Social Programme
The social programme will include a wine and cheese poster reception on Tuesday evening 16:30 –18.00 and the conference dinner on Wednesday evening at 19.00, with the cost of both covered by the registration fee. The conference dinner will be held in the Aula Maxima at University College Cork. You can see where the Aula Maxima is located on the main UCC campus on the maps below. Please aim to arrive for the conference dinner at 18.45 so that we can all be seated by 19.00.
WGB to Aula Maxima Downloadable Map Aula Maxima and Main Quandrangle Downloadable Map
There will be a football (soccer) match on Thursday evening at 19.30-21.30 - the location is shown here. It's really close to the conference venue and should not be too hard to find. There are changing rooms on-site. If you wish to play, please bring a black(-ish) shirt and a colourful one, so we would have a better way of distinguishing the teams once we have set those up before the match. We will provide some water, but feel free to bring your own bottles with water. If you don't feel like participating, there is a spectator stand from which you can watch the game instead.
Another option on Thursday night for the more adventurous is an International Folk Dance class taught by Denise (!). The class costs €5 and takes place at the Quaker Meeting House, which is a 32-35 minute walk from the Western Gateway Building. Contact Denise if you're interested in coming, and she'll let you know how to get there.
Wednesday afternoon will be free so that participants can take some time to explore Cork City and various nearby attractions. Here are some suggestions about things to see or places to visit on this free afternoon.
In Cork city:
The English Market in the heart of Cork City is one of the oldest markets in Cork. It is an impressive enclosed market area where lots of fresh local produce can be purchased, including meat, fish, fruit, vegetables and many locally produced and imported cheeses. Included in the City Centre Island Walk, very near the South Parish Walk and University Walk (see below).
Elizabeth Fort is steeped in history. In the 1690's, it came under attack during the siege of Cork. It later housed an army barracks, and a convict depot for transportation. It went on to house a Royal Irish Constabulary (Police) station, a food depot during the Great Famine and until recently, a Garda station. The walls of the fort have recently been opened to the public on a permanent basis. Included in the South Parish Walk (see below).
Fin Barre's on Bishop Street, a short walk from Cork City Centre and University College Cork, is a Church of Ireland Cathedral. Built in the 1870's, this Cathedral is named after Cork's patron saint, St Fin Barre, and the Cathedral is a fine example of Gothic Revival style architecture. Included in the South Parish Walk (see below).
Anne's Church Shandon in Cork City is where the Shandon Bells are found. If you climb the steeple you will have the opportunity to pick a tune and play it on the bells. Taking pride of place in Cork City's history, at the very top of St Anne's Church you will see the weather vane which is a golden fish and the steeple also was known as the Four Face Liar due to incorrect times being displayed on all of the four side. The steeple of St. Anne's Church was built with grey limestone on one side and the others were red limestone, in keeping with the Cork colours of Red and White! Included in the Shandon Walk (see below).
The Crawford Art Gallery is located in a significant heritage building in the heart of Cork city dedicated to the visual arts, both historic and contemporary. The gallery's collection comprises of over 3,000 works, ranging from eighteenth-century Irish and European painting and sculpture, through to contemporary video installations. The Crawford Art Gallery’s historic building provides an oasis of calm and tranquillity in the heart of Cork city. The gallery boasts an award-winning Café in stunning surroundings, serving fresh local produce for which Cork is famous. Included in the Shandon Walk (see below).
Fitzgerald's Park, which runs along the River Lee less than 10 minutes walk from the Western Gateway Building, has attractive landscaped gardens with flowers and colour throughout the year, and a number of outdoor pieces and sculptures. The Cork Public Museum, located in Fitzgerald's Park, has been displaying exhibits about Cork's History and more since 1910. It is well laid out in a new purpose built building that also has a cafe. Very near the University Walk (see below).
Cork City Walks
Information about four self-guided heritage walks in Cork City is given below, with estimated times indicated.
City Centre Island Walk (just under an hour)
Lee Fields Walk (variable)
You can get to the start of a pathway that runs to the west along the River Lee in under 10 minutes from the Western Gateway Building:
South Parish Walk (just over an hour)
https://www.corkcity.ie/en/media-folder/things-to-do/parks-and-outdoors/cork-city-centre-shandon-walk.pdf
Shandon Walk (just under an hour)You can walk along the Lee Fields pathway for several kilometers before turning back to return along the same route.
University Walk (about an hour and a half)
Nearby Cork city:
These destinations can be reached by train from the Cork Kent Train Station or by bus from the Cork Parnell Place Bus Station.
You can get to both the Cork Kent Train Station and the Cork Parnell Place Bus Station on the 208 bus. There is a 208 bus stop on Western Road opposite the Western Gateway Building; the 208 bus heading toward city centre stops there at 13.43, 13.53, 14.03, etc. (every 10 min).
To get to the Cork Kent Train Station
You should get off the 208 bus on MacCurtain Street, near Hillbilly’s Fried Chicken. It is then a ~10 min walk further along MacCurtain Street and up the Lower Glanmire Road to the Train Station (straight ahead at the traffic lights and then slightly uphill)
To get to the Cork Parnell Place Bus Station
You should get off the 208 bus at Patrick Street, after which it is a ~5 min walk to the Bus Station – just walk a very short distance to the end of Patrick Street and one block down to the right (dotted blue path on the map).
Bus fares within Cork City are €1.90 for an adult and €0.90 for a child.
Fota Arboretum and Gardens
Travel time is ~15 min by train from Cork Kent Train Station to Fota Train Station (a cost of ~€2.20). The arboretum and gardens are a ~15 walk from the Fota Train Station.
Located in the sheltered harbour of Cork, Fota Arboretum and Gardens are of international renown, with one of the finest collections of rare and tender trees and shrubs grown outdoors in Ireland and Britain. The conifer collection is exceptional, with outstanding examples of Abies, Cryptomeria, Cupressus, Pinus, Picea, Sequoia, Sequoiadendron, some of which were among the first to be planted in Europe.
The name ‘Fota’ derives from the Irish ‘Fód te’, meaning warm soil, and it is these brown earth soils coupled with the mildness of the climate which have allowed the flourishing of many tender plants that cannot be grown outdoors in inland locations in Ireland.
The arboretum and gardens are open from 10.00–17.00, and admission is free.
Train times from Cork Kent to Fota:
14.00–14.15, 15.00–15.15
Train times from Fota to Cork Kent:
17.10–17.25, 17.40–17.55, 18.10–18.25
Fota Wildlife Park
Travel time is ~15 min by train from Cork Kent Train Station to Fota Train Station (a cost of ~€2.20). The wildlife park is a ~15 walk from the Fota Train Station.
Fota Wildlife Park, part of the Zoological Society of Ireland, is located on 100 acres at Fota Island 10km east of Cork City and has an annual attendance of approximately 460,000 visitors. It aims to provide the animals it houses with as natural an environment as possible.
Fota Wildlife Park’s vision is to inspire people to understand and conserve the biodiversity of our natural world. The Park’s core values of conservation, education, and research have ensured that they are uniquely placed to foster greater public understanding of the threats to plant and animal habitats and decreasing global biodiversity. Fota Wildlife Park has made considerable investment in the past 10 years upgrading its infrastructure including an indoor Giraffe viewing area, the Madagascan Village and the Asian Sanctuary which opened in 2015 and features Asian lions, Sumatran tigers, and Indian Rhino.
Cost of admission is €17.20 for adults, €11.90 for children under 16 and €12.90 for students (with valid student card) and Seniors (65+); toddlers up to 36 months old are free. Various family tickets are also available. The Fota Wildlife Park is open from 9.30-18.00.
Train times from Cork Kent to Fota:
14.00–14.15, 15.00–15.15
Train times from Fota to Cork Kent:
17.10–17.25, 17.40–17.55, 18.10–18.25
Cobh (pronounced “Cove”)
Travel time is ~26 min by train from Cork Kent Train Station to Cobh Train Station (a cost of ~€3.50).
Cobh is the perfect place to visit for a Day Trip or a longer stay this summer. Cork Harbour was famously described as Ireland’s Riviera in the not too distant past. Cork Harbour is the second largest natural Harbour in the World and Cobh is the jewel at its centre. There is a wealth of history that is brought to life through plaques, signs and monuments throughout the town. The greatest monument of all is the stunning St Colman’s Cathedral.
Cobh was the last port of call for many ships heading westward across the Atlantic, including the Titanic. The story of Irish Emigration is told at the Cobh Heritage Centre (https://www.cobhheritage.com ), and the story of the Titanic at the Titanic Experience (https://www.titanicexperiencecobh.ie ).
Train times from Cork Kent to Cobh:
14.00-14.26, 15.00-15.26
Train times from Cobh to Cork Kent:
17.00-17.25, 17.30-17.55, 18.00-18.25
Blarney Castle
Travel time is ~40 min on the 215 bus from Cork Parnell Place Bus Station to Blarney. The cost is ~€6–9.
Blarney Castle was built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland's greatest chieftans, Cormac MacCarthy. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney, making it a world landmark and one of Ireland's greatest treasures. Legend has it that the Blarney Stone, found at the top of a tower, gives the gift of eloquence – kiss it and you'll never again be lost for words. The Castle is surrounded by extensive themed gardens. You can find more information at https://blarneycastle.ie .
Times for the 215 bus from Cork Parnell Place Bus Station to Blarney:
14.05–14.44, 14.35–15.14, 15.05–15.44
Times for the 215 bus from Blarney to Cork Parnell Place:
16.57–17.59, 17.28–18.07, 17.58–18.34
Kinsale
Travel time is ~50 min on the 226 bus from Cork Parnell Place Bus Station to Kinsale. The cost is €7–11.
Kinsale is a vibrant coastal town with a stunning harbour, known for its colourful streetscapes and rich history (https://www.kinsale.ie ). Compass Hill, a ~15 min walk from Kinsale Town offers an easy half-hour loop walk above the town, which has lovely views of Kinsale from above (https://www.kinsale.ie/compass-hill-loop-map-kinsale/ ). Another popular 6km cliff walk wrapping around Kinsale harbour is the Scilly Walk (https://www.kinsale.ie/2021/01/13/scilly-walk/ ), whose start is ~20 min from Kinsale town on foot. The Scilly Walk offers beautiful views of the harbour and the historic sites of James Fort and Charles Fort, as well as good opportunities to spot sea birds, seals and sometimes even pods of dolphins. It is possible to continue to Charles Fort at the end of the trail (https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/charles-fort-national-monument/ ), but if you choose this option, keep careful track of your time!
Times for the 226 bus from Cork Parnell Place Bus Station to Kinsale:
13.51–14.42, 14.51–15.42
Times for the 226 bus from Kinsale to Cork Parnell Place Bus Station:
16.58–17.52, 17.58–18.46