Located about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) south of Cork city, and with a population of 18,239 people,[1] it is one of the largest commuter towns in the county.

[12] The R611 regional road passes through the town, and it is just off the N28 national primary route to Ringaskiddy.

[15] The town is one of the key gateways to west Cork, especially for those who arrive by ferry from France.

Carrigaline Pottery, situated in Main Street, closed in 1979, but was subsequently re-opened and run as a co-operative for many years after that.

The four-star Carrigaline Court Hotel is located across from the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady and St John.