Cookstown is famous for having one of the longest and widest main streets in Ireland, and that wide Main Street offers plenty of on-street, pay-and-display bays right in the heart of town. If those are full, there are several council car parks just off the main drag, including those around Molesworth Street, James Street and Loy Street, all within an easy walk of the shops, banks and the weekly Saturday market.
For longer visits, the larger car parks near the Burnavon Arts and Cultural Centre and around the leisure and retail areas tend to have more space than the kerbside bays. Disabled bays are dotted along Main Street and in the council car parks. Because Cookstown's centre is so long and linear, it's worth parking nearer whichever end of town you actually need rather than circling the busy middle. ParkEasy is a free, community-powered app where local drivers share which spots are currently free, saving you a lap of Main Street on a busy market day.
Find live parking in Cookstown →Many of the off-street council car parks just off Main Street offer free or low-cost parking, and on-street pay-and-display charges typically don't apply in the evenings or on Sundays. Always check the signs at the specific car park or bay, as tariffs and time limits vary and can change.
Saturday is the busiest day in Cookstown thanks to the long-running street market, and Main Street bays fill up quickly through the morning. Arrive early or head straight for the larger car parks off the main street, such as those near Molesworth Street or the Burnavon, where you're more likely to find a space.
Avoid hunting for a kerbside space along the middle of Main Street at peak times, as it's where competition is highest and turnover slowest. Don't park in clearly marked loading bays, disabled bays without a permit, or on double yellows, and mind the time limits on short-stay bays to avoid a ticket.