Back to our indepth look at Cork Suburbs moving on from Wilton and heading further to the southwest of Cork city is Bishopstown

This affluent region is one of the most southwesterly suburbs of cork city. It would be one of the first suburbs of Cork to be seen for people travelling in from West Cork and Kerry regions upon passing northwards to the city centre from the Bandon Road roundabout.  It is mostly known as a college and student suburb with the Cork Institute of Technology and the FAS training and employment centres both located on the Model Farm Road in the Bishopstown area.

Amenities and Attractions: There are a number of restaurants and bars in the centre of Bishopstown, the main ones of interest being The Bishopstown Bar, The Viscount and The Outpost. There are also many shops in the locale, such as the convenience store Herlihy’s Centra and two Dunnes Stores: in Curraheen Road and at the nearby Bishopstown Court Shopping Centre. A number of pharmacies and bookies as well as banks and Credit Unions serve the rest of the locales needs.

Bishopstown is also close enough to the Wilton area to avail of its shopping centre in particular the large 24 hour Tesco store. It’s proximity to Wilton also means the Cork University Hospital is close at hand. And the Bishopstown library, despite its name,  is within easy reach being located in the grounds of Wilton shopping centre.

One of the main facilities in the Bishopstown area is the large Leisureworld complex on the Model Farm Road close to CIT and FAS which caters to the active needs of both students and residents alike. In this complex one can avail of a number of swimming pools with the option of relaxing in the sauna and steamroom provided afterwards, organise a five a side on the football pitches, or catch up on some exercise in the gym.  There are also a number of classes such as pilates, yoga, aerobics etc. available throughout the day and evening. The centre also holds a number of sports activities for all the family in particular kids and teens.

As well as the sporting activities offered by the Leisureworld complex there are a number of sporting clubs, with hillwalking and orienteering clubs, tennis club played at Murphy’s Farm, and of course rugby and GAA clubs all of which will cater to all members of a family. Bishopstown also has its own scout group, and the local Murphy’s Farm provides pleasant walkways for leisurely strolls. The presence of CIT and the FAS training centre provides adults with a chance to learn new things with the options of evening classes.

Schools: In addition to the main college of CIT, Bishopstown provides the secondary schools an Spioraid Naoim, Mount Mercy College, and the Bishopstown Community School. For the younger age group Bishopstown also includes primary schools such as Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh Boys and Girls school, Scoil Terese and Gaelscoil Uí Riada.

Business: Because of its college connections and the location of the IDA nearby a large number of business parks and industrial estates are located in the Sarsfield and Model Farm Road holding many businesses such as Boston Scientific, which along with the number of shops and restaurants offer employment opportunities.

Location and Transport: Bishopstown is about 3 miles from the city centre and is the area just before Wilton. The two roundabouts in Wilton (Wilton and Sarsfield) offer routes to the city centre, the lough area as well as direct routes to the airport and South Ring roads to the south and northeast of the city. For travelers from the Southwest of Ireland (West Cork and Kerry) passing the Bandon roundabout and into the city centre, Bishopstown is the first area of cork city they pass through, thus for the traveler it is an ideal spot for traveling in and out of the city and into the countryside of West Cork or alternatively into Ballincollig and onto the road to Kerry.

Bus Routes: Bishopstown is serviced by the No.8 bus which travels from the city centre via UCC and Wilton onto Bishopstown with various bus stops along the way.

With it’s many sporting clubs, schools and amenities and its’ proximity to Wilton and thus the main routes in and out of Cork city Bishopstown is not just a student hub but also an ideal spot for families and for people who desire direct access to the thrill of the city centre yet want to retain the comfort of a local community.

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.

Continuing on with our look at the many suburbs and regions of Property  in Cork City highlighting the main attractions and points to take note of, this week it’s the turn of Togher.

Togher is a suburb of south Cork city situated close to the Lough and Ballyphehane. It is to the south of the Lough and it surrounds and encompasses an area that takes in the Lough to the north, Wilton to the southwest, Glasheen to the west and Ballyphehane and Turners Cross to the east of it.

Amenities: Togher is for the most part a quiet suburb serviced by a number of local shops and services. To the north of Togher by the Lough area is a small shopping area that caters to people in the Lough and Togher areas. Within it there is a large local Supervalue, a chemist, a chinese takeaway,a video store and a bar and restaurant and just above it where togher road meets lough road opposite the Lough is a nice butchers. Around the area of Togher there are a number of small convenient shops and hairdressers, a local postoffice centrally located and a Lidl store close by down the Togher road opposite Clashduv Park on the way from Togher into Glasheen and Wilton suburbs.

Local pubs and restaurants include the Ardmanning House Bar & Lounge and Deanrock Bar all situated on Togher road while up by the Lough the Hawthorn Bar & Restaurant is a nice place to eat and drink whilst taking in the views of the lake and wildlife retreat.

Schools: The areas around Togher and its surrounds of Ballyphehane and Turners Cross are home to about 12 schools both primary and secondary. Due to its closeness to these areas it has a large group of clubs and sports clubs to choose from.

Attractions: The main attraction in the Togher area is it’s close proximity to the Lough the limestone lake and bird sanctuary. Living in the Togher area can be a joy since you are in easy walking distance of the Lough (depending on location 1-10 minutes walking distance), a place for people of all ages to relax and take a walk around while enjoying the great outdoors. The lough in turn is not too far from the city centre (15 – 20 minutes walk) taking in scenic areas of cork city. Togher is also not too far from its more affluent neighbours Glasheen and Wilton to the southwest. The Togher and the Ballyphehane areas can be said to be central to both the city centre and the suburbs of Wilton usually being between 15- 25 minutes walking distance either way to both areas.

The area of Doughcloyne where Togher meets Wilton is home to a childrens creche and playarea called Chuckies which offers a fun day out for children from 12 months to 10 years and their parents who can avail of a nearby cafe whilst watching their kids play.

It’s also very close to Ballyphehane and Turners Cross directly to the east of it, both of these regions sharing a parish and community centre. Due to its closeness to these areas the rugby pitch of Thomond Park in Ballyphehane and the soccer pitch in Turners Cross is easily accessible by foot (10-20 minute walk roughly) or car.

Another point to note in these areas is that parking is free mostly and the routes to and from the regions of Togher, Ballyphane, Turners Cross, Glasheen and Wilton and beyond is reasonably hassle free.

Location and Transport: As previously stated Togher is centrally located to avail of both areas of Cork city. It is of almost equal distance to the city centre as it is to the southwestern suburbs of Wilton and Bishopstown. Because of this is as easy to walk to either of these areas as it is to drive there. Driving wise, it you can access the city centre through different routes into the centre. Heading outwards out of the city it is within a few minutes drive, straight on to the South Link Ring road and onto Mahon, the airport and beyond out of the city. It also provides a straightforward drive to Wilton roundabout onwards to Bishopstown and beyond to the southwest of the country.

Bus routes: The No. 14 bus which runs from the city centre via the Lough onto Wilton, and depending on your proximity to Ballyphehane the No. 3 bus.

With its’ relaxed surrounds, proximity to the relaxed region of the Lough and its relative centrality to the two main regions of cork city the city centre and the southern suburbs, Togher is a good option to look at offering great access to a number of key areas in a relaxed setting.

Houses for Sale in Togher

Houses for Rent in Togher