The Imperial Hotel
AIB Bank
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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
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