Cork Attractions

On the way to the city center from University College, we can turn left off Dike Parade into Bachelor's Quay, which has a number of fine Georgian houses along the river front. Continuing along the quays, we come to Corn Market Street (on the right).

The mills were established in 1794, by 1837 the mills employed about 200 workers and produced about 16,000 barrels of gunpowder. The many buildings used in the manufacture of gunpowder are still scattered along the main canal and millraces.

This prison housed 19th C. inmates, often in wretched conditions. Visitors can see the furnished cells to experience life of both prisoner and jailer.

An audio-visual show depicts contrasting lifestyles in 19th C. Cork.

To the east of St Mary's Cathedral in Cork's northern district, in Old Youghal Road, lie Collin's Barracks, with a three-light stained-glass window by Evie Hone (1939) in the chapel.

From Lapp's Quay in Cork's central area there is a good view of City Hall, which has an assembly hall seating 2,000, and its reflection in the sluggishly flowing river.

Between Mardyke Walk and the river are sports grounds and the Fitzgerald Park, in which is the Cork Public Museum. The museum offers a comprehensive view of the history of the region from prehistoric times to the present day, and also has collections of silver, glass and the crochet-work and lace for which Cork was formerly celebrated.

Two streets up from the Holy Trinity Church in Cork's central area, on the north side of Washington Street, is the Court House (1832), with a handsome portico.

To the left of St Patrick's Bridge, in Emmet Place, is the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery (sculpture and modern Irish painting). Beyond this we come to the Opera House (1963). At the end of the street, on the corner of Lavitt's Quay, is a statue of Father Matthew, at a bus stop which is known simply as "the Statue."

Going over Brian Boru Bridge, to the right can be seen the large bus station, to the left the Custom House (1814), now the Harbormaster's office.

Damhsafest is Ireland's only International Folk Dance Festival (formerly know as the Cork International Folk Dance Festival). Folk dance, music and Irish traditions are featured.

Turning left off South Mall at the City Hall in Cork's Central Area and following the bank of the South Channel, which here describes a sharp bend, we come to the Father Matthew Memorial Church (Holy Trinity Church, 1825), a neo-Gothic building designed by G. R. Pain. It commemorates the "Apostle of Temperance," Father Matthew (1790-1861), who preached the unpopular doctrine of abstinence and "made an idea into a crusade."

At the corner of South Mall and Grand Parade in Cork's central area we come to the Cork Lending Library, with the Tourist Information Center in Tourist House almost opposite it. In Grand Parade are a monument to Irish patriots of 1798-1867 and the Berwick Fountain.

To the left of Grand Parade in Cork's central area stands Holy Trinity Church, also known as Christ Church (by Coltsman, 1720); it contains some relics of an earlier church, including the mid-16th C. tomb of Mayor Ronan and his wife.

This annual four-day festival runs from late April to early May and includes numerous daily events as well as nightly gala concerts featuring choral music.

Other events include dance performances, recitals and exhibitions. A seminar on contemporary choral music is also held on the sidelines of the festival.

The main concerts are held in the City Hall, while the rest of the events are held in venues throughout the city.

This annual four-day festival takes place during the last weekend in October. Tens-of-thousands of visitors flock to the city for this festival, which brings together over 100 bands, and soloists. Amateurs as well as top-ranked musicians perform in various pubs, clubs, and hotels.

This annual festival takes place during a weekend in mid-September. The festival offers musical and dance performances by folk groups from around the world, as well as groups showcasing the traditions and customs of Cork.

At Parliament Bridge in Cork's central area we come to South Mall, which has a number of buildings of the first half of the 19th C. To the south of the bridge, enclosed by later buildings in Abbey Street, is the Red Abbey Tower, one of the few relics of medieval monastic houses in Cork.

The mills, established along the banks of the river Lee near Cork in 1794, quickly became an industrial center during the Napoleonic Wars. In 1837 they produced about 16,000 barrels of gunpowder and by the mid-1880s some 500 men and boys were employed there.

Through slide shows and exhibitions, the mills explain the dangerous work done there.

On Bishop's Street in Cork's central area can be seen the prominent spires of St Finbarr's Cathedral. The cathedral (1865-80), in French Early Gothic style, is richly decorated and furnished, with fine mosaics in the choir. Its eight bells, cast by Abel Rudhall of Gloucester, are from an earlier church of 1750 on the same site.

Near the Red Abbey Tower in Cork's central area is St Finbarr's Church, also known as the South Chapel. Built in 1766, it has late 18th C. furnishings, including a figure of the dead Christ by Hogan.

Two streets north of St Ann's Shandon in Cork's northern district is the neo-Classical St Mary's Cathedral (1808). The interior was renewed in neo-Gothic style in 1820 after a fire.

Tto the north of the River Lee is the Dominican St Mary's Church (1832-39), on the High Altar of which is a miracle-working image of the Virgin (14th C. Flemish work in ivory).

South of the Collin's Barracks in Cork's northern district, near Lower Glanmire Road, stands the Corinthian-style St Patrick's Church (by G. R. Pain, 1836), the effect of which is spoiled by an extension of 1894.

Corn Market Street, with the Old Market, leads into Grand Parade. To the left is St Patrick's Street, Cork's main shopping street, built over an old arm of the river, extending in a wide arc to St Patrick's Bridge.

From the Court House, Liberty Street and Sheares Street lead into Mardyke Walk, which runs parallel to the River Lee. To the right, above the north bank of the river, is the Sunday's Well district, with houses picturesquely scattered about in the hills.

South of Cork Public Museum, beyond Western Road and the South Channel, is the University College (founded 1845), part of the National University of Ireland, with some 4,000 students. Many of the neo-Classical buildings are well preserved; particularly fine is the Jail Gate (1818). The Honan Chapel has beautiful stained glass by Sarah Purser's Tower of Glass Group and Harry Clarke. The college possesses interesting collections (e.g. of ogham stones and early prints of Cork) which can be seen by appointment.

Blackrock Castle Observatory is home to a state of the art exhibition highlighting recent discoveries of extreme life forms on Earth and their implications for life in outer space. Use cinema sized video screens to explore the formation of the Universe and how life developed on earth. Send an email to space and play "The Comet Chaser" in Ireland's first interactive cinema and virtually save the Earth!

In the area around Cork Harbor, a large, almost landlocked inlet south of Great Island, are fortifications of many different periods. There are also a number of little resorts the mild climate of which attracts many holidaymakers.

The R609 and R612 run south from Passage West to Carrigaline (8mi/13km) and then east to Crosshaven, a popular holiday resort with good sandy beaches at the outflow of the River Owenboy into an inlet off Cork Harbor.

From here, majestic cruise ships depart for distant ports of call. While docked, these mighty ships are a spectacle for all to see.

At the outer end of Passage West stands Monkstown Castle (17th C., National Monument), now the clubhouse of a nine-hole golf course.

4.5mi/7km northeast of the city of Cork is Riverstown House, with sumptuously decorated rooms.