Banks: 09.30 to 16.30, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 09.00 to 17.30, Monday to Saturday
Government Offices: 10.00 to 16.00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 10.00 to 16.00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 09.00 to 18.00, Monday to Friday; late opening on Thursday; some stores open on Sundays.

Although Cork is laidback and has a low rate of crime, keeping tags on your valuables and taking out travel insurance is advised. If you wear a money bag, keep it concealed, and try not to withdraw money from an ATM at night. It is also a good idea to try and avoid the city centre after pub closing time.

240V, 50Hz – three-pin sockets

Standards of hygiene in Cork are on par with the rest of the country, with strictly monitored eateries and drinkable tap water. If you run into problems with your health, there are pharmacies all over the city centre while the main hospital, Cork University Hospital, is on Wilton Road.

Emergency services: 999
Cork University Hospital: +353 21 492 2880

English is the official language of Ireland although Gaelic is also spoken.

Ireland was one of the first countries to absorb the euro (€) and there are no restrictions on the import or export of euros or foreign currency. One euro is equal to 100 cents.

Travellers coming into Ireland from outside the EU can bring in the following amounts of duty-free items: 200 cigarettes; one litre of spirits, or two litres of wine; 60 millilitres of perfume, and a reasonable amount of gifts. Visitors from within the EU can bring in the following amounts duty-paid items: 800 cigarettes, or one kilo of tobacco, or 200 cigars; and 10 litres of spirits.

The Irish like to mix and generally enjoy a busy social life, and visitors will usually find the Cork locals most welcoming. There is no special dining etiquette to be aware of and common sense prevails regarding attire. Smoking is banned in all public buildings, including bars and restaurants, and tipping is not necessary for places with service charges.

No visas are needed to enter Ireland for those from the EU, including citizens of the UK, while visitors from the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand also don’t need visas for stays of up to three months. All other visitors should check with their nearest Irish embassy with regards to applying for a tourist visa. Passports should be valid for at least three months beyond your date of departure.

The Cork Tourist Office at Tourist House on Grand Parade has brochures, maps and useful information for a Cork visit and is open from Monday to Saturday. Phone: +353 21 425 5100; www.corkkerry.ie