Next on our regions in Cork is Wilton to the Southwest of Togher.
The small area of Wilton in the southwest of the city is an ideally situated suburb of Cork located close to all the main routes to and from Cork city. It is close to the Bishopstown and Model Farm Road areas and has thus access to a number of facilities there such as schools, sports clubs and banks.
Attractions and Amenities: At the epicentre of Wilton would be the Cork University Hospital (CUH) that caters to the entire population of the South West of Cork county. Opposite the hospital is the large Wilton Shopping Centre (and huge carpark) which holds over 65 stores including stores of note such as a large 24 hour Tesco store, (largest around cork city) Penneys store, New Look and Awear, Golden Discs, Boots and Specsavers and a number of restaurants to name just a few. Also within the shopping grounds is a cab office, and a Bank of Ireland.
Situated around the grounds of the Wilton Shopping Centre, is the impressive Bishopstown library, one of the newest and most design innovative libraries in the country having been nominated for both National and European design awards.
To the left of the shopping centre is the Wilton bar and restaurant a nice place for a few quiet drinks and lunch, and down the road is another groups of shops including a petrol station, a takeaway and an Xtravison store for movie rentals.
Nearby in the Doughcloyne area that borders on Wilton and Togher, catering to families with young children there is Chuckies, a large Indoor Play Centre with a multi zone play area which is suitable for children from 12mths to 10 years, giving both children and parents a day out.
For people who want to pursue a more active lifestyle the Leisureworld complex boasting swimming pools, football pitches and gym, on the Model Farm Road in the Bishopstown area is within easy reach of Wilton and Wiltons close proximity to Bishopstown means the many clubs and schools and the nearby college of CIT (if one wishes to pursue nightclasses) are all easily accessible.
Location and Transport: The beauty of Wilton is its location and the transport routes. The heart of Wilton is situated in between two roundabouts, the Wilton roundabout to the north, which directs traffic from the West (West Cork and Kerry) to either the city centre (a 15 minute drive) or to the scenic lough area (less than 5 minute drive), and the Sarsfield roundabout to the south which links traffic from the West to the Kinsale (route to Cork airport) roundabout and onto the South Ring road with provides access to Mahon Point, the east of Cork (Fota, Cobh etc) and the rest of the country.
Main Bus routes: for traveling to and from the city centre there are the No.14 (city centre to Wilton via the Lough and Togher) and No. 8 ( city centre to Wilton and Bishopstown via UCC) buses, with the bus stops located outside Wilton shopping centre (outgoing) and opposite the hospital (incoming).
All in all the Wilton area is ideal place to live close enough to the city centre to avail of the nightlife but far enough to live comfortably with easy access to routes outside of the city.
