Cork Heritage Open Day Brochure

Explore our amazing and unique built heritage CORK HERITAGE OPEN DAY Saturday August 17th, 2024

ROUTE MAP

Cork Heritage Open Day celebrates its 19th anniversary this year. From small beginnings with just 30 participating buildings and 5,000 visitors, Cork Heritage Open Day was organised to mark the 2005 City of Culture programme of events. Cork Heritage Open Day has more than 40 buildings involved, an extensive programme of events ongoing through the day, and reaches an audience of almost 23,000 people. Cork Heritage Open Day is organised by Cork City Council as part of Heritage Week in partnership with the Heritage Council and with media sponsorship from the Echo. 29 This event is organised almost entirely on a voluntary basis with building owners, local historians and communities giving their time free of charge. The success of the event lies with the people behind the buildings who open their doors willingly every year to allow the public a glimpse of the amazing and unique built heritage of Cork City. Without the generosity of the building owners, this event would not happen. corkheritageopenday.ie 28

Out of courtesy to the proprietors/owners of these buildings please observe the opening times and any instructions in relation to handling objects, taking photographs and entering private areas of the building. Cork Heritage Open Day is an event organised by Cork City Council as part of Heritage Week in partnership with the Heritage Council with media sponsorship from the Echo.

To Oriel House Hotel

Tá Lá Oscailte Oidhreachta Chorcaí ar an saol 19 bliain i mbliana. Ó thosach beag agus gan ach 30 foirgneamh rannpháirteach agus 5,000 cuairteoir, eagraíodh Lá Oscailte Oidhreachta Chorcaí le clár imeachtaí Chathair an Chultúir 2005 a mharcáil. Anois, 19 bliana ina dhiaidh sin, tá breis agus 40 foirgneamh rannpháirteach i Lá Oscailte Oidhreachta Chorcaí, le clár fairsing imeachtaí ar siúl i gcaitheamh an lae, agus beagnach 23,000 duine ag cur spéise ann. Is í Comhairle Cathrach Chorcaí a eagraíonn an imeacht mar chuid de Sheachtain na hOidhreachta i gcomhar leis an gComhairle Oidhreachta agus le hurraíocht na meán ó an Echo. Déantar an imeacht seo a eagrú go hiomlán beagnach ar bhonn deonach le húinéirí na bhfoirgneamh stairiúla, agus pobail áitiúla ag saothrú saor in aisce. Baineann an rath atá ar an imeacht leis na daoine ar leo na foirgnimh a osclaíonn a ndoirse dá ndeoin féin gach bliain le ceadú don phobal spléachadh ar fháil ar oidhreacht thógtha ar leithligh Chathair Chorcaí. Gan flaithiúlacht úinéirí na bhfoirgneamh seo, ní fhéadfaí an imeacht seo a chur ar siúl. corkheritageopenday.ie

Introduction Cork Heritage Open Day is a unique event which will be held on Saturday 17th of August, 2024 celebrating the amazing architecture and history of the Built Heritage in the Cork City Region. The 2024 National Heritage Week theme invites you to explore the ways we are connected to each other through physical or cultural connections and this is celebrated throughout Cork Heritage Open Day. Cork Heritage Open Day will see some of Cork’s most fascinating buildings ranging from the Medieval to the Military, the Civic to the Commercial and the Educational to the Ecclesiastical open their doors free of charge for one day only. Cork’s Built Heritage tells the tale of wars and peace, learning and praying, high living and humble beginnings. As a way of referencing the building’s locations, 5 themed self-walking routes throughout the city are suggested on the map at the back of this guide. Entry to all these buildings is free of charge. However in the case of a few events due to space restrictions and increasing popularity you will be required to book your place in advance. You must present your ticket on the day as refused entry may cause offence. Ticketed events are marked with a ticket symbol “ ¶ ” on the brochure and booking details are available under the relevant building or event information section. This numbered coloured circle denotes the building number on the top of each page which corresponds to that building’s location on the map at the back of this brochure. 10

Contents

Cork Heritage Open Day Events ALL EVENTS ARE FREE

Cork Heritage Open Day Events .......................... p5-9 Steps and Steeples 1 Cork Baptist Church...............................................................................p11 2 The Everyman.........................................................................................p12 3 The Metropole Hotel Cork...................................................................p13 4 Military Museum Collins Barracks......................................................p14 5 Heineken Ireland (former Murphy’s Brewery)................................p15 6 Dance Cork Firkin Crane......................................................................p16 7 St Anne’s Church Shandon...................................................................p17 8 The North Monastery............................................................................p18 Customs and Commerce 9 National Sculpture Factory................................................................p20 10 LÉ Aoibhinn.............................................................................................p21 11 City Hall....................................................................................................p22 12 Cork Savings Bank ................................................................................p23 13 The Imperial Hotel ...............................................................................p24 14 AIB Bank...................................................................................................p25 15 Carpenters Hall......................................................................................p26 Medieval to Modern 16 Cork City Library...................................................................................p28 17 Masonic Hall...........................................................................................p29 18 Triskel Christchurch..............................................................................p30 19 The Courthouse......................................................................................p31 20 St Peter’s Cork........................................................................................p32 21 Crawford Art Gallery.............................................................................p33 22 Cork Opera House................................................................................p34 Saints and Scholars 23 Quaker Meeting House........................................................................p36 24 Nano Nagle Place...................................................................................p37 25 Elizabeth Fort........................................................................................p38 26 St Fin Barre’s Cathedral.......................................................................p39 27 Backwater Studios, Cork Printmakers, Lavit Gallery...................p40 Life and Learning 28 The Glucksman......................................................................................p43 29 Cork Public Museum............................................................................p44 30 The Kingsley Hotel................................................................................p45 31 Old Cork Waterworks Experience....................................................p46 32 CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory....................................................p47 33 Riverstown House.................................................................................p48 34 Fota House & Victorian Working Gardens ....................................p49 35 Oriel House.............................................................................................p50 Map ............................................................................................................. p53

Details of events which require pre-booking by the venue organisers are highlighted in red and are marked with a ticket symbol, and include details of who to contact. ¶ Booking Essential Saturday 17 August 2024

TITLE & Booking Details ¶ Behind the Scenes Tour of the Everyman. Booking essential on www.everymancork.com ¶ Guided Tour of Cork City Hall with Cllr. Kieran McCarthy Booking essential on corkheritageopenday.ie/events Visit the LÉ Aoibhinn Naval Vessel Cork City Fossil Walk with Irish Fossil Heritage. Booking essential contact jess Franklin. Email: jfranklin@ucc.ie ¶ Explore the history of this iconic castle and the shared cultural heritage of the night sky. Booking essential on www.bco.ie Guided tours of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral ¶ Guided tours of AIB Bank Booking essential on www. corkheritageopenday.ie/events ¶ Guided tour of the historic Riverstown House. Booking essential on corkheritageopenday.ie/events ¶ Guided tours of The Courthouse Washington Street. Booking essential on www. corkheritageopenday.ie/events ¶ Guided tour of the former Cork Savings Bank with Architect Gareth O’Callaghan. Booking essential on www. corkheritageopenday.ie/events

TIME VENUE

The Everyman, MacCurtain Street.

9am

Cork City Hall, Anglesea Street.

10am

Cork City Docks.

10am to 12.30pm, 2pm to 5pm

Meeting Point: St. Mary’s Dominican Church, Pope’s Quay. Blackrock Castle Observatory, Castle Road, Blackrock.

10am

10am to 1pm

St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Bishop St.

10am, 2pm & 4pm 10am, 11am & 12pm

AIB Bank, 66 South Mall.

Riverstown House, Riverstown, Cork.

10am & 12pm

The Courthouse, Washington Street.

10.30am, 12pm & 12.45pm

Cork Savings Bank, 1 Lapps Quay.

10.30am

3 5

TITLE & Booking Details ¶ Out for the messages A walking exploration of shops, shopping and the business history of the VQ, Cork. With commercial and street directories, the Census returns and old maps, explore the history of shops, pubs, hotels and other businesses along Devonshire Street, Coburg Street, Bridge Street and MacCurtain Street. The tour will reflect on how shopping has changed over the last 150 years, the continuity and change of businesses in the area over time, and on the VQ as the birthplace of some of Cork’s most iconic brands. Tour led by Danielle O’Donovan. Booking essential on www. corkheritageopenday.ie/events ¶ Guided tours of the Old Cork Waterworks Experience. Booking essential on www.oldcorkwaterworks.ie ¶ Guided tours of the Metropole Hotel. Unveil the secrets of the Metropole Hotel, where history intertwines with mystique and discover all of the Metropole Hotel’s hidden gems. Booking essential on www.themetropolehotel.ie/ whats-on/events-in-cork/cork- heritage-open-day ¶ Guided tours of Heineken Ireland Booking essential on www. corkheritageopenday.ie/events Military Museum Collins Barracks. A talk on the history of the Victoria/ Collins Barracks 1805 to present. ¶ Guided tour of Douglas Street and Red Abbey. With David Ryan. Booking essential on www. corkheritageopenday.ie/events ¶ The View from Audley Place. Join the Shandon Area History Group for an hour taking in the panoramic views of Cork City from Audley Place/ Bells Field. Minimal walking, just come to take in the views and learn about the rich history attached to what unfolds before your eyes. Booking essential on www. corkheritageopenday.ie/events

TIME VENUE

TITLE & Booking Details

TIME VENUE

¶ Guided Musical Walk of Cork’s Jewish History with Ruti Lachs. The walk includes music and story from the old Cork Hebrew Congregation, and takes in the former synagogue, the ‘Passover’ bridge, Jewtown, Shalom Park, and other sites and venues of Jewish events and businesses in the past. Learn about about current Jewish events and practices in the Cork Jewish Community. Booking essential on www. corkheritageopenday.ie/events ¶ Guided tours of Fota House. Booking essential on https:// bookings.fotahouse.com/Home ¶ Guided Walking tours of the Victorian Working Gardens in Fota House. Booking essential on https:// bookings.fotahouse.com/Home Brian Maher will give a talk on the history of the Lee Baths. Mauro Dias will give a talk on Biodiversity in the Lee Fields. ¶ Guided tour of the Cork Opera House. Booking essential on www.corkoperahouse.ie ¶ Guided tour of St Joseph’s Cemetery with Finbarr Barry and Liam O’hÚigín. Booking essential on www. corkheritageopenday.ie/events ¶ Guided tour Elizabeth Fort Booking essential on www.elizabethfort.ie ¶ Guided tours of Dance Cork Firkin Crane Booking essential on www. corkheritageopenday.ie/events A talk on the Common Swift Bird with Noel Linehan . The talk will describe its amazing life story, the reasons for its current declining population and what we can do to help it recover.

Meeting Point: Sin É, Coburg Street.

Meeting Point: Outside the Imperial Hotel, South Mall.

10.30am & 2.30pm

11am

Fota House, Fota Island.

11am, 12pm, 2pm & 3.30pm 11am, 1pm & 2pm

Fota House, Fota Island .

Old Cork Waterwork’s Experience, Lee Road.

10.30am & 12pm

The Metropole Hotel, MacCurtain Street.

11am & 12pm

The Kingsley Hotel, Carrigrohane Road.

11am, Lee Baths Talk. 11.25am, Biodiversity Talk

Cork Opera House, Emmet Place .

11am

Heineken Ireland (Murphy’s Brewery), Leitrim Street. Military Museum Collins Barracks, Old Youghal Road .

11am & 11.30am

St Joseph’s Cemetery, Tory Top Road

11am

11am & 12.30pm

Elizabeth Fort, Barracks Street.

11am , 1pm & 3pm.

11am Meeting Point: Red Abbey,

Red Abbey Street.

D ance Cork Firkin Crane, Shandon .

11.30am, 12.30pm & 1.30pm

11am Meeting Point: Bells Field,

Old Youghal Road .

Cork City Library, Grand Parade.

11.30am

TITLE & Booking Details Guided version of the walkingshandon.ie Audio Tour. Enjoy a guided audio tour of the Shandon area organised by the Shandon Area Renewal Association. Discover historic locations and places where famous people lived. No booking required ¶ Bridge to Bridge: A creative Walk of University College Cork. Explore the built heritage, art and biodiversity of University College Cork lower grounds in this creative walk for adults. Booking essential on 021 4901844/ info@glucksman.org ¶ Explore the rich geological heritage of Cork city with geologist Thomas Heising. Booking essential on www. corkheritageopenday.ie/events

TIME VENUE

TITLE & Booking Details ¶ Specialised Curatorial Tours on Fota House’s original contents will be given by Martina Madden. Booking essential on https:// bookings.fotahouse.com/Home ¶ Guided tour of the Coal Quay with the Coal Quay Festival. Enjoy a historic stroll through the Coal Quay with Michael O’Donovan. Booking essential on www. corkheritageopenday.ie/events ¶ Good Day Cork are hosting a listening Cafe of their audio documentary ‘Living Heritage.’ Booking essential on www.gooddaycork.com Guided tour of the Crawford Art Gallery.

TIME VENUE

Fota House, Fota Island.

Meeting Point: Shandon Footbridge.

12pm

1pm & 3pm

1.30pm Meeting Point: Peg Twomey’s Shop, Coal Quay.

12pm Meeting Point: Alumni Bridge,

Main Gates of UCC.

The Test Site, Kryl’s Quay.

2pm

12pm Meeting Point: Cork City Hall,

Crawford Art Gallery, Emmet Place.

2pm

Anglesea Street side opposite the District Court. National Sculpture Factory, Albert Road. Nano Nagle Place, Douglas Street.

A Gunpowdermill Walk and Talk with Tadhg O’Connor.

Meeting Point: The GAA Entrance

2pm to 4pm

Guided tours of the National Sculpture Factory.

12pm to 3pm

to Ballincollig Regional Park.

St Peter’s Cork, North Main Street.

Ciara Brett and John Sunderland will give a talk on Beneath the Street: Recent Archaeological Excavations at 92-96 North Main Street. ¶ Guided Tour of the Middle Parish with Liam O hÚigín. Booking essential on www. corkheritageopenday.ie/events A talk on Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway 1850 to 1932 with Diarmuid O’Drisceoil.

3pm

¶ The Archives Drop in: The South Presentation Congregational Archives will

12pm to 4pm

showcase objects at Nano Nagle Place. This event provides a unique opportunity to explore historical artifacts and to learn more about the legacy of the Presentation Sisters. Booking essential on www.nanonagleplace.ie ¶ Adrian Mulligan who is part of the Frederick Douglass Group and a Professor of Geography at Bucknell University, in Pennsylvania, USA will give a walking tour which will begin outside the Imperial Hotel. Following the walking tour there will be a short talk in the Frederick Douglass Lounge in the Imperial Hotel. Booking essential on the Imperial Hotel Eventbrite Page. ¶ Backwater Artists Group, Cork Printmakers and Lavit Gallery Guided tours. Booking essential on Cork Printmakers Eventbrite. Military Historian Gerry White will give a talk on the Siege of Cork.

3pm Meeting Point:

St Peter’s Church, North Main Street.

Cork City Library, Grand Parade.

4pm

Meeting Point: Outside the Imperial Hotel, South Mall.

1pm (Walking Tour) 2pm Talk

Backwater Artists Group,

1pm & 2pm

Backwater Studio, Wandesford Quay.

St Peter’s Cork, North Main Street.

1pm

STEPS & STEEPLES

Cork Baptist Church

The Steps and Steeples walk encompasses not only some of the amazing buildings on the North Side of the city but also some of the most spectacular views. This walking route involves hiking up some of the steep hills of the city and through some of its fascinating areas.

MacCurtain Street Open 1pm to 5pm Partial wheelchair access

There has been a Baptist Church in existence in Cork since the 17th century. It was originally organised by Mr. & Mrs. Edward Riggs of Rigsdale, Ballinhassig. Mr. Riggs was MP for Bandon and a Commissioner of the Peace. The church met at different locations throughout the city during its history, starting in Coleman’s Alley in the Cornmarket Street area. The first building was erected in Mill Street, afterwards known as Fishamble Lane, now Liberty Street. This building was subsequently used by the Augustinians while their own chapel was being built. In 1759 an old map of Cork shows the Franciscans occupying the building, with a statue of St. Francis marking the site. The second building was on the south east marsh, commonly called Dunscombe Marsh, now Marlboro Street. This is now the location of the Cork YMCA. The present building was opened in King Street, now MacCurtain Street in 1892. The front elevation of the church has a brickwork facade, while the other walls are constructed from random rubble masonry. The roof is supported by pitch pine queen post trusses. Its main architectural features are the unusual tower and carving over the entrance, the pitch pine doors with ornate metal work, and the leaded windows facing the street. In 1908 electricity was installed in the building at a cost of 9 pounds, which was paid in 12 instalments of 15 shillings! In 1979 the upper floor was constructed to allow for greater use of the building through the provision of extra facilities downstairs. Internal features of interest include the pulpit, the table located in front of the pulpit upstairs and the baptistery located in the main hall downstairs.

Buildings on this walk are:

The Everyman

The Metropole

15 MacCurtain Street Guided tour at 9am Partial wheelchair access 2

Hotel Cork MacCurtain Street Guided tours at 11am & 12pm Partial wheelchair access

The Everyman was designed by Mr. H. Brunton and built c1840 by Mr. John O’Connell. Located on the street front of MacCurtain St this terraced two- bay three-storey was originally built as a house, which was part of a group with the adjoining houses to the east and west. In 1897 Dan Lowrey opened the building as a luxurious new theatre called The Cork Palace of Varieties. Its origins as a beautiful Victorian theatre are reflected in the interior of the building with its impressive ornate proscenium arch and boxes and a balcony and ceiling composed of decorative plasterwork, which has been restored to its former glory. During the heyday of music hall theatre 1897 - 1912 no expense was spared in securing the best talent available at the time. Artists such as Charlie Chaplin, George Formby and Laurel and Hardy to name a few performed during this time. With the arrival of the “talkies” the Palace became a cinema in 1930 and remained so until 1988. The venue reopened as a Theatre in 1990 when it was purchased by the Everyman Theatre Company. The names of the venue and the theatre company were combined to form the Everyman Palace Theatre, but it is now known simply as “The Everyman”. The Everyman is now one of the busiest presenting and producing theatres in Ireland. It incorporates a diverse and eclectic programme of world class theatre, dance, music, visual arts, family entertainment and variety shows. Behind the Scenes Tour of the Everyman at 9am. The Behind the Scenes Tour is history brought to life: an immersive, theatrical tour of the 127 year old theatre. Join tour guide actors as they lead you on an engaging journey through the theatre and travel through time to meet the famous

Vintage Splendor: Unveiling The Metropole’s Hidden Gems. Embark on an extraordinary tour through time. Enjoy a tour at the 126 year old Metropole Hotel and prepare to be whisked away on a journey drenched in glamour and grandeur as knowledgeable guides lead you through the illustrious corridors where famous guests once walked. Indulge your senses in the resplendent Victorian architecture as charismatic storytellers unfurl the rich tapestry of The Metropole’s unique history. Discover the legends and lore of illustrious figures who once graced these hallowed halls, from silver screen legends to influential luminaries, each name etched in history is but a chapter in The Metropole’s captivating narrative. The grand historical tour at The Metropole Hotel promises a unique glimpse into Cork’s fantastical history, from wars and fires to sweet shops and film stars, prepare to lose yourself in the tantalizing narratives that illuminate Cork’s cultural heritage. Guided tour of the Metropole Hotel at 11am and 12pm. Unveil the secrets of the Metropole Hotel, where history intertwines with mystique and discover all of the Metropole Hotel’s hidden gems. Booking essential on https://www.themetropolehotel.ie/whats-on/ events-in-cork/cork-heritage-open-day

and infamous characters of our unique venue. Booking essential on www.everymancork.com

Military Museum

Heineken Ireland (former Murphy’s Brewery) Murphy’s Brewery, Leitrim Street Guided tours at 11am & 11.30am Full wheelchair access 5

Collins Barracks Old Youghal Road Open 10am to 2pm Full wheelchair access 4

Located on the north side of the city, Murphy’s Brewery was founded in Cork in 1856 by one of Cork’s merchant prince families, the Murphys. The Brewery was constructed within the grounds of the 18th century foundling hospital on Leitrim Street. The name Lady’s Well Brewery refers to a well on the hill opposite the brewery, which is supposed to have miraculous properties. By the end of the eighteenth century Cork had become an important centre of the Irish brewing industry, much of which was for the local market with a small export trade to the West Indies and later in the 19th century to the English market. In the late 1880s, the brewery was expanded and remodelled. This was seen as necessary to accommodate improvements in brewing technology at the time. In 1889 a new malt house was completed. It was stone built and had five floors, two of which were used for storing barley. The cost of the building was £4,640. Murphy’s, first brewed in May 1889, is a dry stout or porter. Porter, a dark coloured beer was favoured by the market porters in London, hence its name. In the late 19th century, breweries began to produce stout, a stronger beer, which soon achieved an important place in the market. The brewers describe Murphy’s Irish Stout as “smooth and creamy, with a subtle bitterness.” In 1983 HEINEKEN International acquired all the assets of Murphy Brewery, resulting in a new lease of life for the brewery and protecting its valued traditions for the future. Today, it is the site for the main offices of HEINEKEN Ireland, whose operations include that of Northern Ireland. HEINEKEN Ireland is now one of Ireland’s leading beer and cider companies built on over 160 years of proud brewing heritage and they continue to excite their consumers and customers with innovative new products and premium brand experiences.

The Collins Barracks Museum is located in the Old Guard Room inside the old Main Entrance Gate to Collins Barracks. Designed by John Gibson in 1806 the Old Guard Room was the main security room of the Barracks and has a fine archway and hallway where the guard on duty would have kept his horse. The building has been renovated in recent times and includes an enclosed glass section to allow for observation of the Barracks Parade Ground. In 1985 as part of the Cork 800 celebrations, a memorial museum and reference library were established. The museum is dedicated to the memory of those members who died performing their duty. In 2005 this Museum was relocated to the Old Guard Room. The museum exhibits have 3 themes: the History of the Barracks, Michael Collins and Peacekeeping. The core collection consists of memorabilia associated with Michael Collins and also has displays from donated private collections. The exterior layout presents a Shaker cannon from the 1550s, a rare mobile ordnance workshop, a 2 pounder 1940s field artillery piece and a Panhard Armoured Personnel Carrier. The Barracks building is a fine example of Georgian Architecture. It is also significant from a historic perspective. The fine limestone gateway has been the focal point of historic events in Ireland since the time of the Crimean War in 1856 with the return of the 17 Lancers after the Battle of Balaclava. It was the location for the handing over of the Barracks from the British Government to Commandant Sean Murray of the Irish Army in 1922, and was visited by President Kennedy in 1963. In the present time the Barracks has continued to transform to meet the needs of the garrison with a new Dining Complex and Mess opened in recent times. A talk on the history of the Victoria/ Collins Barracks will take place at 11am and at 12.30pm. No booking required.

Guided tour of Heineken Ireland at 11am and 11.30am. Booking essential on www.corkheritageopenday.ie/events

Dance Cork Firkin Crane John Redmond Street, Shandon Guided tours at 11.30am, 12.30pm & 1.30pm. Partial wheelchair access 6

St Anne’s Church

Shandon Shandon Open 10am to 4.30pm Partial wheelchair access

Dance Cork Firkin Crane is located at the foot of the Shandon Bells, in Cork’s North City Centre. This heritage building, which was part of the Butter Market, was opened in 1955. “Firkin” is a Danish word meaning quarter barrel, the firkins, or casks, were weighed on a balance known as a “Crane”, hence the building’s unusual name. After the Butter Market closed in 1924, the building was deserted for many decades. It was put up for sale in 1979, and Joan Denise Moriarty, then Director of the Irish National Ballet, successfully applied to the Arts Council to have the building bought and refurbished as a home for her Cork-based professional dance company. This unique building was opened by then Taoiseach Albert Reynolds in April 1992, preserving a building of architectural interest in one of the most historic areas of Cork City. In 2005, the organisation changed its name to the Institute of Choreography and Dance (ICD). The organisation began to offer residencies of many kinds, professional dance classes and workshops, and began commissioning, co-producing and presenting new dance works. Now renamed Dance Cork Firkin Crane, we are proud of our history as Ireland’s first dance house. We continue to build on that tradition as a presenting partner of the European Aerowaves network, inaugurating our Take Off Festival in February 2023. We remain an organisation dedicated to dance and to serving Cork and Ireland’s growing contemporary dance community. Guided tours of Dance Cork Firkin Crane will take place at 11.30am, 12.30pm & 1.30pm. Booking essential on www.corkheritageopenday.ie/events

St Anne’s Church Shandon, built in 1722, home to the famous Shandon Bells, is a landmark building and has been a place of worship for over 280 years. The Bells of Shandon first rang out across the city in 1752. Cast in Gloucester in England, the eight bells each carry their own inscription. The tower is also home to one of the largest caged clocks in Europe installed by the corporation in 1847 and known as the ‘four faced liar’ because of its sometimes errant time telling! At the top of the tower is the gilded salmon, or ‘de goldie fish’ an old symbol of Christianity and a symbol representing salmon fishing in the river Lee. There is a spectacular view of the city at the viewing parapet at 120ft/36m. St. Anne’s Church Shandon will celebrate the heritage of the Book of Common Prayer as it was in use during the church’s 300 years of history in Cork - from 1722 to present day. Services will take place throughout the day that will be taken from various editions of the Prayer Book. Services include: Morning Prayer (8:30am), Noon Day Eucharist (12pm) Evening Prayer (4:30pm) and Compline (8pm). Additionally there will be displays around the church highlighting the different editions of the Book of Common Prayer as the centre of Anglican liturgical life.

Customs & Commerce The Customs and Commerce walk follows the river and showcases some of the old and new commercial buildings in the city. These buildings track the commercial history of Cork City and highlight its many industries over time. For the more energetic walker this route can be combined with the Medieval to Modern walking route.

The North Monastery

An Mhainistir Thuaidh Our Lady’s Mount, Ard Mhuire, Monastery Road Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG

Open 10am to 12noon Full wheelchair access

On November 9th, 1811, Brother Jerome O’Connor and Brother John Baptist Leonard opened the doors of a small school in Chapel Lane to just 17 students. News of this small beginning quickly spread and soon the school was far too small. In 1814 a site at Ard Mhuire, Our Lady’s Mount was purchased, cleared and construction of a new school and Monastery began. An outbreak of typhus fever saw the school being used as a temporary hospital before it officially opened to students in 1817. The celebrated poet and novelist Bro. Gerard Griffin joined the Christian Brothers in 1839 and his remains are interred in the North Mon Cemetery. In 1877 the technical genius Bro. James Dominic Burke thrilled the people of Cork when to celebrate the jubilee of Pope Pius DC, he flashed beams of electric light into the sky from the grounds of the Mon, a full 2 years before Thomas Edison’s patented the light bulb. Around the same time Bro. John P Holland began model tests of his new design, the submarine, in the North Mon’s Ornamental Pond. Many items connected to the above and to Tomás Mac Curtain, Terence McSwiney and Jack Lynch are on display in the Gaelcholáiste. It is estimated over 200,000 students have passed through the North Monastery over the last 200 years.

Buildings on this walk are: National Sculpture Factory

p20

LÉ Aoibhinn

p21

City Hall

p22

Cork Savings Bank

p23

The Imperial Hotel

p24

AIB Bank

p25

Carpenters Hall

p26

National Sculpture Factory 9

LÉ AOIBHINN is an Inshore Patrol Vessel acquired by the Irish Naval Service from the Royal New Zealand Navy in 2023. She was previously named HMNZS ROTOITI. The ship is 55 meters in length with a top speed 25 knots which allows the ship to patrol within Irelands Exclusive Economic Zone. The ship carries a permanent crew of 24 personnel with the ability to embark a further 12 personnel. The ship has recently achieved an Initial Operating Capability (IOC) status and is deployable while concurrently moving forward to the Full Operational Capability (FOC) process later this year. This will be the ships first visit to Cork City since arrival into the Irish Naval Service. The ship will be open to the public as part the Cork Heritage Open Day. LÉ Aoibhinn Cork City Docks Open 10am to 12.30pm, 2pm to 5pm (subject to change) No wheelchair access 10

Albert Road, Ballintemple Guided tours at 12pm to 3pm Partial wheelchair access

The National Sculpture Factory was set up thirty-five years ago and is now a thriving artist’s resource facility where artists are working on many creative projects. It is a significant national resource and is primarily funded by the Arts Council with the support of Cork City Council. Cork Heritage Open Day visitors will have the exciting opportunity to visit some artists workspaces, meet some artists and see the inside workings of an artist’s workplace. We invite you to visit our facilities and artists in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and learn more about the creative process directly from the source. Artists currently on the factory floor include: Maeve Lynch, James Hayes, Catherine Hehir, Corban Walker, Maud Cotter, Emma O’Hara, Kieran Cremin, Ada Lynch, Lynn O’Donovan, Ben Reilly and Peadar Lamb. Guided tours of the National Sculpture Factory will take place every half hour starting at 12pm to 3pm (last tour 3pm)

City Hall Anglesea Street Tour at 10am from Anglesea Street Entrance Full wheelchair access 11

Cork Savings Bank

1 Lapp’s Quay Tour at 10.30am Full wheelchair access 12

The Cork Savings Bank was established in 1817 following the passing of a law to encourage the establishment of savings banks across England and Ireland. Savings Banks targeted the lower income groups of society with the aim of encouraging thrift amongst these users, offering security for their savings whilst paying a fixed interest on deposits. In November of 1839 the design submitted by the architectural practice of Thomas and Kearns Deane was chosen for the new Cork Savings Bank, to be located on the corner of Lapp’s Quay and Warren’s Place (now Parnell Place) The building was opened for business in 1842 and a plaque above the doorway to the banking hall commemorates the date and those responsible for designing and building the bank. It continued to operate as a bank until 2012, when owners, Trustee Savings Bank, closed a number of branches, including Lapps Quay. In 2015, UCC made a decision to locate their Centre for Executive Education in a dynamic, city centre location, and entered into an agreement with Cork City Council to re-use the former Savings Bank on Lapp’s Quay for this purpose. To facilitate this refurbishment and reuse of the Savings Bank a new extension was constructed within the enclosed yard to the east. The new extension enables direct circulation across the upper floors of the former secretary’s house on Parnell Place to the southern rooms of the Bank. This extension also facilitates circulation through the building without requiring one to circulate through the main Banking Hall. (Facilitating reusing the Banking Hall as an independent multi-purpose/ conference facility.) Support functions for toilets, and required services have also been efficiently catered for in this new construction, facilitating maintaining the large historic rooms in their original form. The new accommodation is hidden from view from the exterior of the landmark historic building, but is designed to read clearly as a modern addition from within the building. Architect Gareth O’Callaghan will give a guided tour of the Cork Savings Bank at 10.30am. Booking essential on www.corkheritageopenday.ie/events

City Hall is one of the most splendid buildings of Cork. The current structure, replaced the old City Hall, which was destroyed in ‘The burning of Cork’, in 1920. It was designed by Architects Jones and Kelly and built by Cork Company Sisks. The foundation stone was laid by Éamonn de Valera, President of the Executive Council of the State on 9th July, 1932. The first meeting of the Council was held on the 24th April, 1935 and the building was formerly opened by Éamonn de Valera on the 8th Sept., 1936. The building is designed on classic lines to harmonise with the examples of eighteenth and nineteenth century architecture, fundamentally Georgian in character, that so richly endow Cork City. The main entrance to the offices is from Anglesea St, through a marble paved vestibule to the main staircase hall. The City Hall contains works by Séamus Murphy, R.H.A., including busts of Lord Mayors Tomás MacCurtain and Terence MacSwiney, and a profile of the late US President John F. Kennedy erected over the main entrance door commemorating his visit to Cork in 1963. Discover the beauty and the architecture of Cork City Hall on a guided tour at 10am with Cllr. Kieran McCarthy. Booking essential on www.corkheritageopenday.ie/events

The Imperial Hotel

AIB Bank

76 South Mall Walking Tour 1pm. Talk 2pm Full wheelchair access

66 South Mall Tour at 10am, 11am and 12pm Full wheelchair access

The Imperial Hotel was originally designed by Sir Thomas Deane in 1813, the building was initially used as commercial rooms for city merchants. In 1816 the structure was extended to serve as a hotel and coach yard for visiting business people, traders and merchants. Many famous figures throughout history have stayed in the hotel over the years including Frederick Douglass, Fr. Mathew, The Temperance Priest, writers Sir. Walter Scott, William Makepeace Thackeray and Charles Dickens. One of the most famous figures was Michael Collins who negotiated the Irish Free State Treaty in 1921 and who spent his last night on earth in room 115 at the Imperial before he was shot on that fateful day in August 1922 at Béal na Bláth, West Cork. Magnificently renovated, The Imperial Hotel, Cork, offers the finest luxury accommodations with a bespoke, personal and professional service in surroundings bristling with old world charm, opulent décor and a truly welcoming atmosphere. Frederick Douglass was the best-known abolitionist to visit Cork, he was part of a tradition involving many other abolitionists who made the journey before and after him. The Cork Abolitionists Trail, highlights locations visited by these extraordinary women and men and amplifies their stories and those of the Irish people and organisations that inspired them. Adrian Mulligan who is part of the Frederick Douglass Group and a Professor of Geography at Bucknell University, in Pennsylvania, USA will give the walking tour which will begin at 1pm outside the Imperial Hotel. Following the walking tour there will be a short talk in the Frederick Douglass Lounge in the Imperial Hotel at 2pm. Booking essential on the Imperial Hotel’s Eventbrite Page.

Number 66 had been home to the Munster Bank since 1867. The Munster & Leinster Bank was founded in 1885 and started to operate with 66 South Mall as its headquarters. By 1908 it became necessary to establish an office to meet the growing demands of Cork’s merchant and business community. In 1910 when Arthur Hill, a local Architect, won the competition to design the new Head Office of the Munster & Leinster Bank, the building was a terrace of four separate premises. Opened in 1915, the protected building you see today stands as one of the most impressive Edwardian banking halls in Ireland. Built by John Sisk & Son, the black and white chequered floor, marbled pillars and glazed dome are evidence of the elegant features of architecture at the start of the last century. War, revolutions, economic crashes and recoveries and many generations have come and gone. Between these walls, business and money matters have been discussed for over 100 years. All the saving, borrowing, lodging and withdrawing has helped keep this community moving. AIB 66 South Mall, looks forward to opening its doors for Cork Heritage Open Day. All visitors are most welcome to visit this iconic building, including a look into the old Boardroom that was used for many Munster & Leinster Directors meetings from 1915 until the formation of AIB in the late 1960’s. Guided tour of AIB Bank at 10am, 11am and 12pm. Booking essential on www.corkheritageopenday.ie/events

Medieval to Modern

Carpenters Hall

The Medieval and Modern Walk weaves through the streets and lanes of what was once medieval Cork. Many of the historic buildings on this route have been renovated and conserved and now have a modern function which is often very different from its original use. For the more energetic walker this route can be combined with the City Centre - Customs and Commerce walking route.

Fr Mathew Quay Open 10am to 2pm No wheelchair access

The operative society of Masons and Bricklayers have been residents of Carpenters Hall since 1950. Before that they were residents in Mechanics Hall from 1870 which was used by the volunteers during the War of Independence. There were other unions who resided at Carpenters Hall such as the National Union of Railway Men, Cork Workers Council, Electrical Trade Union, Amalgamated Engineers Union, Plumbers Trade Union, Plasterers Union, A.T.G.W.U, N.E.B.T.O and Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers. They also rented rooms to other organizations. The union members that were residents in this building were responsible for all of the great buildings in our beautiful city, either in their construction or maintenance. We hope to recreate the hustle and bustle of a busy union building by putting on a display of many of our records and photos. View a replica of our old marching banner which was recently put on permanent display in Cork’s Public Museum, Fitzgerald Park. The banner was made in 1843 for the Monster Repeal March in Cork by Daniel O’Connell and was used for the 1902 Cork International Exhibition. View the Sash and Apron worn by the Masons on these marches and a chair carved by the carpenters from the 1800s with Irish wolf hounds on the arms and round towers carved into the back.

Buildings on this walk are: Cork City Library

p28

Masonic Hall

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Triskel Christchurch

p30

The Courthouse

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St Peter’s Cork

p32

Crawford Art Gallery

p33

Cork Opera House

p34

Cork City Library

Masonic Hall

Grand Parade Open 10am to 5.30pm Partial wheelchair access

27 Tuckey Street Open 12pm to 5pm No wheelchair access

Cork City Library is currently celebrating 130 years of service to the citizens of the city. Cork was the first Irish city to adopt the Public Libraries (Ireland) Act, 1855, but it was not until 1892 that Cork Corporation established a public library, in what is now the Crawford Municipal Gallery. In 1905, the Library moved to a new building in Anglesea Street designed by architect Henry A. Cutler. Funded by Scottish-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, the site was provided by the Corporation on Anglesea Street, adjoining City Hall. This library, along with many other city-centre buildings, was destroyed by arson attacks on the night of 10/11 December 1920 by British armed forces. The city was without a public lending library for almost four years, until a lending service was restored in temporary premises in no. 2 Tuckey Street, in September 1924. A new purpose-built library was constructed with a façade in the Hiberno-Romanesque style at no. 57 Grand Parade and was opened to the public in September 1930. In the mid to late 70s, A talk by Noel Linehan on the Common Swift at 11.30am. Ghoulish Gaols, a fun history of Cork’s Gaols at 12noon. A talk by Anne Twomey, Shandon Area Historical Group on Bridie Conway at 2pm. A talk by Diarmuid O’Drisceoil on Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway 1850 to 1932 at 4pm.

The Masonic Hall on 27 Tuckey Street has been the home of Freemasonry in Cork since 1844. This is an end of terrace seven bay, four storey building with a slate pitched roof. It is believed that the ground and first floors of this building were constructed in c1770 and the top floor was under construction during 1924-1925 and opened in January 1926. From the outside this building may seem unassuming but behind the walls lies an interior of vast beauty and history. Downstairs there are display cabinets containing historic items relating to important events in the life of the Masonic Order including old Masonic aprons, levels and badges from the eighteenth century. One of the levels displayed there was used at the laying of the foundation stones of St Patrick’s Bridge and St Fin Barre’s Cathedral. A section of this room is devoted to the Hon Mrs. Elizabeth Aldworth (née St Ledger) the only female ever to be admitted to the Masonic Order. Upstairs the Lodge Room contains stalls and panelling which are over 300 years old having come from the former St Fin Barre’s Cathedral. The banners on the walls are the coats of arms of some of the highest ranking members in the Free Masons, those over the stalls belong to present members and those higher up towards the ceiling belonged to members now departed. The figures which surround the large mosaic are the plaster casts used in making the figures of the four Evangelists which surround the west window in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral. The Lodge room is used every month from September to May by the seven Lodges which meet in Cork City.

Triskel Christchurch

The Courthouse

Christ Church, South Main Street Open 11am to 5pm Partial wheelchair access

Washington Street Tours at 10.30am, 12pm & 12.45pm Full wheelchair access

The first courthouse on the Washington Street site was built in 1836. It is believed that this original Courthouse was designed by the brothers Richard and George Pain. This building was destroyed by fire on Good Friday, March 27th, 1891 and with it much of the City’s official records which were stored in the City Treasure and Sheriff’s office. All that remained was the portico and façade on Washington Street. The present courthouse is a Neo-Classical Courthouse with Corinthian detail. It was rebuilt in 1895 by William Hill architect and Samuel Hill building contractor. It was originally designed with an open courtyard to its centre in which the bar room was located, providing the barristers immediate access to the two main courtrooms. The building has remained largely unaltered since that time until April 2003 when it was fully refurbished. The project took 20 months to complete at a total costs of €26 million and was re-opened in 2005. Wherever possible the original architecture of the building has been retained and carefully restored. This includes the courtroom furniture, upholstery, fireplaces and decorative plaster. The highlight of this building is the skyline dome which has been completely restored, re- fenestrated and re-clad externally in copper. This building is considered to be one of the best examples of Neo-Classical public architecture in Ireland and one of the most important buildings in the city both from an architectural and social history perspective. Guided tours of the Courthouse, Washington Street will take place at 10.30am, 12pm & 12.45pm. Booking essential on www.corkheritageopenday.ie/events

Christchurch is located on South Main Street, once the main street of medieval Cork. The present-day church sits on the site of two previous churches, the first dating from around 1050 AD, the second an Anglo- Norman Structure dating from around 1180 AD. Present day Christchurch is an 18th century neoclassical Georgian building (1720) designed by architect John Coltsman with later renovations carried out by George Richard Pain in 1825. Christchurch was the main civic church of the city from the mid- 17th to the mid-19th century and was the burial place of some of the chief citizens of Medieval Cork. The best-known tombstone within Christchurch is that of “The Modest Man”, which was dedicated to twice Mayor of Cork Thomas Ronan (d 1554). It is visible near the Stone Stairs of Christchurch.

St Peter’s Cork St. Peter’s Cork, North Main Street Open 10am to 6pm Full wheelchair access 20

Crawford Art

Gallery Emmet Place Open 10am to 5pm Full wheelchair access

The history of St. Peter’s Church dates back to 1270 when King Henry III granted patronage of the church to the Bishop of Cork. St. Peter’s church was deconsecrated in 1949 and since then has developed into a visitor centre celebrating Cork’s heritage and culture. The building remained dilapidated until 1988 when Cork City Council took on the task of restoring this historic building as a public cultural facility. In 2016, the facility management company L.W. Management were awarded the management contract for St. Peter’s to be operated as a public heritage and arts visitor space in Cork City Centre. The current exhibitions and secret garden all help to tell the tale of the fabulous history of Cork.

Crawford Art Gallery is a national cultural institution located in a significant heritage building in the heart of Cork city dedicated to the visual arts, both historic and contemporary. The gallery’s collection comprises of over 3,000 works, ranging from eighteenth-century Irish and European painting and sculpture, through to contemporary video installations. Originally built in 1724 as the city’s custom house, the Gallery is home to the famous Canova Casts, gifted to the city of Cork two centuries ago. Well-known and loved works by 20th century Irish artists such as Seán Keating, Harry Clarke, Norah McGuinness, Mainie Jellett and Jack B. Yeats feature in the gallery’s historic collection, while the modern collection features work by contemporary artists such as Eilis O’Connell, Gerard Byrne, Dorothy Cross, Maud Cotter and Hughie O’Donoghue. A guided tour of the Crawford Art Gallery will take place at 2pm.

Military Historian Gerry White will give a talk on the Siege of Cork at 1pm.

Ciara Brett and John Sunderland will give a talk on Beneath the Street: Recent Archaeological Excavations at 92-96 North Main Street at 3pm.

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