Section 1 Historical Context
The Market Industries In the first half of the eighteenth century, a key economic driver in Cork was the provisions trade, particularly in beef, butter and pork, which were exported to Britain, continental Europe and colonies in North America and the West Indies. By the 1740’s, Cork accounted for nearly 75% of Ireland’s beef exports. In 1747, a Westminister Act granted the Cork Corporation legal authority to inspect all beef destined fro export, leading to the construction of a central inspection market to the west of Shandon in what is now Gurranabraher. By the mid-18th century, Cork’s butter industry had grown so significantly that the “Committee of Butter Merchants” and a dedicated butter market were established in Shandon in 1770. Continued growth necessitated further expansion of the market by the mid-1800s. During the late eighteenth century, industries such as brewing, distilling, tanning, and textiles flourished. Between 1770 and 1800, St. Patrick’s Bridge and Parliament Bridge were constructed, reducing the importance of the North and South Gate bridges as the primary entry points from the suburbs to the city centre
Eighteenth Century As a result of rapid population growth of Cork, the city expanded towards the north, east and west. The rapid population growth also led to significant hardship, particularly among the poorer classes. Several religious and charitable institutions were established in Shandon in the early 1700’s. In 1715, the Green Coat Hospital charity school for poor children was built on a piece of waste ground next to St. Mary’s Church graveyard. Later that year, additional land adjacent to the school was allocated for the construction of two new schools, which operated until the nineteenth century. In 1719, Skiddy’s Almshouse was constructed behind the Green Coat Hospital to provide housing for Cork’s elderly poor. In 1722, St. Anne’s Church was built to replace the older St. Mary’s Church, which had been destroyed during the siege of Cork by English forces. Red sandstone, believed to be from Shandon Castle, was used on the church’s north and east sides, while grey limestone from the Franciscan Abbey was used on the south and west sides. Charles Smith’s 1750 map of Cork highlights the Poor House, built after a coal tax was introduced to fund a hospital for the poor. The Poor House, opened in 1747 on Leitrim Street, later became part of the Lady’s Well Brewery site. Smith’s map also shows the North Infirmary, constructed between 1720 and 1744.
Plan of the city of Cork, 1750, by Charles Smith (Source: RIA Irish Historic Town Atlas No. 31 Cork /Corcaigh)
View of Cork from Audley Place showing St. Anne’s Church, Shandon and the surrounding development, c. 1750, by John Butts (Crawford Art Gallery, Source: RIA Irish Historic Town Atlas No. 31 Cork /Corcaigh)
Project: Historic Character Assessment Client: Cork City Council
Date:
15/10/2024
Pg 4
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