Tag Archives: English Language Cork

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.

Misoo’s Story

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I’m majoring in English Literature and Linguistics in South Korea. Now I’m taking a year off to study here in Cork.First of all I decided to come to Ireland because it is relatively easy to get a student visa compared to other countries. Also they allow foreign students to work which is almost impossible in other countries.

Cork is quite a big city following the capital Dublin but actually it is not as crowded as Dublin. I really love this point. Moreover, there are not that many Korean students. To practice English as much as possible I didn’t want to go somewhere where it is easy to find Korean people.

When I arrived in Cork I was very impressed at how green everything was I like the old buildings. It seems to me that they are keeping nature and traditional things very well.  Also I was impressed by Irish people. Before arriving I had heard the Irish people are nice and I found this to be very true.

English Language Student Cork

At the moment I am taking a General English Course. All aspects of English language learning are covered: speaking, reading, writing and listening. Depending on your level they are likely to put a focus on a different section.

As far as teachers are concerned, to be honest, every moment I’m impressed with them. They are always well prepared for class and always listen to each student. Also they correct students speaking and writing if they are making mistakes whether there are numerous mistakes or not.

My English speaking skills have developed a lot in comparison with the past. I rarely met an opportunity to practice English when I studied English my country. As a result I couldn’t get my knowledge out of my brain to express myself. Furthermore I had memorized a lot of words with the wrong pronunciations!

If I choose the most challenging part of English learning it is listening. I had heard only an American English accent before. Now I’m getting used to different accents and actually in the classroom we are training our listening with diverse accents.

You don’t need to worry about making friends even if you are an introvert. All the students in this academy are good and if you want to make Irish friends you can take part in many activities in Cork.

It is easy to travel around Ireland from Cork and also to other European countries because they are near and it doesn’t cost a lot. Irish people also spend their holidays in other countries.

I have already suggested my friend comes to Cork English Academy. I’m quite satisfied with my life here and I’m sure that this experience will affect my whole life going forward. Also it’s likely that I’ll be able to study further after going back to University. It’s challenging but a very worthy experience!

School Quiz

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The quiz teams got together to practice their English language skills and impress their new English language loving school mates with their general knowledge skills.

IMAG0876 IMAG0878

Winners Announcement:

1st place ‘Spanish United’ : Well done Javier, Pilar and Miriam

2nd place ‘The winners’

3rd place aptly named ‘I don’t know’

Round 1 – General Knowledge
Round 2 – Irish Round (this week’s topic was the Irish Civil War)
Round 3 – Picture Round
Round 4 – Unscramble the words
Round 5 – Music Round (30 second soundbites)
Round 6 – General Knowledge.

We also had a lightning round as there was a tie-breaker for 2nd and 3rd place!

1st Prize – €15 plus a trophy
2nd Prize –  €10
3rd Prize – €5
Prize for best team name: A box of chocolates

Next week’s quiz is on at 15.30 on Tuesday 4th May. Sign up for our activities on the Social Programme Board on the Third Floor in room 14.

The  Social Activity Programme is a very important part of the Cork English Academy experience and we try to make sure that we have something for everybody.

Learning in the school is greatly enhanced when students are involved in social and activity events. The Social Activity Programme enables students to continue to learn about Irish culture and heritage while practicing and developing their English language skills in the real world.

We strongly encourage students to take part in the school’s weekly organised events along with promoting activities, festivals and interesting places to visit in Cork and surrounding areas.