College Life in Ireland for University Students Ultimate Guide

Trinity-College-Dublin — Photo by Fallon Michael on Unsplash

Want to get a broad perspective into the college life in our Emerald Isle third-level campuses? Ireland’s seven public universities are all ranked within the world’s top 700 in the QS World University Rankings® 2019, as is one of the 14 institutes of technology. HomeHak has put together an insight for you. We have covered some of the main universities North, South, East and West of the Emerald Isle.

Cork

There is no doubt about the strong presence of students in this vibrant city. To better serve their college life, there is an array of pubs and restaurants around nearly every corner. UCC boasts a central city location. On the other hand, CIT lies in the suburbs residing in Bishopstown. Cork is the perfect base to explore the beautiful countryside.

UCC

This well presented university is full of top class facilities on site and is a ‘stone throw away’ from exploring all the city has to offer also. Here is a link to UCC Student Union. UCC is designed so that students do not have to leave. Why should you when you have the student centre, the mardyke, the amphitheatre, the new bar and old bar all on campus?

Looking to get off campus and explore more into the city? Students usually head to Fitzgeralds park which is located close by. Feeling thirty? You will find students in Suas, Annie Macs, The Rock, Cissie Youngs or The Washington Inn. Want to find a hot spot for a sporting match and pizza? Head to Sober Lane where you can get a pitcher of beer for €14 or, if they also order a pizza, the pitcher is just €10. Feeling hungry? On campus you can head to Elements or Cafe Oasis. Food here is generally fairly priced and offers good deals for students. Off campus you can get good deals in Koto, Ramen, The Old Oak, BBQ joint The White Rabbit, Wabisabi or KC’s in Douglas.

Please find some useful links for studying at UCC:

Support facilities , Societies , Sports , Accommodation services

Universities-Ireland-HomeHak — Photo by Zihao Chen on Unsplash

MTU

You will find the main campus in Bishopstown. CIT’s Cork School of Music and the Crawford College of Art and Design are both in Cork city campuses. Students of CIT’s National Maritime College of Ireland are based in Cobh. There is an active student life here with many clubs and societies to get involved in. Here is a link to MTU Student Union.

At the Bishopstown campus, students flock to the courtyard on sunny days. They also gather at Nexus student centre and the common room, or at the sports stadium, pitch or one of the two gyms. There’s no on-campus bar but the Bishopstown Bar is a popular spot with CIT students. Most students eat in the canteen, the Bishopstown Bar or Model Farm. Alternatively, they cycle (approx 20 minutes) or get a bus (about 30 minutes) to the city centre.

Please find some useful links for studying at MTU:

Support facilities , Societies , Sports , Accommodation services

Dublin

The capital of Ireland, it has more third-levels than any other county. These include TU Dublin, UCD, Trinity, DCU, NCAD, Marino Institute of Education, IADT Dún Laoghaire, DBS, Griffith College and more. Yes prices can seem extortionate for college life but it does offer a great selection of cheap eats than any other city. Dublin is a cultural city and has a great array of pubs, clubs and restaurants.

Trinity College or TU students will have the best pick being closest to the centre. This is in comparison to UCD students out on the Belfield campus or DCU students on the Glasnevin site, where it’s a bus ride into the city. For this reason, we focused more on the hot spots in the city centre but we do have a little bit of something for everyone.

Trinity College

Let’s start with the most dominant and central feature in the city – Trinity College. A beautiful and historic campus that tourists flock to see. Because of this, Trinity is a lovely place to while away a few hours, with plenty of benches, pitches and little nooks. Trinity also boasts what is easily the best university library in the country. Here is a link to Trinity College Dublin Students Union.

The Pav is a popular drinking spot for students and, on sunny days, the hordes of Dubliners like to spread out onto the surrounding pitches. Students also hang around the JCR (Junior Common Room), arts block and surrounding bars. Nearby pubs Doyle’s (College Street), Grogans (William Street South) and The Gingerman (Fenian Street) are among the most popular watering holes. Captain America’s (Grafton Street) does good deals on drinks.

Trinity students are spoiled for choice when it comes to finding a place for lunch or a night out. On campus, there’s decent-ish but reliable food at reasonable prices in The Buttery, and students can also eat in the Dining Hall. Nearby cheap eats include Yum Thai (Duke Street), any of the burrito places including Tolteca and Pablo Picante. The best-value lunches are a short hop away with plenty of cheap Indian, Chinese and Korean places just over O’Connell Bridge around Parnell Street, Capel Street and Moore Street. On Dame Street, a short hop from Trinity, Umi Falafel’s all-day plate for two offers arguably the best value vegetarian and vegan food in the city.

Please find some useful links for studying at Trinity College:

Support facilities , Societies , Sports , Accommodation services

TU Dublin campuses

TU Dublin is gradually moving into the Grangegorman campus near Stoneybatter, Dublin 7. For the other campuses, there is certainly no lack of places to eat or drink on their doorsteps. Students of one campus can use the facilities at the others, including gyms. Here is a link to TU Dublin Students Union.

There are many pubs around Stoneybatter/Smithfield, as well as The Lighthouse Cinema for food, drink and films. The Bolton Street campus has a good selection of pubs around the area, as do the Kevin and Aungier Street campuses. Around Grangegorman? Head to Cowtown Cafe.

For students still on or near the Kevin Street, Store Street, and Aungier Street sites – or, indeed, for other college students in the city – Camden Street is a mecca for cheap eats, try The Green Bench cafe. There’s Govinda’s on Aungier Street and Neon17’s. Just around the corner, there is a Vietnamese take-out Pang. For Bolton Street students, just step off campus and wander across to any of the many Asian restaurants and cafes around Capel Street and Parnell Street. Give M&L and Hilan a try.

Please find some useful links for studying at TU Dublin Campuses:

Support facilities , Societies , Sports , Accommodation services

UCD

UCD students centre has really helped to transform the campus. It has nearly everything you need such as a 3D cinema, theatre, debating chamber, gym and Olympic-sized swimming pool. Because of its location away from Dublin city, UCD can, despite its scale, feel like a community. UCD students are likely to head into town to drink. On campus, the student centre and the Global Lounge – an indoor entertainment hub for game-playing, TV watching, seminars and films – is a popular spot. All the best on-campus food is to be found at Pulse in the Health Sciences building. Centra can be one of the cheaper on-campus food options. The best nearby off-campus option is the Olive Tree restaurant at the Clonskeagh mosque. Here is a link to UCD’s Student Union.

Please find some useful links for studying at UCD:

Support facilities , Societies , Sports , Accommodation services

DCU

As the main Glasnevin campus is a bus journey from the city, the students’ unions and societies are particularly active. DCU is also the world’s first autism-friendly campus as well as having the most diverse student population. On campus, most students hang out around the NuBar, the Mezz, the students’ union or the canteen. Across the road, students can be found in The Slipper bar DCU is fairly well-served by a few restaurants such as NuBar and cafes around campus, with the main canteen offering a good selection. 2km away, The Gravediggers pub is known for its quality food.

Please find some useful links for studying at DCU:

Support facilities , Societies , Sports , Accommodation services

DCU-University — Photo by Jane Last on Unsplash

NCAD

Students love their popular hotspot and college canteen, Luncheonette. Nearby you must also try Arthur’s and Manning’s Bakery. Vicar Street is a live music venue right on the college’s doorstep. Here is a link to the Student’s Union.

Please find some useful links for studying at NCAD:

Support facilities , Societies , Accommodation services

Galway

NUI Galway

An artistic and cultural hub for the nation of Ireland’s college life. There’s always music, film, literature and general arts festivals humming alongside a range of gigs in vibrant bars. Galway is also probably the cheapest university town in Ireland. Salthill will be a popular hang out spot. The Crane Bar and the Róisín Dubh are the city’s main live music venues. For food, try Smokie’s cafe or the student bar. McDonaghs on Quay Street is a Galway institution. Here is a link to NUI Galways Student Union.

Please find some useful links for studying at NUI:

Support facilities , Societies , Sports , Accommodation services

Limerick

Home to the University of Limerick, Mary Immaculate College (teacher training) and the Limerick Institute of Technology, there’s always a buzz to be found for college life here. UL isn’t in the city centre, but students don’t suffer too much as the campus is probably Ireland’s most beautiful and well-planned.

University of Limerick

A beautiful campus that students can happily find plenty of nice corners. There are plenty of clubs and societies to keep everyone busy outside class time. The UL arena boasts an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a top-class gym. The courtyard hosts a weekly farmers’ market. The campus bar, The Stables, has a cracking atmosphere. Off campus, Dolan’s Warehouse is one of Ireland’s best live music venues. Angel Lane is a popular nightclub for the city’s students. Most people eat at one of more than a dozen restaurants or cafes on the campus such as La Cucina, The Chicken Hut on O’Connell Street and Turkuaz Kebab House. Here is a link to UL’s Student Union.

Please find some useful links for studying at UL:

Support facilities , Societies , Sports , Accommodation services

Maynooth

Maynooth University

This university – relatively small by global standards has certainly grown providing an improved college life. The new library is particularly impressive. On campus, there’s a students’ union bar. The Brewery Coffee, The Roost, The Duke and Coachman are some late-night bars. The Phoenix restaurant, Chill Restaurant and Starbucks are on the main on-campus eatery. Beetroot, Yeah Burgr and Picaderos are popular spots for a meal out: Here is a link to Maynooths Student Union.

Please find some useful links for studying at Maynooth University:

Support facilities , Societies , Sports , Accommodation services

Waterford

Waterford Institute of Technology

With Tramore’s beaches and the Comeragh Mountains on the doorstep, there’s plenty of opportunity to really enjoy the weather. Public transport to and from the college is fairly frequent and reliable. WIT is a relatively intimate place to go to college. On the WIT campus, the Dome Sports & Social Club is the main bar. Off campus, The Foundry and Henry Downes are the go to night spots. Students also congregate on the campus’s many green spaces.The Hot House Bistro, Brown’s Road, Oscars Cafe and The Gallery all serve food on campus. Here is a link to WIT’s Student Union.

Please find some useful links for studying at WIT:

Support facilities , Societies , Sports , Accommodation services

To summarise

Higher education in Ireland consists of universities, specialist colleges (offering courses in a single subject area), and institutes of technology. The latter don’t just offer courses in technology subjects, but also cover a wide range of vocational programs, in subjects including hospitality, healthcare, pharmacy, media, textiles, marketing and many more. We hope you enjoyed reading out college life in Ireland for students guide!

For more reading on university life in Ireland, check out our article:

University Experience in Ireland – How to Make the Most of it.

July 26, 2022October 7, 2022

International Students in Cork City – Where to Do Your Shopping?

International Students in Cork City – Where to Do Your Shopping?

Name: HomeHak
Price range: $

Wondering how to make Cork city your home away from home? HomeHak has put together a list of some places that proved you can get anything at an affordable price. International students pay a close look, we are sharing the best places to do your shopping in the rebel city!

The Asian Store – South, Middle-East or East international students

This place is heaven for South, Middle-East or East Asians because you can get anything and everything your heart desires. From spices, lentils, cereals, to frozen ready to eat meals and fresh vegetables, you can indulge if you miss home! Also, if you’re looking for a butcher, they have one too.

Jia Jia – East Asian international students

The store caters primarily to East Asian Cuisines and you can pretty much find every type of noodles/ramen there is! The owners do same-day home deliveries. And the most important thing, you get a student discount!

Homestar

For Asians, it can be challenging to search for necessities at different places and then compare prices. With homestar, you don’t need to do this. There is nothing you won’t find in your mother’s kitchen that you couldn’t get in there at an affordable price. If you’re out shopping, check this place out!

Mr Price

Mr Price Branded Bargains is a rapidly expanding discounted variety retailer in Ireland. They are 100% Irish and deliver rock-bottom prices everyday! It’s all in the name! You can shop, shop and shop! They have stationery, home essentials, health, beauty products, containers and storage boxes.

Penneys an Irish favourite for international students

You cannot go to Penney’s and come out empty-handed. Their collection and prices will lure you into buying everything you lay your eyes on. The store has clothes, accessories, bags, essentials, make-up, homeware and more. Their winter jackets and coats can be a saving grace for light-packers who didn’t have much from back home for the cold Irish weather.

Winter-Jackets — Photo by The Nix Company on Unsplash

Boots

Moving to another country takes a toll on your health, needless to say, you need your vitamins and minerals in order because you don’t see changes immediately. Consult your doctor, nutritionist, dietician, coach and get your body and mental health in order here. They have a wide range of skin and hair care products and are a one-stop shop for health and beauty retail.

Flying Tiger

For all things pretty and up to date at 2-3 euros! I’ve bought most of my mugs and plates from here and they have a dedicated section for spices! This small store located on St. Patrick’s street brings so much joy!

International students – Have you heard of UCC International Office Swap Shop?

Every year when thousands of UCC international students move out of on-campus accommodation they are told to leave their apartments completely clear.

Often, students don’t have anywhere to put the stuff they’ve acquired, resulting in perfectly good utensils like pots, pans, cutlery, plates, and mugs being thrown in the skip and going straight to landfill.

In 2018 UCC International Office Swap Shop came up with the idea of the Swap Shop. Each September and May they open The Swap Shop and they provide a space for students to donate their preloved items to them instead of throwing it out. Then they open up in August/September and January for the new intake of international students to come and browse.

Check out more details here.

To summarise

International Students coming to Cork often find it challenging to settle down and find stores that they can rely on for groceries and essentials. More importantly, if you’re taking a trip to the City Center, you can do your shopping in bulk and some of the stores mentioned below deliver your goods to your home!

If you are an international student studying in Ireland, check out our article:

International Students Studying in Irish Universities Top Tips

July 26, 2022October 3, 2022

Tips for Parents of Students starting University in Ireland

Whether it’s your first, only or last child, whether they are moving away or staying near to you, HomeHak has put together a guide to help you with your children heading to university. Read more to find your tips for parents guide of students starting university in Ireland.

Help them to prepare

Set your student up for university. It can feel like there is so much to consider even before your child’s departure to university. It may be their first time living independently so it is important that they grasp the basics of living away from home. Tips for parents include start by giving them a few cooking demonstrations in the kitchen. Make sure to stick to easy recipes. Show them how a washing machine works and the differences between detergent, fabric softener etc. Try and implement these learning lessons sooner rather than later so they can learn as they go.

Lugagge — Photo by Erol Ahmed on Unsplash

Stay-at-home students

Just because your child isn’t going away to study doesn’t mean you can’t teach them to live independently. It is easy to forget that they are a university student now so they will be itching for freedom so make sure to give them their space. To avoid worry when your child is going out, communicate that they send a text letting you know if they will be home or not. Remember, it’s still ok to set boundaries and clear rules for them letting you know their whereabouts.

Budgeting

This is super important, even for live at home students. In some cases, students may be eligible for student grants or bursary (check out this article for more information on eligibility). A student living at home should be aiming to work on average 10 hours of work a week and should avoid excessive term-job work hours. Remember, the child is at university to study, make memories and meet new friends.

After they have gone tips for parents

You may be feeling an abundance of emotions and this is completely normal. For them, the nerves will quickly fade as they are caught up in freshers/welcome week activities and their course gets underway. You might find that you find the transition harder than they do. A new student is embarking on the beginning of an adventure where as for you, it’s an ending. Be prepared for the time it might take for you to adjust.

Support your child through their exams

University is filled with new and enjoyable experiences, but exams and deadlines can make it a challenging time too. Exams can be a stressful time for any young person, especially when they are having to balance this with the pressures of living independently too.

Here are a few ways to help your child gain some extra headspace during this time

Encourage them to take regular revision breaks and find a balance between studying and doing things they find enjoyable and relaxing.
Check in with them regularly and encourage them to eat and drink at regular intervals.
Reassure them and let them know that you are proud of them whatever the outcome.

It’s not forever

Whether your child is home at the weekend or you don’t see them again until Christmas, know that it is only temporary. Your child will be back in the same bedroom and abandoning clothes in the same place, but they’ll have moved on and grown up in subtle ways. Try to enjoy watching these changes, as you did when they were small. You too are the same person but will have moved on as well, so embrace it.

Keep in touch

Try to keep contact. Figure out what works best for you. A simple daily text message, a weekly phone call or whatever it may be. This helps to maintain your relationship and keeps you updated on their exciting adventures through university.

To Summarise

It can be a mixture of emotions, a time of celebration and anticipation. How will they manage without you? How will you manage without them, more to the point? We hope with these tips that you will find excitement in your child’s move and be there to support them every step of the way! We hope you enjoyed reading our tips for parents guide of Students starting University in Ireland!

For more parent guides, check out our other articles you might be intersted in:

July 26, 2022October 3, 2022

Top Tips for Parents of Irish University Students Studying Abroad

Studying abroad poses many questions for students, but quite a few for parents as well. The type of questions that can cause serious stress and anxiety. Don’t worry. It’s not as bad as it may seem. And to help you, here are HomeHaks top tips to help get you through this exciting, and sometimes overwhelming, time.

Educate Yourself

Research the destination country, including its history, culture, customs, laws, social/moral codes, dress and language. Along with your student, learn a few of the local words and phrases. Never hesitate to ask questions of your student, the advisor or even a program administrator.

Letting go

Allow your student to make the most of the study abroad decisions – be a guide, not a supervisor. Give your student the information and resources he or she needs to make informed decisions. Don’t expect to hear from your student every day while he or she is abroad, and don’t make your student feel bad for that. Talk with parents whose children have previously studied abroad and try to prepare for the emotions they say they experienced.

Parents-Irish-University-Students-Abroad-HomeHak — Photo by L. Filipe C. Sousa on Unsplash

Top Tips for Packing

If your student wears glasses, get him or her an extra pair or two to take with, particularly if they are prescription lenses. If your student is taking any prescription medications, be sure to send him or her overseas with an extra supply and a copy of the prescription. Check out this article for must know tips for packing to study abroad.

Communication

Establish a plan of communication with your student prior to departure. Encourage your child to start an instagram travel blog page while away so that you (and any other family members or friends) can follow along with the adventures. Students and parents should both have a set of emergency contacts with them at all times, including contacts from the school and program.

Finances

Have your child manage some money on his or her own before departing. Devise a financial plan with your child for the time he or she will be abroad. To limit spending and avoid lost money, teach your child to take money out of the ATM a little at a time. Don’t begin exchanging currency before your child departs-have him or her wait until he or she reached the destination.

Student responsibility

Discuss financial, social and academic responsibility with your child. Encourage your student to resolve his or her own issues while abroad and step in only when necessary. Have your student do the bulk of the study abroad research. Let your student know that you trust him or her to make the right decisions while studying abroad.

Food

Tell your student to stick to the busy restaurants, as eating at these is likely safer than at less popular restaurants. Freshly cooked foods are the best bet because they are less likely to contain contaminants. Although they may be legally permitted to drink abroad, students should be advised to drink with great care while studying abroad.

Safety

Students must be encouraged to cultivate and utilize their “street smarts” while studying abroad. Tell them to avoid political demonstrations, to only take official taxis and to protect their passport at all times. Establish emergency procedures with your student prior to departure. Use the State Department’s website to stay current on safety issues in specific countries. Tell your student to avoid bringing locals back to his or her living quarters.

Visitation

If you visit, choose to do so at a time that is convenient for your student. Remember that while it may be a vacation for you, your student still has responsibilities. You will miss your student, and he or she will miss you, but for ultimate growth, the student needs to spend quality time immersed in the culture and with fellow study abroad students.

To summarise

Allow your child a period of adjustment when first getting home. Students are used to being more independent, so take that into consideration. Encourage your student to keep in touch with the people he or she traveled with and met while studying abroad. Lend an attentive ear to your child when he or she gets home. These are HomeHaks top tips, we hope you have enjoyed them.

For more parent guides, check out our other articles you might be intersted in:

Practical Guide for Parents with Irish Students Studying Abroad in University

Tips for Parents of Students starting University in Ireland

July 22, 2022October 7, 2022

Great Study Space For Your Third Level Irish Education – How to Create One.

How to Create a Great Study Space For Your Third Level Irish Education

HomeHak is going to show you how to create (or find) a study spot that lets you get in and do your best work. We’ll examine the do’s and don’t’s of study space creation, and the key principles to make sure your study space does what it should: help you study better.

Desk-Laptop-Book — Photo by Iewek Gnos on Unsplash

1. Remove Distractions from Your Study Space

As in so many areas of life, it’s useful to start with what to leave out and then add things from there. Naturally, what puts you in a studious mood will differ from person to person, but here are some things you should probably avoid in your study space:

Video games.
Your phone.
Messy food/drinks
Other people unless for group projects

These are all things that, while fun or even productive-seeming, are ultimately distracting. The goal of a study space is to maximize the attention you can devote to studying while minimizing the amount of effort necessary to do so. You can’t do that if the space is full of distractions.

2. Have Easy Access to Everything You Need Before You Start

Now that we’ve gone over what to leave out, let’s get to what to include. This is a long list, and much of it depends on what exactly you’re studying. For instance, you’ll need different materials for writing an English paper than for preparing for a chemistry exam. To help you out, I’ve divided the list into two sections: essential and optional items.

Essential Study Space Items

Comfortable yet ergonomic chair, an external mouse, your computer, Textbooks, Notebooks, Index cards, Pad of paper to write down distracting thoughts, Plenty of writing utensils, Calculator and Good lighting.

Optional Items

Whiteboard and dry erase markers, water, Healthy snacks, Inspiring decorations, Paper calendar, Study music or ambient noise and Headphones.

3. Pay Attention to Lighting

According to a German study , researchers found that the students were more creative under warm light (3000k), yet concentrated better under cold light (6000k). To put this into action, try to study near a window, so you have some natural light coming in.Another tip is to experiment with different brightness levels and color temperatures until you find something that works well for you.

Lamp-Desk — Photo by Samantha Gades on Unsplash

4. Adjust Your Study Space to the Ideal Temperature (if possible)

Aside from color temperature, the actual warm-cold temperature of the room you’re in is also a big factor. Not only can an environment that’s too hot or cold cause you to be consciously distracted, but it can also cause you to make more mistakes in your work unconsciously. Researchers reviewed several studies on how temperature affects office worker productivity. They found that, on average, productivity is highest in a temperature range between 22°C and 25°C. Below or above that range, errors increase.

To summarise

Firstly, remove distractions from your study space. Secondly, have easy access to everything you need before you start. Additonally, pay attention to lighting. Finally, adjust your study space to the ideal temperature. We hope you enjoyed HomeHaks top tips to create a better study space!

July 22, 2022August 26, 2022

A Guide to Cork City for Students – Restaurants, Cafes, Bars and Brunches

The bustling city is bursting with independent coffee shops, artisan produce, live music and an impressive dining scene. Keep reading to find out some of the best places to eat and drink as a student in our guide to Cork City.

A Guide to Cork City for Students – Restaurants, Cafes, Bars and Brunches

Food

Studying in Cork? Cork has a reputation as the food capital of Ireland and finding out why should be at the top of your list during your time here at university. Not only are there countless top restaurants and vibrant pubs but also some excellent produce markets where you can taste some of the finest morsels made right here in this great city.

Starting off with Captain Americas. Captain Americas offers some of the best student rates around. Here you can enjoy a main menu item of your choice, fries and a soft drink for only 9.95 monday-friday! Make sure you have your student ID on you as this is required to get the deals.

Next up is The Linen Weaver – JD Wetherspoon. This pub/restaurant famously sells drinks for far less than the average in other establishments across Cork. You will find pints for as cheap as €3. Their food menu matches the drink prices with meals cheaply priced and perfect for students on a budget.

Want a more diverse selection of places to eat? Check out this article.

Brunch

If you think that Irish food is largely based around spuds then you are in for a rude awakening. Or a tasty one, at least! Cork City has long been dubbed the “food capital” of Ireland, partly due to having one of the world’s largest natural harbours and partly thanks to its very long history of trading exports and imports. Brunch in Cork City is a thing of beauty, if you know where to look!

We recommend that you check out Liberty Grill or The SpitJack Cork. Feeling thirsty with your brunch? Check out Dwyers Of Cork, Clancy’s Cork, Brick Lane and Crawford & Co to name a few.

Pizza

Cork is in the midst of a pizza boom with a number of exciting new makers joining an already impressive roster of top class cafes, takeaways and restaurants. And as always on Leeside, Some of these restaurants named below are really showing the depth of talent and creativity we have when it comes to top class food. Bring a taste of Italy to you and check out Franciscan Well Brewery & Brewpub. Home to delicious craft beers as well as their atmospheric outdoor seating area. Another tasty place is Fionnbarra.This is a hidden gem of a bar with a cosy charm and delicious pizza. Want some more inspiration? Check out some more here.

Funky hot spots

Looking for something a bit funkier? We recommend that you check out Arthur Mayne’s Pharmacy. This cosy candle-lit bar is set in a Victorian chemist shop. Mutton Lane is one of the oldest drinking establishments in Cork City and has a beautiful ultra-candlelit interior.

Drinks

Fancy great pints, craic and a traditional music session? The Rock is always a hit on a Wednesday night and always has student drink deals. The pub also has a pool table and darts board for the students who like to play some pub games. If you want to watch any sporting match, go to Reardon’s. It always has a great atmosphere for a game. During the daytime they also do great food. Check out this link for the top 10 best student pubs in Cork. UCC student ambassador gives a great recap of her favourite bars in Cork in this article also.

To summarise

Money is tight. As a student, it is all about finding the best places to eat and drink that your pocket can afford. We hope that you can check out some of these hot spots and get yourself a bargain. We hope you enjoyed reading A Guide to Cork for Students – Restaurants, Cafes, Bars and Brunches!

For more information on Cork City, check out our articles:

July 22, 2022August 26, 2022

Activities to Do in Cork for University Students – Top Hot Spots!

Activities to Do in Cork for University Students – Top Hot Spots!

Cork is a vibrant city and home to over 25,000 students during the academic year. It has the cosmopolitan culture and energy of a capital city, with none of the drawbacks. Want to find out the most popular things to do? Then keep reading HomeHak’s top activities to do in Cork for students guide below!

In Cork you will find all the facilities you would expect of a modern European city. You can still easily navigate your way to and around the city centre, bumping into friends along the way. Everything you need is within easy reach. This includes cafés, restaurants, nightlife, cinemas, theatre, music venues, sports facilities and fantastic shopping.

Bingo

Looking for a great game of bingo and some cheap drinks? Head to the Bishopstown Bar for a fun Tuesday night out. This isn’t your standard boring game of bingo but instead is filled with plenty of craic.

Range of Activities to do

In the mood for a range of activities? Head to the Mardyke Entertainment Complex which offers discounted prices for students. You can do anything from bowling, pool,sociable darts, karaoke, ping pong and arcade. Guaranteed good fun and food!

Nightlife

A student’s stay in Cork will likely involve a sample of the city’s nightlife. Cork has a wide variety of pubs, clubs and music venues. Live music varies from traditional and classical to heavy metal and experimental. These can be found in venues such as An Spailpín Fánach, Cyprus Avenue, The Cork Opera House, The Everyman Theatre and The Crane Lane. There are also many dedicated student nights at various venues around the city centre. These are usually well advertised around campus.

Tourist activities to do

Wondering what else is worth a visit for your time as a student in Cork? We recommend checking out The English Market, Cork City Gael and St. Finbarrs Cathedral.

For the artsy and creativity students, pay a visit to The Glucksman Gallery, The Crawford Gallery and The Triskel Arts Centre.

To make the most out of your stay in Cork, play a day trip to the picturesque town of Cobh. This was the last port of call for the Titanic. Get the “Gift of the gab” by kissing the Blarney stone at Blarney Castle. Are you a whiskey lover? Visit the world-famous Jameson Distillery in Midleton.

Like to wander around meandering colourful streets? Head to Kinsale – the ‘Gourmet Capital of Ireland’. And finally, don’t miss out on the rugged beauty of the coastlines and little villages. This includ Barleycove, Inchydoney, Baltimore, Glandore and Mizen Head. A tour of West Cork may be the highlight of your stay!

Here are some more.

City touring

Take the Hop on Hop Off bus and explore the city’s streets and attractions. Cork City Tours is a popular Cork City sightseeing tour taking in some of the best attractions in Cork.

Make sure to take in the sights, sounds and smells of The English Market. This is Ireland’s most famous covered food market, in the heart of Cork City Centre.

Fitzgerald Park is just minutes away from UCC Campus Accommodation and Cork City centre. It is situated on the picturesque bank of the river Lee. The park spans approximately eighteen acres. It has a new state of the art playground, manicured gardens and Cork Public Museum located at its centre.

St. Anne’s church and steeple, built in 1722 reaches 37m high into the Cork skyline. It is a much loved local landmark and tourist attraction. Try your hand at playing the world famous Shandon bells. The panoramic view of the city is well worth the climb.

Lifetime Lab, on the banks of the River Lee, is a unique attraction for visitors of all ages. It has a modern interactive exhibition, themed playground, beautifully restored buildings and scenic views over the River Lee.

Call into Cork Vision Centre at St. Peters. This offers visitors an opportunity to appreciate a fine example of conservation in action. It will also allow you to explore Cork’s evolution from past, through present, and onwards to future development.

Outside Cork City

Fota Wildlife Park is Ireland’s premier Wildlife attraction and a must see for all visitors to Cork! It’s only 15 minutes from Cork City and you’ll come face to face with a vast array of animals as they roam around the park.

Experience the second largest natural harbour in the world by taking a gentle boat trip with Whale of a Time, or an exhilarating boat trip with Cork Sea Safari. Both offer fun and informative harbour and dolphin watching tours of Cork Harbour. You can explore the city’s many river channels and bridges with Atlantic Sea Kayaking.

Visit Doneraile Wildlife Park. The Park comprises approximately 166 hectares. It is an outstanding example of an 18th century landscaped park in the ‘Capability Brown’ style.

Blackrock Castle and Observatory is on the banks of the River Lee. The venue has a unique location and ambiance with a magnificent courtyard and fully restored buildings.

For many student travellers you might have to research extracurricular activities to do in a host city while navigating campus. You also have to look for the best dining options, and learning the ins-and-outs of public transportation. This can seem very daunting to some. We have added some resources to help you out.

Here are some more handy resources:

WhazOn.com

Pure Cork

Cork’s Red FM

CorkCity.ie

Ireland.com

CorkEntertainment.ie

To summarise

If you choose to study in Cork, you certainly won’t be shy of things to do and see. Listed by the Lonely Planet Guide among the top ten cities to visit in 2010, you will be sure to fall in love with all of what Cork has to offer. HomeHak is the best student platform to help you find your dream accommodation in this beautiful city. We hope you enjoyed reading out Activities to Do in Cork for Students guide!

For more information on Cork City – check out our articles:

July 22, 2022September 7, 2022

Shopping Essentials for Students in your New Accommodation in Ireland

The novelty of walking into your kitchen at home and everything you ever need is always there has come to an end. It is now time to arm your own kitchen with all the basic essentials. Read more to find your shopping essentials for your new accommodation in Ireland.

Packing your life away can be stressful enough without having to think of all the basics you need to have in your kitchen to make a decent meal. Bringing along a grocery list or a weekly menu is a good idea if you get easily side-tracked in the store or don’t know where to begin.

When creating a shopping list you should consider creating a healthy and well-rounded diet . This should primarily comprise of whole, nutrient-dense foods. Include for example,veggies, fruits, protein sources like fish and eggs, beans, nuts, and seeds.

HomeHak has put together a go to list of essentials to get your cooking journey started. It’s time to stock up the refrigerator and cabinets – let’s get started!

Let’s start with groceries.

Let’s start with the essentials!

Protein – chicken, beef, fish.
Grains – rice, pasta.
Milk
Cereal
Bread
Oats
Coffee
Tea

Fresh fruit and vegetables:

Potatoes
Berries – strawberries, blueberries.
Bananas
Apples
Onions
Peppers

Spices and herbs:

Salt
Pepper
Garlic powder
Dry basil

Sauces:

Ketchup
Mayonnaise
Olive oil
Soy sauce

Frozen food:

These are truly a gift in university. They take away the pain of chopping up vegetables and there is no worry of your fruit and veg going out of date.

Fruit
Vegetables
Meat- chicken, beef, fish

Home essentials

It is easy to forget about everything we take for granted at home but do not forget these basics to get your kitchen in proper running order.

Washing up liquid
Hand soap
Laundry supplies (if needed) – detergent.
Toiletries – razor, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel
Toilet paper
Cleaning supplies

Supermarkets

Best supermarkets to do your food shop in? Check out these:

Aldi

Aldi is your best bet when it comes to buying only essentials. This store focuses on the staple items. They offer some of the cheapest products and weekly sales that really help when you are on a budget.

Lidl

Lidl is the cheapest of them all when it comes to buying your shopping essentials. It focuses on essentials. Lidl has weekly specials where they offer amazing discounts not only on food items but also on electronics and more expensive products in general.

SuperValu

SuperValu is Ireland’s largest grocery and food distributor serving local communities throughout Ireland This reputation has been earned through their fresh food quality, strong value offering, consistent support of local producers and the expertise and customer service across their stores.

Dunnes Stores

Dunnes is a high-end supermarket which makes it a bit more expensive than Tesco. The stores usually sell clothing, homewares and groceries. You can find reasonable and trustworthy products of their own brands. They have a grocery delivery system and a click and collect from their nearest stores.

Tesco

Tesco is a UK based retail store and probably the largest supermarket chain in Ireland. They have the widest range of products including well-known brands and a variety of their own brands. You can also find some of the cheapest prices for your groceries here.

To summarise

When creating your shopping essentials list try and break it into sections. For example non starchy / starchy vegetables, fruits, beans and grains, nuts and seeds, proteins, frozen foods, dairy and nondairy substitutes, drinks, condiments, and miscellaneous items.

Want to learn more? Read the definitive guide to healthy grocery shopping here.

If you are an international student, check out our article “Where to shop for international students”. We share the best places for you to do your shopping and get all your necessities!

July 22, 2022October 3, 2022

Importance Of a Reference for Irish University Student Accommodation

As a renter, moving from one home to another is inevitable. However, you may come across new landlords who want to know about your renting history. Before approving your application, they may ask for a landlord recommendation letter provided by your previous landlord. HomeHak will share our tops tips for the importance of a reference.

A landlord recommendation letter, also called a rental reference, is an important component of your rental application. In a competitive rental market, a good reference can make a huge difference.

Keys-House — Photo by Maria Ziegler on Unsplash

What is a landlord recommendation letter?

A landlord recommendation letter is a letter written to a potential landlord by your current landlord. A property manager or a supervisor can also write you a rental reference. Your new landlord will likely ask for this reference in order to complete your background check.

Landlord recommendation letters tell your landlord that you are a responsible and financially stable tenant and that you adhere to the terms of a lease. A rental reference letter can help boost your application and make up for any shortcomings, such as a low credit score. This is one of the main reasons behind the importance of a reference. It assures the landlord that you’ll pay your rent on time, respect deadlines, and not incur defaults.

What references should you include in a rental application?

Submitting a great rental application is key to getting the rental property you want. Once your personal information, proof of income and background checks are complete, the references you include with your application can make or break the deal.

A rental reference (or referral) is a vote of confidence from someone who knows you in a personal, financial, educational, professional, or prior rental experience capacity. Ideally, your rental reference will know you well enough to speak to your character and express it to a property manager/owner. Who you choose as your reference and what they say about you can make all the difference to your application. Here are a few things HomeHak recommends to consider when you get to this stage.

Importance of a reference – what relevance does your rental reference have to you?

When a property manager starts screening applicants and calling references, they will ask each person how they know you. If you include your Dad and college friend, their opinion may look a little biased. Where possible, choose people who can talk about how you’ve performed at your current job (your employer, for example). Look for a reference who can say you’ve demonstrated great personal responsibility through other means. If possible, add a previous landlord to your reference list who can vouch for your ability to look after a property.

How to approach your rental references

If you have a few people in mind but want to select the most appropriate person for your application, think about some open-ended questions for them. Things like, ‘If I were to list you as a reference, what would you say you’ve noticed about me and responsibility?’ The answers you get will give you some idea of who to include. Try to select people who know you well. You don’t want to pick casual friends or a tutor who took you for one class back in the day. Avoid including your boyfriend or family members unless you plan to include personal references. Here is an article on choosing a personal reference for a rental application.

Choose your rental references wisely.

Once you’ve thought of a few people who know you well, work out whether they’d provide a positive reference for you. Remember, some people find it hard to say no to others, or they might not tell you that the reference they provide could be less than glowing. A better move here is to offer your potential reference a way out. Let them know you won’t be offended should they prefer not to be contacted. Gauge their reaction and decide whether you still want to use them on your rental application.

Who makes the perfect rental reference?

A former landlord/property manager: If you had a good experience with your former property manager and know they would speak highly of you as a tenant, they’re probably the perfect choice.

A career mentor: Career mentors could make an excellent reference for your rental application. Their experience with you will most likely be a professional one, and they’ll be able to speak highly of your good qualities and ability to perform under pressure.

An employer: Employers have probably worked with you for a long time and would also make an excellent reference. Top tip: Ensure they’re happy with your work ethic and attitude first!

Volunteer supervisor: Have you done volunteer work in the past? If you worked under one supervisor, they would also make a great choice.

Think about the people in your life who think best of you in terms of what is needed to be a good tenant, such as: personal and financial responsibility, professionalism and accountability.

To summarise

No rental reference? Don’t stress. Even if you’ve never rented before, you can still find people who make perfect rental application references. Choose co-workers, employers, coaches or mentors. These are the ideal people to tell your potential landlord or property manager what you’d be like as a tenant. They will base their experience on what it was like to work with, coach or mentor you. Their opinion will also help demonstrate the character of someone who would make a great tenant.

July 22, 2022October 3, 2022

Choosing your Housemates at Irish University – Best Tips

Moving out of home and taking your first step towards independence can be exciting but also a bit of a minefield. It is important to thread carefully if you want to make accommodation sharing work. Here are HomeHaks top tips to help you in choosing your housemates at Irish University.

Make poor choices and you could find yourself falling out over dirty bins and dishes. Pick well and you will have so much fun and make lifelong friends. Don’t know how to go about picking housemates?

Know the sort of people you think you will get on with

Looking for housemates is a bit like online dating. You need to go into it knowing what you’re looking for and make that clear from the get-go. If you think you’ve found a potential match, ask your prospective house-sharer some questions. This is to see just how compatible you might be. Don’t make them feel it’s an interrogation. You just need to get a feel for what they’re going to be like once you’ve moved in together.

People can be very different once the front door is shut. Get to know them better before you agree to go house-hunting. This could spare you a lot of grief further down the line. Here are 30 questions to ask a roommate before moving in together.

Get ahead of the competition

Don’t put off until tomorrow something you could do today. There’s always fierce competition for the best houses and apartments in university cities. If you want to stand a chance of finding nice housemates and a nice place to live, then it’s never too early to start.

You’d be amazed how many people leave it until the very last minute to decide on who they’re sharing with and where they’re going to look for houses. If you want to end up living in housemate heaven rather than housemate hell, you need to start broaching the subject with people as early in the spring term. This is so you can start arranging to view a few properties together. This article gives some more tips on starting your search early.

Choosing your housemates – Same course or different?

Sometimes living with the people you ‘work’ with isn’t always the best move. You’re probably most familiar and friendly with the people doing the same course or modules as you but remember that everyone needs some space now and then. If you’re living with the same people you’re in seminars with day in, day out, you might get sick of each other’s company very quickly.

Try to have a mix in your house if you can – not only does it widen your social circle but it can broaden your mind. If people are studying different courses to you, you’ll each learn something about the other’s subjects. You’ll also be forced to find other things you can bond over, such as societies, hobbies or even your shared love of obscure foreign language films…

Set house rules from the start

Almost all household disagreements are avoidable in some way. You need to set out a few ground rules right at the beginning. Before you agree to move in with other people, you need to make sure they’re the sort of housemates you can trust.

Chat with them and decide how to carve out who will organise things like paying the bills and how the rent will be managed. Pencilling a schedule for cleaning and cooking before you move in together will give you a good idea of whether or not they’re likely to pull their weight. If they look like they’re shirking responsibility, then maybe you need to look for someone else.

The following article is designed to help you and your roommate(s) establish guidelines for while you are living together.

To summarise

If a house share is going to be a success you need to know you’ll all get along and it’s not going to descend into chaos. Try to spend as much time as possible getting to know each other before you commit to moving in together. House sharing is a nightmare when it doesn’t work out but choose your housemates carefully and you could have a fantastic couple of years.