Cork Heritage Open Day Brochure

Elizabeth Fort

St Fin Barre’s

Cathedral Bishop Street Open 10am to 5pm Full wheelchair access

Barrack Street Open 10am to 5pm, last entry 4.30pm Partial wheelchair access

Elizabeth Fort was first built in 1601 by Sir George Carew, the then president of Munster during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The fort was built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the city from the south. Following the death of Elizabeth in 1603, the fort was attacked by the citizens of Cork, however, when the city was re-taken, they were compelled to rebuild it at their own expense. It was replaced in 1624 by a stronger, stone fort, much of which survives today. It is reputed that improvements were also made by order of Oliver Cromwell in 1649. In 1690 the fort was besieged, along with the city, by Williamite forces while being held by the Jacobites, an event known as The Siege of Cork. After a week of attack, the city walls were breached, the city and the fort were then surrendered. In the following years, the fort was used as an army barracks, a female prison for convicts awaiting transportation, an RIC station and a Garda station until 2013. 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 timber-viewing gallery along the north side of the courtyard. Elizabeth Fort is now in the hands of Cork City Council, who are in the process of developing this valuable asset as a major public attraction within the city. Guided tours at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Booking essential on www.elizabethfort.ie

One of Cork’s most distinctive landmarks, St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral is located where Cork’s Patron Saint founded his first Church and School. It is the diocesan cathedral of the Church of Ireland and the Bishop’s residence is directly opposite the cathedral gate. St. Fin Barre’s was designed by the notable architect, William Burges, who also designed the stained glass, the sculptures, the mosaics, the furniture and metal work for the interior. The foundation stone was laid in 1865 and the building was consecrated in 1870. The Cathedral is stylistically late 13th century pointed Gothic and is cruciform in shape. It has triple spires with portals to the west front and an abundance of external stone carved detail. Cork limestones and marbles were used throughout the building. Interesting features include the high columns of the nave made of Bath stone. The walls are lined internally with Cork Red Marble. The iconographic scheme deals with the journey to the new Jerusalem and some of the best stained glass in Ireland show scenes from the Old and New Testaments. The organ, dating from 1889, is placed in the north transept. It is the largest Cathedral Organ in Ireland and the only one in a pit in Britain or Ireland. There is a canon ball dating from the siege of Cork, 1690 and there are over 1200 carvings. The Cathedral is of major international significance as one of the key buildings of Burges and of nineteenth century architecture in Ireland. Guided tours of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral at 10am, 2pm and 4pm.