Old Cork Waterworks Experience Old Cork Waterworks, Lee Road Open 11am to 4pm Full wheelchair access The award winning Old Cork Waterworks Experience is located on Lee Road on the north bank of the river in the western suburbs adjacent to the City Centre. The four accessible buildings surrounding a cobbled courtyard overlooking the river date to Sir John Benson’s 19th Century Cork City water supply scheme, although water was extracted from the area as far back as the 1760s. The highly significant group of buildings were conserved and adapted to provide a new role as Lifetime Lab through careful repair based on detailed specifications for conservation, sympathetic design of all new elements and careful, experienced conservation contractors under the eye of Jack Coughlan Architects. The restoration began in August 2004 and Old Cork Waterworks Experience opened to the public in February 2006. Guided tours of the Old Cork Waterworks Experience at 10.30am and at 12pm. Booking essential on www.oldcorkwaterworks.ie 31
CIT Blackrock Castle
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Observatory Castle Road, Blackrock Open 10am to 1pm Partial wheelchair access
Blackrock Castle was originally built on the Lee in 1582 by the citizens of Cork as a watch tower and fort to guard the river entrance against pirates and other invaders. In 1600 a round tower was constructed by the Elizabethan government at the request of the citizens of Cork for further protection. Following a charter by James I in 1608, Blackrock Castle was handed over to the City of Cork. In 1722 the old tower was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt with an octagonal room topped with a cupola. The castle was used at this time as the Corporation banquet hall and for “throwing the dart”. The original fortified structure, which survives at lower levels at Blackrock Castle, is today a National Monument and probably the oldest surviving structure still in use in the city of Cork. Explore the history of this iconic castle and the shared cultural heritage of the night sky from 10am to 1pm. Booking essential on www.bco.ie
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