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Historic places in Cork

7 historic buildings, sites and memorials in Cork.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Historic places in Cork

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    Blackrock Castle Observatory

    If pirates ever try to attack Cork from the moon, this place will give ample warning. It was first built in 1582 to defend the harbour and its shipping, but twice burnt down without the help of any marauders. The present castle is a cod-medieval structure of 1828; in 2007 it became an astronomy museum and observatory.

    Wed-Sun 10AM-4PMAdult €7, conc or child €5

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    Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne

    This is the neo-Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral, opened in 1808.

    Mon-Thu 8:30AM-4:30PM, Fri 8:30AM-3:30PM

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    Cork Public Museum

    Wide-ranging museum depicts the city's history from prehistoric to modern times. There's a good section on Michael Collins and the anti-Treaty Cork Brigades of the Irish civil war.

    Tue-Fri 10AM-4PM, Sat 11AM-4PMFree

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    Elizabeth Fort

    The original fort built in 1601 was just timber and earth, and the citizens made short work of it. It was rebuilt from 1624 as a stout "star" fortress. It lost its defensive role in 1719 but was variously used as a barracks, a depot for convicts (mostly female) awaiting transportation to the colonies, and a police station to 2013. It's now simply a tourist area with a gallery and occasional events, and you can walk along the walls.

    Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PMFree

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    St Fin Barre's Cathedral

    Saint Fin Barre (550-623 AD) was a preacher who spent his last 17 years hereabouts. A monastery dedicated to him was built in the 7th century, and there have been at least three churches on the site before the present building. This is an elaborate Church of Ireland (Anglican) cathedral built 1865-79 in Gothic Revival style. The interior is relatively small: Burgess the architect realised it would go way over budget so the focus was on creating a grand frontage, to impress the citizens and overawe the resurgent Catholics. There are three great spires, intricate carvings and gargoyles, stain glass windows, and a high ceiling over a rather stubby nave. The pipe organ adds to the cathedral's many expensive items of construction and maintenance.

    Mon-Sat 9:30AM-5:30PM, Sun 1-5:30PMAdult €7, conc €6, child free

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    Barryscourt Castle

    Impressive tower house from 14th century, but mostly 15th and 16th; it fell derelict but was restored in the 1990s. The interior is again closed for restoration but you can see the attractive herb and knot gardens, and an orchard with examples of every type of Irish Apple Tree.

    Daily 8AM-6PMGarden free

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    Butter Museum

    This museum explores Ireland's long history of butter-making. 1000-year-old bog butter, anyone?

    Oct-May: Wed–Sat 10AM-4PM, Sun 11AM–4PM; Jun-Sep: Mon–Sat 10AM-4PM, Sun 11AM–4PMAdult €5, students & seniors €4, child €2

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Cork (CC BY-SA 4.0).