Settling in · Cork
Landing in Cork? Start here.
The first fortnight in Cork, in order: the paperwork that has to happen, then the places that make it feel like somewhere you could stay.
Week one and two
The order to do things in
1
Ring your Sama contact when you land
Whoever placed you. Tell them you arrived and that you are all right. We check in on you, but ring anyway.
2
Get your PPS number started
You cannot be taxed properly without it and emergency tax is expensive. You need proof of address and your job offer.
3
Open a bank account
Bring your passport, your permit or IRP, and a letter from your employer with your address. Some branches are easier than others, which is exactly the kind of thing worth telling the next person.
4
Get an Irish SIM
A local number makes everything else easier, including the bank.
5
Register with a GP
Do it before you are sick, not after. The HSE finder is below.
6
Register for tax with Revenue
myAccount, then give your employer your details. Otherwise emergency tax eats your first pay.
7
Sort your immigration registration
If your permission needs an IRP, book it early. Appointments go quickly.
8
Find the nearest shop, place of worship and club
This is the part that decides whether you stay. It is also the part nobody puts in a handbook, which is why the rest of this page exists.
Official, and free
Official finders
Run by the State, so they stay current. Search each one for your own town.
Find a GPThe HSE list of GPs, searchable by area. Ring a few: some practices are full and some are not.Get a PPS numberYou need one to be paid properly and to be taxed properly. Apply through MyWelfare once you have a job offer and an address.PPS allocation centres by countyWhere to go in person, county by county.Citizens Information centre near youFree, independent, face to face help with anything: rights, benefits, housing, tax, immigration. Phone 0818 07 4000.Register your immigration permissionIf you need an Irish Residence Permit, this is where it is done and where the appointments are.Find your local Garda stationWorth knowing before you need it. Emergency is 112 or 999.Register for taxRevenue myAccount. Do this early or you will be on emergency tax and your first payslips will hurt.Exchange or apply for a driving licenceThe NDLS decides whether your licence can be exchanged or whether you start with the theory test.Renting: know the rulesThreshold gives free advice to tenants, and the RTB registers tenancies and settles disputes.Public transportTimetables and fares for bus, rail and Luas across the country.
Near you
84 places in Cork worth knowing in week one
From OpenStreetMap, the map that locals build, plus places our team knows. Every card has a map link. If one has closed or moved, WhatsApp us and it comes down.
Nothing nearby matches that yet. Try a shorter word.
Places of worship
Every faith near you, listed so people can find a community when they arrive. Sama Talent Group is not affiliated with any religion or religious organisation.
Churches
Cathedral of Saint Mary and Saint Anne
Christian, Roman catholic
Cathedral Street, Cork, T23 NX76
Church of Saint Joseph
Christian, Roman catholic
L2985 Municipal District of Cobh
About 9 km away
Other places of worship
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Cork
About 15 km away
Carrigtwohill Community Council, Main Street, Carrgitohill, Carigtwohill Co., Cork
Worship services: Wed 8:00pm · Sat 11:00am · Sat 1:30pm (children)
Addresses and worship service times from the Iglesia ni Cristo directory, checked October 2026. Times can change, so check the locale's own page before you go. directory.iglesianicristo.net
Shops from home
Sami Swoi Polish Grovery
Supermarket
14A Main Street, Municipal District of Cobh, T45 Y054
About 15 km away
God's Grace Afro-Caribbean Store
Supermarket
Main Street, Municipal District of Cobh, T45 RP30
About 15 km away
Food and takeaways
Bombay Palace Indian Restaurant
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 14:30-22:30; Fr,Sa 13:30-22:30
14-15 Cook Street, Cork, T12 WFF8
Chinese Gourmet Cork
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 13:00-22:00
1 Thomas Davis Street, Cork
About 2 km away
Coconut Asian Street Food
Asian, chinese, thai. restaurant
L3010 Cork
About 7 km away
Royal Pacific
Chinese. restaurant
Main Street, Carrigaline, P43 AN82
About 11 km away
Spice Indian Cuisine
Indian. restaurant
Main Street, Carrigaline, P43 FP66
About 11 km away
Hong Kong Kitchen
Chinese. restaurant
7 West Beach, Cobh, P24 XY61
About 14 km away
Wan Fu Chinese
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 13:30-24:00
East Beach, Municipal District of Cobh
About 14 km away
Ramen Noodles
Asian street food. restaurant. Hours: 12:00-22:00
Magazine Road, Cork, T12 F9P5
About 2 km away
Golden Panda
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Mo,We-Su 16:30-23:00; Tu off
Saint Ann's Road, Cork, T23 H1WA
About 8 km away
Suki
Asian, japanese. restaurant
48 Main Street, The Municipal District of East Cork, P25 PX44
About 21 km away
Cobra Tandoori
Indian, pakistani. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 16:00-23:00
69 Main Street, Kinsale, P17 YX80
About 22 km away
Sports and clubs
Cork Constitution Football Club
Rugby union. Sports centre
Churchyard Lane, Cork, T12 N209
About 3 km away
Erin's Own GAA
Gaelic games. Sports centre
L2970 Municipal District of Cobh
About 8 km away
Douglas Boxing Club
Boxing. Sports centre
Donnybrook Commercial Centre, Cork
About 4 km away
Kinsale Rugby Football Club
Rugby. Sports centre
L3238 Kinsale, P17 CC67
About 21 km away
Rusbrooke Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club
Sports centre
Lake Road, Municipal District of Cobh
About 12 km away
Carrigaline GAA
Gaelic games. Sports centre
Crosshaven Road
About 12 km away
Days out and things to do
Awesome Walls Cork
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-22:00; Sa-Su 10:00-20:00
Model Farm Road, Cork, T12 A9XE
About 4 km away
Driving schools
Community and support groups
Gurranabraher Parochial Hall
Community centre
114 Knockfree Avenue, Cork, T23 W08N
Ballyphehane Community Centre
Community centre
Tory Top Road, Cork, T12 WC6V
About 2 km away
SMA Community Centre
Community centre
Wilton Shopping Centre, Cork, T12 RR84
About 3 km away
Mahon Family Resource Centre
Community centre
Mahon Drive, Cork, T12 Y180
About 5 km away
Great Island Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-22:00; Sa-Su 09:00-18:00; PH off
St.Colmans Square, Municipal District of Cobh, P24 WP82
About 13 km away
Carrigtwohill Community Centre
Community centre
Main Street, Municipal District of Cobh, T45 HN99
About 15 km away
Sáile - Kinsale Sports & Community Centre
Community centre
Springmount Kinsale, P17 WD21
About 22 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
The Harbour Turkish Barber
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:30-19:00; We-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 11:00-17:00
5 Pearse's Square, Cobh, P24 DX52
About 14 km away
Perfect Cutting Turkish Barber
Hairdresser
33 Main Street, Municipal District of Cobh, T45 HN99
About 15 km away
Barbers and salons
Ikon Hair Cork
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Th 09:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 08:00-15:00
42 Marlboro Street, Cork, T12 NF84
Amy Michelle Hairdressing
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu 09:00-17:30; We,Th 09:00-20:00; Fr 08:00-17:30; Sa 08:00-15:00; Mo,Su,PH off
18 High Street, Cork, T12 WN83
Island Hair & Beauty
Hairdresser
Eastgate Village, Municipal District of Cobh
About 8 km away
Fusion Hair Design & Beauty Rooms
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu 10:00 - 17:00; We-Th 09:30 - 17:00; Fr 09:30 - 20:00; Sa 09:00 - 17:00
78 Shandon Street, Cork, T23 WP90
Cinemas and libraries
Boole Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: 07:30-01:30
College Road, Cork, T12 ND89
Hollyhill Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Harbour View Road, Cork, T23 N250
About 2 km away
Ballincollig Public Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu-Fr 09:30-17:30 open; Sa 09:30-17:30 "closed on Saturdays before a Public Holiday"; PH off
Main Street, Cork, P31 PD95
About 8 km away
Cork City Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-17:30
Grand Parade, Cork, T12 H677
Cork City & County Archives
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00
Great William O'Brien Street, Cork
Tory Top Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Tu 10:00-20:00; We-Sa 10:00-17:30
Tory Top Road, Cork, T12 AH2Y
About 2 km away
County Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Carrigrohane Road, Cork, T12 K335
About 2 km away
Bishopstown Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Wilton Shopping Centre, Cork, T12 RR84
About 3 km away
Arc Cinema Midleton
Cinema
Market Green, The Municipal District of East Cork, P25 XD65
About 20 km away
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. We do not make places up: if the map has it wrong, fix it on openstreetmap.org and it comes through at the next refresh.
Before you accept an offer
What would be left each month?
Put in the wage and the county. It works out the tax, the rent where you would live, the bills and the food, and shows what is left to save or send home.
Saving money
What locals use to spend less
The shops and sites people here use for cheap clothes, second-hand furniture, a car, and the weekly shop. We are not paid to list any of them.
DoneDealIreland's biggest site for second-hand cars, vans, tools and furniture. Check a car's history before you pay.Adverts.ieSecond-hand everything, often for very little, with plenty given away free.Facebook MarketplaceFurniture, bikes and household things from people near you. Meet in public, and never pay before you see it.PenneysCheap everyday clothes, work basics and bedding.Aldi and LidlThe cheapest big supermarkets for the weekly shop.Mr PriceDiscount stores around the country for household bits, cleaning products, toiletries and snacks.DealzHousehold bits and snacks for a euro or two.Too Good To GoSurprise bags of food from cafes, bakeries and supermarkets at the end of the day, at a fraction of the price.Charity shopsClothes, coats and furniture, and the money goes to a good cause.Bonkers.ieCompare phone, broadband, energy and bank costs, free.
Getting around
Getting around from Cork
Transport for IrelandThe national journey planner, Leap card and the TFI Go app.Irish RailTrain times, tickets and the commuter routes.Bus ÉireannTown and intercity buses across the country.
Driving here on your licence
A licence from the EU or EEA can be used while it is valid and exchanged for an Irish one. A licence from a state Ireland has an exchange agreement with can be exchanged when you take up residence. From other countries you start with a learner permit and take the theory test, lessons and the driving test. Professional drivers may also need their Driver CPC.
Check your licence with the RSA Exchange it through the NDLS
Hiring a car
Each rental company sets its own rules on age, how long you have held your licence and which licences it accepts, and young drivers often pay more. Check those rules before you book, and bring your licence and passport to the desk.
Driving rules taken from the official pages linked above, checked October 2026. They change, so the official page is the one to rely on.
Who hires from abroad here
3,348 employment permits went to Cork employers so far in 2026
2,973 in all of 2025. These are the employers in Cork already set up to hire people on permits, from the Department's own list. If you are here on a permit and want to move, these are the places that know how.
187Cork University Hospital
79Eli Lilly Kinsale Limited
68Amazon Ireland Support Services Limited
66Staunton Foods Limited
51Glenferry Coaches Limited
47Sonas Nursing Homes Management Co Limited
44Apple Distribution International Limited
40Haven Bay Care Centre Limited
While you are here