Cork, Co. Cork

Cork city is the second-largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the population in the city is approx. 220,000.  It is situated on the southern coast of Ireland approx. 253km south of Dublin.  Cork is the commercial capital of the south of Ireland and has a track record of attracting multinational/foreign direct investment.  Cork is home to global market leaders in pharmaceuticals, healthcare, information and communications technology, biotechnology, and professional and international financial services.  Many of the world’s largest corporate occupiers are located in the Cork region, including Apple, Amazon, Dell EMC, IBM, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, McAfee, Lilly, VM Ware, Marriott Group, Johnson & Johnson, Clearstream, Boston Scientific, Stryker, Pepsi, Gilead and Blizzard.

Cork is a vibrant city and is set to become the fastest-growing city in Ireland in the period up to 2040. It is also the strongest growing region for start-up businesses in Ireland and this is a critical factor in attracting corporate investment. It attracts and maintains an international workforce with a broad range of skills and languages. Organizations that support working in Cork are Enterprise Ireland, Cork Chamber, Cork Business Association and IBEC.

Cork offers a wide range of retail areas to include the city centre central business district, Mahon Point Shopping Centre and Retail Park, Douglas Village Shopping Centre, Douglas Court, Wilton Shopping Centre, Blackpool Shopping Centre, Turners Cross Retail Park, Caste West Shopping centre, Eastgate Retail Park, West City Retail Park and many more.

In the Cork residential market, locations such as Blackrock, Douglas, Bishopstown, Montenotte and Rochestown continue to be the prime sought-after locations. The newer expanding suburbs of Ballincollig, Glanmire and Carrigaline are also very attractive, particularly for first-time buyers. As well as being a university city, Cork is very well served when it comes to national and second-level education with a great choice of schools.

Over the last number of years, Cork has developed a number of large parklands around the city with very attractive walkways/greenways, including Blackrock amenity walkway, Tramore Valley Park, Ballincollig Regional Park and the Lee Fields on the banks of the river on the western side of the city and Marina Park in the city’s south docklands.

Cork is also noted as a food destination with many exciting cafés and restaurants in the city centre. Cork has a reputation for artisan food production and more recently for craft beers, gin and whiskey, some of which are worldwide names. The vibrant English Market is situated in the heart of the city and offers a wide range of artisan foods and fresh fish.  It has become a tourist attraction and has developed an international reputation while maintaining its attractiveness to Corkonians. Kinsale, famous for its harbour and gourmet restaurants, is just a 30-minute drive from the city and the many attractions of beautiful West Cork are also within easy driving distance.