CORK CITY PLACES

Shandon Bells     Cork City Gaol     Cork Vision Centre     Military Museums     Lifetime Lab    Events     Cobh    
Fin Barres Cathedral     Cork City

The Cork Butter Museum

is a unique institution, celebrating one of the great success stories of Ireland, the butter trade. Located in the historic Shandon area of Cork city, the story begins with the central role of dairy culture in the Island of Saints and Scholars. The Museum goes on to describe the internationally important Butter Exchange in nineteenth century Cork, the traditional craft of home butter making and the modern success of the Kerrygold brand. In the course of this story, the commercial, social, and domestic life of Ireland is recalled.
Beginning with the origins of dairying in Ireland, this gallery display deals with the Irish practice of preserving butter in bogs, the importance of milch cows in medieval Ireland and cattle raiding. The entire ground-floor gallery displays traditional butter-making equipment. The development of the dairy industry in the twentieth century is also explored and the story is brought completely up-to-date with an audio-visual presentation on the industry since the early 1960’s. Throughout the Museum the displays are enhanced by clear and informative panels covering all aspects of the dairy culture in Ireland.
The Cork Butter Museum
The Tony O’Reilly Centre
O’Connell Square
Cork
Ireland
Tel 353 (0) 21 4300 600

The Lewis Glucksman Gallery

The Lewis Glucksman Gallery is a cultural and educational institution that promotes the research, creation and exploration of the visual arts. Located at the main entrance to University College Cork on Western Road, the Glucksman is an award-winning building that includes display spaces, lecture facilities, a riverside restaurant and gallery shop.
There is public parking for visitors to the Glucksman and UCC at Perrots Inch car park. Drive along Western Road past UCC Ceremonial Gates on the left, and continuing along until traffic lights. Turn left at traffic lights and take first left into car park. The gallery is a short walk along the river from the car park. There is also disc parking along the Mardyke, O'Donovans Road and College Road.

Welcome to Cork English Market It is one of the oldest of its kind. Trading as a market since 1788, it pre-dates most of the other markets like it. Indeed, Barcelona's famous Boqueria market did not start until 80 years after The English Market first started to serve the people of Cork. It has survived the Famine, revolutions, wars, fire and economic decline. The Market has adapted down through the years and now offers a larger range of produce than it did in times past. In times past, most of the shoppers were shopping on a cheaper budget or haggling with the stall owners in hopes of even better deals! A thing that can still be seen today if you feel up to the challenge! Read more...

Cork City Gaol Heritage Centre


This Cork heritage centre is renowned for its wax figures. Step back in time to see what 19th / early 20th Century life was like in Cork inside and outside the prison walls. Amazingly lifelike wax figures, furnished cells, sound effects and fascinating exhibitions. Cork City Gaol is located 2k n/w from Patrick’s Street and while the magnificent castle-like building is now a major and unique visitor attraction, this Gaol once housed 19th century prisoners! Visitors get a fascinating insight into day-to-day prison life at a time when the high walls ensured no escape and denied law-abiding citizens the opportunity to see one of the finest examples of Ireland's architectural heritage. Top

Military Museums

The Collins Barracks Museum is located in the Old Guard Room inside the old Main Entrance Gate to Collins Barracks. The Old Guard Room building was erected in 1806 in the reign of King George III. It was designed to be the main security guard room of the Barrack overlooking the Main Gate with a view down Military Hill. In 1985 as part of the Cork 800 celebrations, a memorial museum and reference library was established. The museum is dedicated to the memory of those members of the garrison who had died performing their duty. In 2005 this Museum was relocated to the Old Guard Room at Old Youghal Road, Telephone 021 4514000, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Top Elizabeth Fort was constructed on a limestone outcrop overlooking the medieval walled city in 1601. The fort was demolished by the citizens of Cork in 1603. It was replaced in 1624 by a stronger fortIt was used in 1690 by Williamite forces besieging the city. In 1835 the Fort was used as a female prison then as a military base and finally as a police barracks. The site is highly significant in relation to the military and social history of Cork and boasts an exceptional view of the city from the ramparts and from the recently constructed timber viewing gallery along the north side of the courtyard. Entry from Barracks Street, 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. Last entry at 4.30 p.m. Top

Cork Vision Centre

Within its ancient walls, the Cork Vision Centre offers a wonderfully spacious interior beneath a restored vaulted ceiling. An elegant, modern intervention incorporates a multi-purpose gallery, and ancillary spaces.Located in the heart of Cork's historic centre, and within walking distance of the city's artistic, commercial and tourist attractions. The Cork Vision Centreconservation in action, and to explore Cork's evolution from past, offers visitors an opportunity to appreciate a fine example of through present, and onwards to future development.

Lifetime Lab

The buildings which stand at the Waterworks site today date from the 1800s and 1900s but water has been supplied to the city of Cork from the site since the 1760s. Find out how water was provided from the site in this section.The development of Lifetime Lab has involved the conservation and restoration of the Old Waterworks site.This section details the challenges encountered in each of the different buildings on the site and outlines how those challenges were met.
In the early 1760s the Pipe Water Company was established to provide a water supply to the city of Cork. The architect/engineer David Ducart designed the Waterworks which were completed by 1768. The site included a pumping house and open storage reservoirs or "basins" which were constructed on the hillside to the north of the river at the same location as the present Waterworks buildings. In fact, the Waterworks scheme seen today was actually built on the site of the lower water basin.By the first half of the 19th century, it was felt that the water supply to the city required upgrading. The population of the city was increasing rapidly and new suburbs developing on the city's north side could not benefit from the existing system as they were above the water basins. In addition, it was considered that the use of wooden pipes and untreated, unfiltered water was out-dated. Thomas Wicksteed, one of the most respected water engineers of the time and engineer of the East London Waterworks was commissioned to report on the existing services and make recommendations for a new scheme.Between 1902 and 1907 Benson's scheme was altered when the Cornish beam engine was replaced with three triple extension engines made by Combe & Barbour of Belfast. Two Lancashire boilers were installed to supply the steam to power these engines. These are the engines and boilers seen at the site today. Top

Cork Public Museum and Fitzgerald's Park


The collections of Cork Public Museum include the collection that features some of the most important archaeological finds from this region. Among them is Ireland’s oldest Pick and Shovel, discovered in a Bronze Age copper mine in Mount Gabriel, the Iron Age Cork Helmet Horns and the Garryduff Gold Bird, a triumph of Early Medieval skill and craftsmanship.
The ethnography collection contains some of the finer examples of workmanship from areas as far away as Australia, New Zealand and the South Seas Islands.
Classical archaeology is also represented in Cork Public Museum with a small but impressive collection of artefacts from ancient Egypt and Greece. The importance of Cork as a thriving medieval town is explored in an exhibition that contains objects excavated from recent digs around the medieval town wall. Open: April to September at

Fitzgeralds Park,

The Mardyke, Cork. Admission is free. The Park is named after Edward Fitzgerald who was Lord Mayor of Cork 1901-1903 . Generations of Cork people have strolled through the park, relaxed and enjoyed its calm tranquil atmosphere among the trees, shrubs and sculptures. To one side is the River Lee with swans, beyond lie the verdant gardens of Sunday's Well, sloping down to the river bank, with here and there a smal slip peeping out, evoking memories of days when residents regurlarly went punting on the river. Top

Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral


Legend has it that St. Fin Barre was the son of Amergin, whose tribe was descended from Eochaidh Muidmheadoin, brother of the king of Munster. Amergin settled in the territory of Muskerry, in the county of Cork, where he obtained an inheritance and land at a place called Achaidh Durbchon, near the spot afterwards known as Gougane Barra, at the sources of the river Lee. The site of St. Fin Barre's cathedral has been a place of worship since the 7th century, and the school founded by him there continued to be listed among the five principal monastic schools of Ireland down to the 10th century.Designed by William Burges and consecrated in 1870, the Cathedral lies on a site where Christian worship has been offered since the seventh century. There has been a choir at Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral since the medieval period, being first mentioned in a manuscript of 1328. Top

Shandon Bells


The Church of St. Anne Shandon is one of Ireland's most famous Christian landmarks. Since the 6th century there has been a Christian witness in this place. Before St. Finbarre, the patron saint of our city, established his College of Learning at Gillabbey Street in the 7th century, where now stands the magnificent Cathedral dedicated to his name, there has been a Church on this site. The present Church of St. Anne Shandon was constructed in 1722. Top