seafaring an ever
popular pastime. The oldest yacht club in the
world is based in Crosshaven, a pretty village in
Cork’s huge natural harbour.
Because of its
proximity to the Gulf Stream, the county has a
temperate climate which enhances the fertility of
the land. There are activities available of every
description which cater to a wide variety of
interests and budgets. One of the most popular is
simply walking amongst some of the most beautiful
scenery in Europe.
The principal
towns and cities of the county are:-
Bandon, Bantry,
Carrigaline, Clonakilty, Cobh, Cork City, Fermoy,
Kinsale, Mallow, Macroom, Midleton, Mitchelstown,
Skibbereen, Youghal.
Please see the
town guides for further information.
County Cork is
also a vibrant place to do business. A relatively
wealthy county, with new and well established
industries thriving in its friendly towns, the
"Celtic Tiger" has certainly visited
this county providing substantial growth during
the ‘90’s.
A brief overview of business and travel within
the county follows:-
The principal
activities of County Cork are agriculture and
forestry and agro-tourism is making increasing
inroads into traditional farming. The principal
towns also support a variety of industries
including tourism, engineering, chemical
production, food production, brewing and
shipping.
In general,
there is a comprehensive range of commercial
activity, with virtually every trade or
occupation imaginable being carried on.
The boom of the
1990’s has brought great prosperity to the
county and there are many business and employment
opportunities.
| Some
information sources worthy of note are |
Cork
County Enterprise Board
(assists in set-up advice and grant
applications) |
tel:
(353) (0) 21 895977 |
| Cork
Business Association |
tel:
(353) (0) 21 278295 |
| Cork
Business Innovation Centre |
tel:
(353) (0) 21 397711 |
| Enterprise
Link |
tel:(353) (0)1
850 353333 |
|
| Sources
of finance applicable to business start
up, development and acquisition, and
related agencies, are as follows |
| Credit Unions:
|
tel: (353) (0)1 490 8911
|
| National Irish Bank: |
tel: (353) (0)1 678 5066
|
| Ulster Bank (Small Business Unit):
|
tel: (353) (0)1 677 7623
|
| Bank of Ireland Enterprise Support Unit:
|
contact any branch
|
| Smurfit Job Creation Enterprise Fund
|
tel: (353) (0)1 478 4091
|
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The Dept. of
Enterprise, Trade and Employment:
TEL: (353) (0) 1 661 4444; www.irlgov.ie/entemp has
extensive and very helpful advice on all aspects
of business and employment in Ireland, including
a business start up information pack which is
superbly put together and includes everything
from planning, funding, locating, employing
people and development businesses. |
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| Travel
(see also town guides) |
County Cork is
well served by public transport. For timetables
and information contact:
|
Airports |
Aer Rianta,
Cork Airport |
tel: (353) (0)21 313131 |
| |
|
Bus |
| Bus Eireann, Parnell Place, Cork |
tel: (353) (0)21 808188 |
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|
Ferry Services |
| Brittany Ferries |
tel: (353) (0)21 277801 |
| Irish Ferries |
tel: (353) (0)1 610714 |
| Swansea Cork Ferry |
tel: (353) (0)21 271166 |
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|
Train |
| Iarnrod Eireann (Irish Rail) |
tel: (353) (0)21 506766 |
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|
Taxi Services |
| Cork Taxi Co-Op |
tel: (353) (0)21 272222 |
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| Tourism, Leisure and Accommodation |
| Please see town guides |
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photographs on this page © insight email pprice@indigo.ie
