Cork is an interesting city. While it's easy to park at the apartment I wouldn't recommend trying to drive around the city centre. Lots of one way, narrow streets. Pearse's house is a good half hour walk into town, it's a nice walk along the river. The house was fine for our needs with a supermarket nearby, but it's not a lively part of town if that is what you are looking for. That said it suited our needs fine.