We've been here over 6 months now and thank you for all the advice. Apart from the recent drugs bust (!) life is great here. Regarding traffic being a problem, ha! Yes, the traffic is heavy, but nothing, nothing, compared to Dublin. It is a pleasure to drive to work, the drivers here are very courteous. It is by no means over crowded and apart from the Cork "centre of the universe" attitude, everything is rosey.
PS I havent seen a single junkie, syringe or human poo on the street since leaving Dublin. Happy days!