Coffee shop opens next to Bell's Field - with the finest view in Cork!

IT’S surely one of the most scenic sites in Cork city.

Bell’s Field is the green spot at the top of Patrick’s Hill, overlooking Shandon Bells and the North Cathedral.

Now, as well as the iconic view, people here can also enjoy coffee and crepes at the new Bell’s Coffee and Crepes shop.

Jan Lau, one of the people behind it, certainly enjoys her working station more than most.

“The view here is so beautiful and you can especially see Shandon Bells and the church over there,” she says.

A few years ago I was here for a picnic, I saw the area around and it amazed me. I’ve been here (in Cork) for ten years and grabbed the opportunity.

When we spoke, Bell’s had been open for just two weeks, but was already gaining steady business, making connections with locals and Instagram followers far and wide.

Jan explains: “You can look around and see that there’s nowhere for coffee or snacks for a hundred metres.”

Bell’s has filled the void by offering coffee and an array of crepes, both savoury and sweet, providing something for everyone’s taste.

“Our coffee is from Soma, which is quite popular in Cork and is quite local,” says Jan.

She also shared the cafe’s plans. 

“In the future, we will be expanding to include fresh baking. One of the partners is a baker, but for now, it’s all about coffee and crepes.”

The plans are ambitious, aiming to create a comprehensive menu catering to the diverse tastes of its customers.

The local community has welcomed Bell’s with open arms.

Jan said: “The residents have been very friendly and enquired about when the shop would open. They gave advice and mentioned how there were hundreds, even a thousand people, who would visit the field. They didn’t talk much about the winter though!”

This support from local residents reflects the sense of community that defines Cork city and that businesses can tap into.

Jan also mentioned an encounter with a local lady, who told her the importance of having something for tourists to enjoy while visiting the field.

The cafe’s future expansion into scones and more indicates their commitment to providing a wide variety of options for both residents and visitors.

Jan said: “I love Cork because the people are so lovely and friendly.”

Her enthusiasm for her home city is palpable, and she is determined to share the beauty of Bell’s Field and its views with as many people as possible.

“Plenty of people, even from Cork city, don’t know this place and I just want to let them know about the amazing views.

“Even my friends from Ballincollig don’t know about it… 

People from around here tell me all the interesting things about the place, like all the picnics, and couples like to go on dates here.

Other coffee shops have tried their luck in this location before, as Jan noted, but without enduring success.

It appears that Bell’s Field has yet to gain a reputation as a spot worth visiting in the city, despite the incredible view it offers.

A quick Google search of ‘Bell’s Field Cork City’ or a glance at Reddit results in a mixture of a few reviews, questions about safety, reports on anti-social behaviour during the Covid pandemic, and one wedding proposal.

However, there’s no Wikipedia page, and scant history of the area - I couldn’t even find out why it’s called Bells Field!

Contrast that with The Lough, Fitzgeralds Park or the Marina, where you get a buzz of excitement and curiosity.

Bell’s Field did feature in TV comedy The Young Offenders, however, on a bench where Conor and Jock shared some sweet moments.

There has been talk within Cork City Council of redeveloping it. Ideas floated have included proposals for a plaza, a biodiversity garden, a remembrance garden, for improved seating and amenities, or a viewing platform with binoculars.

Indeed, being just the other side of Richmond Hill from Lady’s Well, for centuries a site of pilgrimage, means that any change could be integrated into a larger reimagining of a unique part of the northside.

For now, Jan and her cafe are tapping into its natural beauty.

She and the rest of the team understand the risks involved in their venture, but they are filled with hope and faith in the future of this hidden gem of Cork city.

While the city centre is dominated by coffee shop chains, this cafe is a true grassroots effort driven by the love of residents for their city.

More than just a coffee station, it’s a celebration of the local community, a showcase of the stunning natural beauty of the area, and a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit within the city.

As they expand their offerings and introduce fresh baking, it’s clear that the future is bright for Jens and her team.

Small though it is, this venture represents the spirit of Cork city - resilient, welcoming, and committed to preserving its unique and beautiful treasures.