Historic buildings to open doors to public

More than 40 historic and heritage buildings in Cork are inviting the public to visit their buildings for free as part of Cork Heritage Open Day.

Organised by Cork City Council in partnership with the Heritage Council, Cork Heritage Open Day takes place on Saturday, August 17 and marks the start of National Heritage Week which runs in Cork until August 25.

For one day only, more than 40 historic and heritage buildings in Cork will open their buildings to the public for free to mark the celebration of the built heritage in the city.

The Masonic Hall, Quaker Meeting House, Military Museum Collins Barracks, Carpenters Hall, Heineken Ireland, Cork Savings Bank, Backwater Artists Group and Riverstown House are some of the buildings that are not usually open to the public and that will open for Cork Heritage Open Day.

Local historians will take to the streets of Cork and deliver more than 10 historical guided walking tours in locations such as Jewtown, Shandon, McCurtain Street, Douglas Street, the Middle Parish, St Joseph’s Cemetery on Tory Top Road and the Gunpowder Mill in Ballincollig.

The LÉ Aoibhinn Naval vessel will also be docked at the city docks for what will be the ship’s first visit to Cork since it was acquired by the Irish Naval Service from the Royal New Zealand Navy in 2023.

Several free talks will also take place showcasing the history and people of Cork and will be delivered by Adrian Mulligan of the Frederick Douglass Group, Shandon Area History Group, military historian Gerry White, Ciara Brett and John Sunderland who will give a talk on recent archaeological excavations at 92 to 96 North Main Street, and Diarmuid O’Drisceoil who will give a talk on Cork, Blackrock, and Passage Railway from 1850 to 1932.

Speaking about the line-up of events, Lord Mayor of Cork, Dan Boyle, said: “I am delighted to see such a busy programme for Cork Heritage Open Day celebrating the fascinating heritage of Cork city.

“I commend all those involved, especially the building owners and event organisers, who generously give their time free of charge and without whom this event simply would not happen.”