Getting There
If you're driving from Cork City, take the main Waterford road (N25) east. Exit at R624 for Fota and Cobh, or R632 for Shanagarry and Ballycotton. Midleton and Youghal have their own signposted exits. If you're coming from West Cork and want to bypass Cork City (a good idea during rush hour), take the car ferry operated by Cross River Ferries Ltd., Atlantic Quay, Cobh (tel. 021/481-1485). It links Carrigaloe, near Cobh, with Glenbrook, south of Cork City. Ferries run daily from 7:15am to 12:45am; average crossing time is 5 minutes. No reservations are necessary. Fares are payable on the ferry. Cars cost €4 ($5) one-way, €6 ($8) round-trip.
Irish Rail (tel. 021/450-64777; www.irishrail.ie) operates daily train service between Cork City and Cobh via Fota Island. Bus Éireann (tel. 021/450-8188; www.buseireann.ie) also provides daily service from Cork City to Cobh and other points in East Cork.
Visitor Information
The tourist office is open daily 9:30am to 5:30pm weekdays, 1 to 5pm weekends, at the Old Yacht Club in the lower harbor at Cobh (tel. 021/481-3301). Seasonal tourist offices operate at 4 Main St., Midleton (tel. 021/461-3702), and Market Square, Youghal (tel. 024/92390), from May or June through September. Hours are 9:30am to 5:30pm.
