Category Archives: Blog

Student news and updates on the CEA school blog.

Quentin’s Graduation

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This week, I completed my ten-week English course at Cork English Academy and I am now ready to return to my home country. Although the duration of my studies was short, it significantly helped me improve my language skills, especially in communication and confidence.

I would like to express my gratitude to all the people who helped me during my time here, whether it was with my studies, daily life, or sightseeing. I am also thankful to my best friend, who supported me through all the difficult moments.

Moreover, I appreciate myself for taking risks and stepping out of my comfort zone. Not all endeavors had a perfect ending, but the experience of trying will surely lead to a better future.

As they say, “sometimes you have to take a leap of faith.”

Thank you Quentin. All the best to you in everything you do in life. May the luck of the Irish be with you!

Beaches Near Cork City

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Some of our international English language students have been visiting the many beaches of Cork. Both on sunny , warm days and wet and wild windy days the beaches on the coast of Cork have something special to offer.

Myrtleville and Fountainstown Beaches

  • Km from Cork City: 22km (Drive time – 30 minutes)
  • Direction: SOUTH-Take the N28 via Carrigaline
  • Nearest town: Carrigaline 4km
  • Public Transport: 220A bus. Myrtleville Beach is 10 minutes walk down the hill from Crosshaven Rugby Club. The bus stops in Fountainstown

Myrtleville is a small sandy beach mainly used by residents of nearby holiday homes. Limited parking on the road. You can walk or drive from here to Fountainstown beach – about 1k away. Fountainstown beach is stony with lots of seaweed. It has a large free car park.

Myrtleville – Photo @jessburkephotos

Fountainstown – Photo @ramseysalim

The Dock Beach, Kinsale

  • Km from Cork City: 29km ( Drive Time – 37 minutes)
  • Nearest town: Kinsale 2km
  • Public Transport: 226 bus

The Dock Beach Cork is a small well-sheltered beach located in Kinsale, Co Cork that offers a view of the harbour and Charlesfort. The beach is situated near James fort. The water is safe for swimming, there are no big waves or currents.

The Dock Beach, Kinsale – Photo @corkexplores

Garrettstown and Garrylucas Beaches

  • Km from Cork City: 34km ( Drive Time – 40 minutes)
  • Direction: EAST – Take the N27 via Cork Airport, Riverstick, Belgooly, Kinsale, Ballinspittle.
  • Nearest town: Ballinspittle 2km
  • Public Transport: 226 bus

Large sand and stony Blue Flag beach, great for surfing. Lifeguards present in Summer Season. Lots of parking on the beach front. Ask for directions to the nearby cliff walk, which affords fantastic views of the Celtic Sea on a clear day.

Garrettstown – Photo @atlantic_offshore_adventures

Garrylucas – Photo @yogaandval

White Bay Beach, Glanagow, Cork

  • Km from Cork City: 40km
  • Nearest Town: Whitegate ( 2.5km)
  • Public Transport : 241 Bus

White Bay is a lovely scenic beach on the south coast of Ireland. Safe for swimming and offers an amazing view from the beach. Lots of yachts, boats, and tankers come past in the distance as it’s near the entrance to Cork port. To access the beach, you need to park up at the Car Park and walk down a long lane to the beach. There is a long steep walk up and down from the parking park. Do not forget to check the tides, as the beach gets small at high tide.

Garryvoe Beach

  • Km from Cork City: 34 km (Drive Time – 40 Minutes)
  • Direction: EAST – Take the N25 via Midleton, Castlemartyr, Ladysbridge.
  • Nearest town: Ladysbridge 2km
  • Public Transport: 240 bus

A very large sand and stony Blue Flag Beach. Life guards present in Summer Season. Gets extremely busy on fine weekends. Lots of parking along the beach front. Good childrens playground on beach front. Fast food vans are there on fine weekends.

Garryvoe Beach – Photo @stayatsentio

Youghal Beach

  • Km from Cork City: 48k  (Drive time – 50 Minutes)
  • Direction: EAST – Take N25 via Midleton, Castlemartyr, Killeagh
  • Nearest town: Youghal – 300 metres
  • Public Transport: 40 bus & 260 bus

An extremely long and popular Blue Flag Beach. Was one of the main beach areas for Cork City residents in the 50’s and 60’s when a train ran from the city right to the beach. Lots of parking on the main road.

Youghal Beach – Photo @shanahan55

Courtmacsherry Beach

  • Km from Cork City: 50km (Drive time – 50 minutes)
  • Direction: WEST – Take N71 via Half Way, Bandon, Timoleague
  • Nearest town: Courtmacsherry – 500 metres
  • Public Transport: 239 bus (Not all services)

Inchydoney Beach

  • Km  from Cork City: 50km (Drive time – 55 minutes)
  • Direction: SOUTH – Take N71 via Bandon, Clonakilty
  • Nearest town: Clonakilty 4km

Located 4km southeast of the delightful village of Clonakilty and 50km southwest of Cork City, Inchydoney Beach is popular amongst tourists and locals alike. It’s arguably one of the best known beaches in West Cork and it’s a fine place for a stroll or a paddle.

Incydoney Beach – Photo @corkdrones

The Warren Beach

  • Km from Cork City: 58km (Drive time – 1 hour 15 mins)
  • Direction: WEST – Take N71 via Bandon, Clonakilty, Rosscarbery
  • Nearest town: Rosscarbery 2km
  • Public Transport: 237 bus. 20 minutes walk from Rosscarbery.

Owenahincha Beach

  • Km from Cork City: 58km (Drive time 1hour 15 mins)
  • Direction: WEST – Take N71 via Bandon, Clonakilty, CastlefrekeVery nice sandy beach in quite a rural location.

    Owenahincha Beach – Photo @mplaice

Check out here for even more beaches in West Cork.

Merveil’s Story 

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I am studying in B2 with Karen. Honestly, the first day I was surprised to be in B2. I thought I would be in A2! But I realized I just needed more confidence. Karen is a great teacher, every day I learn something new and also improve my English.

Since I started studying English at the Cork English Academy, I am not afraid to speak anymore. So, I am improving a lot in speaking and writing.

The aspect of English language learning that I’m finding the most challenging is the grammar. I must revise a lot and do a lot of practice to use the different tenses.

I practice my English outside of school hours.  I live in a share accommodation, so I speak English with the others tenants. In addition, Every Sunday evening I spend time with Irish people I met at Cork Church.

I chose Cork because I wanted to be immersed in the Irish culture and also because there are many beautiful places to visit.

My favorite thing about Cork is the weather. Because you don’t have to do a year to see the four seasons. Every day is spring, summer, autumn and winter. 

Yes I would recommend Ireland as a study abroad destination to others because If you can understand the Irish accent especially in Cork you can understand every English accent in the world!

Merveil BAKI, France

Jobs Board

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Finding a job in Cork can be a great way to maximize your English language use in real life settings.

Put what you have learned in class into practice in real life work settings!

Monthly Jobs Club

Remember to sign up for our Monthly Jobs Club where we help students with:

  • Writing a CV/ Resume
  • Writing a Cover Letter
  • Interview Skills

School Jobs Board

Make sure to check for updated jobs on the School Jobs Board on the ground floor in the student chill-out area. We update the board regularly with tips to helping you to find a job in Cork.

School Jobs Board

Find a job in Cork using Instagram and job websites.

Jobs Board on Instagram

Check out our Jobs Board on Instagram. Use #jobfairycork and #corkjobs to search for a job in Cork.

Take a look at Instagram #jobfairycork #corkjobs

#jobfairycork #corkjobs

Take a look at Job Websites

Find a Job in Cork

Good for Part time and Temp Work

Good for Building Connections and Linking with Recruiters:

Renting Your Own Room in Cork City

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Cork English Academy can arrange a Viva Ireland shared apartment room or host family for you on arrival to Cork.

If in the case we do not have accommodation available for your preferred dates you can contact the following accommodation providers with rooms to rent in Cork yourself.

Renting Your Own Room in Cork City

EazyCity Accommodation Provider

Hosting Power

  • You can make an accommodation booking directly with Hosting Power.
  • Hosting Power is a platform where students can book a room in someone’s home. It is usually room only and no meals are provided.
  • Students will need to create a booking on the website, sign confirmation and pay a deposit.
  • The service fee is around €429 but if you divide that by example 4 weeks when rooms are between €110 and €130 per week , it is close to other accommodation provider prices.
  • Booking  6, 8, 10 weeks etc is better value as the service fee is still around €429.
  • Look out for rooms in Cork in the following areas: Blackrock, Mayfield, Tivoli, Glanmire, Broadale, Carrigaline, Ballinlough, and Douglas (all on a city bus route).
  • There are other rooms in Cobh, Millstreet, Mallow, Watergrasshill, Crosshaven.
  • These are in County Cork but not city or suburbs.

Rentola

  • You can make an accommodation booking directly with Rentola.
  • Rentola is a platform where students can book a room in someone’s home. It is usually room only and no meals are provided.
  • Students will need to create a booking on the website, sign confirmation and pay a monthly subscription.
  • There is a 7 day trial for just €1. If you find a room within seven days you can cancel your subscription and no further fee is charged.
  • The monthly subscription is around €39 but once you have secured a room you can cancel the subscription at any time.

Summer Accommodation Providers

Check out these Summer accommodation providers offering Accommodation from 27th May to 19th/ 26th August:

ScholarLee Summer Stays

  • Offering you a choice of ideally located, co-living apartments, ScholarLee is ideal for well-priced and equipped, independent short and summer stays.

UCC Summer Beds

  • Several different locations in Cork city including new option Crows Nest

AbbeyWharf, Cork City

  • North Mall /Courtville is an ideal choice if you are looking for summer accommodation in Cork .
  • Limited number of apartments and rooms available from 29th May 2023 to 18th August 2023 with a minimum stay of 4 weeks.

Student Village Cork 

  • Situated across the road from the Kingsley Hotel and located next door to the County hall and across from the Lee fields with 25 acres of open space.
  • At Cork Student Village all tenants have their own individual room with the option of standard or Ensuite room for 1/2 people.

Furthermore,  you may want to find your own accommodation in Cork. Popular rental websites in Ireland are Daft.ie and MyHome2let.ie. These can give you a