Architecture of Cork


Using this map

This is an interactive map. You can zoom in to an area to explore it’s features. The buildings highlighted in red are those of cultural and architectural significance. Click on any red shape and it will display information about each building. Use the map menu on the left of your screen to browse other features of this site. I hope you enjoy your stay here. Please email info@cork.guide if you’d like further information or use the contact feature below. Thanks for visiting and be sure to bookmark us and share this map with friends!

Looking for accommodation in Cork? Please visit our partner Belvedere Lodge– Only a short hop away from Cork City Centre. Click here to check out their website

Thanks to our sponsors

And a very special thanks to..

https://corkcitytours.com

Explore the Ancient City: Take the Cork City Walls Tour

Find out more here

Drawing of the old Cork city walls.

Voulez-vous faire ce tour en français? 🇫🇷 Contactez moi á +353.87.6049599 ou email paul@cork.guide

Prints of Cork City’s Landmarks now available for purchase!

Choose from a growing list of original prints created by Paul Lee, a local architect and tour guide. This collection of cut-stone building illustrations documents the built heritage of Cork City in glorious detail. These high-definition prints will enhance any wall or display surface.

Prints are 5″x7″ (12.5cm x 17.5cm)

Saint Finbarre's Cathedral Cork

The History of Cork City

The earliest visible architecture of Cork dates back to about the 11th Century- Part of the Old City Walls are displayed in Bishop Lucey Park off the Grand Parade. Most of the notable buildings date from Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian times. Cork’s beautiful cut stone buildings are made from local limestone quarried from South of the River Lee. The North Side of the City supplies the Red Sandstone.

There are so many layers of Cork’s history that it’s hard to illustrate them all on one website. From pagan places of worship to the founding of Saint Finbarre’s monastery to Viking settlement to Norman walled City, the seige of Cork, Catholic Emancipation, the 1916 Rising, The Burning of Cork, and Michael Collins founding of the Free State, and finally Ireland’s capitulation to the EU Superstate. Cork has it all!

The Rebel County

Does Cork still deserve the title of the “Rebel County”? The term comes from one of the various English wars for the Throne of England. Perkin Warbeck, a young pretender to the Throne came to Cork looking to gain support for his cause in 1491. He was supported by the former Mayor of Cork, John Atwater. Perkin ultimately lost his struggle for the English Crown and ultimately his life- He was executed in London, but the term “Rebel County” has stuck to this day.

The architecture of Cork still stands as a record of the City and her past triumphs and struggles. She maintains much of that old identity to this day. What direction will Cork take? Will she fight to preserve all that is valuable or will she continue to be eroded by the forces that herald her destruction? We shall see.