OLC CREDIT UNION There are two big bank branches in the…read moreMayfield area but one of the busiest financial houses is the local Our Lady Crowned Credit Union which has been providing a terrific service since 1967 and also in Little Island since 1998. Friday is a particularly busy day here in an office that has seen much change over the years. It is now much more efficient, thanks to training and technology, and service is courteous and rapid and the long delays in waiting for an answer to your query (loans, savings, billpay etc) are long gone.

FEXCO STOCKBROKING Fexco Stockbroking have moved just across…read morethe street in the South Mall but their service hasn't changed. Called in recently to "do a deal" and all went well from the initial contact with reception to the more serious bit with the stockbroker on duty. By the way, if there is no broker in Cork, you will be put in contact with one in the Dublin office. The deal went through when the desired price was reached and the cheque was in the post well within the agreed time frame. Efficient, yes. As part of the government's anti money laundering drive, Fexco are also quite efficient when setting new accounts. If you are in that position, ring in advance as you'll need several forms of identification before you'll be signed on.

CIVIC TRUST HOUSE On a recent walk, towards Shandon, I took…read moretime out to check out the Civic Trust House, a little gem on Quay on Pope's Quay. Quite a lot of history attached to this beautiful Queen Anne house, originally built around 17390 until its restoration by the Cork Civic Trust ion the 1990s. And it is not just a pretty place. Is serves as the headquarters for a string of the city's creative organisations: the Cork Film Centre, the Jazz Festival, Corcadorca, the Midsummer Festival, the Choral festival and more. And on Friday (8.00 to 10pm), it will host part of this week's Cork Cycling Arts festival: My Lovely Bike, a beauty pageant for bikes! It time to polish the chrome and wax the paint job as you get the opportunity to put your bicycle tyre to tyre to see who owns the most beautiful bike in Cork. Contestants will be given five minutes to describe to the audience what they love about their bicycle. Extra points will be given for over dramatic stories of rambling country adventures, near death crashes and desperate thievery on the streets. The winning bicycle will be crowned Queen of the festival and will be showered with prizes. So why not join the fun and see the house at the same time.

O'MAHONY, BOYLAN & GOLDEN Called to O'Mahony, Boylan and…read moreGolden today to renew an insurance policy. Most of the details had already been worked out over the phone. There wasn't that much to finish off but I was seen immediately and was soon on my way with a new policy in my pocket. Service was excellent and friendly as was the case on the phone. In previous years, it was a nuisance trying to get on to this office by phone but all that seems to have changed and I had no problem in recent times. Besides, they are quite competitive and do shop around to get a good price for the customer.

MCCARTHY'S INSURANCE GROUP 2 South Mall, Cork…read moreOnline renewal is all the rage these for all kinds of insurance products, particularly car insurance. My company (Aviva) gave me my figure in good time this year. And I was about to pay up. Until I met someone working with a local broker, McCarthy's, and they came back to me with the exact same figure but with one or two handy extras. And the big surprise was that the company they got that price from was none other than Aviva! What is the point of doing all the work on the net yourself if a broker, who does it for you, can come up with a better price. And, of course, you have the services of the broker if something goes wrong. This sounds like an ad for a broker. It isn't. But you know where I'll be going in future!