Renovated houses inside Elizabeth Fort are now available to rent

Members of the public can now book a stay at one of Cork's most historic buildings after the renovation and conservation of two houses inside Elizabeth Fort has been completed.

The Irish Landmark Trust said the two new properties – Parade House and Garrison House, located within the 17th century Fort are now available to rent.

The conservation of these houses was managed in partnership with Cork City Council. Each house will sleep three people – in a double room and a single room. 

Prices for a two-night stay in one of the houses start at €363.

Elizabeth Fort was originally built as a defensive fortification on high ground outside the city walls; the city eventually grew around the fort. 

The fort took on various other roles over the years including that of a military barracks, a prison and, latterly, a Garda station. Since the closure of the Garda station and other offices on the site, local historical interest groups had advocated for further and permanent development of the site for tourism.

In January 2014 the site was fully and formally passed from the Office of Public Works to the control of Cork City Council to facilitate this development and Irish Landmark’s conservation project will bring many people to stay in the house and spend money locally.

Irish Landmark operates a number of unique properties around the country including Galley Head Lighthouse.

Mary O’ Brien CEO, Irish Landmark Trust said: “The quality of the conservation is exceptional and we are proud to offer these two houses to those guests seeking to stay somewhere special in the city of Cork.” 

Inside Elizabeth Fort, the original footprint of the houses were retained, and the furniture and fittings have been chosen to reflect a sense of bygone times.

The design team on the project was Blackwood Associates, and it was led by Kevin Blackwood and Stephen Murphy; the contractor was Queenstown Restoration Ltd, led by David Higgins and his foreman Pat O’Reilly; QS was Richard Mossop of DLMP and the interiors consultant was Jessie Wilkinson.