Historic Cork buildings open to public today free of charge

Members of the public in Cork will have the chance to visit dozens of historic buildings across the city today, free of charge.

Cork Heritage Open Day is a celebration of the built heritage in the city and is a unique opportunity to explore over 40 buildings which are not usually open to the public.

For one day only, historic and heritage buildings in Cork will welcome members of the public, free of charge, among them the Masonic Hall, Quaker Meeting House, Military Museum Collins Barracks, Carpenters Hall, Heineken Ireland, Cork Savings Bank, Backwater Artists Group and Riverstown House.

Organised by Cork City Council in partnership with the Heritage Council, Cork Heritage Open Day takes place today, marking the start of National Heritage Week which runs in Cork until Sunday, August 25.

Cork will celebrate its history in style as local historians take to the streets of Cork and deliver historical guided walking tours in locations such as Jewtown, Shandon, McCurtain Street, Douglas Street and the Middle Parish.

A number of free walking tours will take place on Cork Heritage Open Day, among them an opportunity to discover the key geological locations in the city with Thomas Heising; a walking exploration of the shopping and business history of the VQ area with Danielle O’Donovan; and a chance to learn about the history of Douglas Street and Red Abbey with David Ryan.

Ruti Lachs will lead a musical walk through Cork’s Jewish history, and Michael O’Donovan will offer a historic stroll through the Coal Quay.

The guided tours are not just limited to the city streets as Liam O’ hÚigín and Finbarr Barry will give a guided tour of St Joseph’s Cemetery on Tory Top Road, and Tadhg O’ Connor will deliver a walk and talk through the Gunpowder Mill in Ballincollig.

To celebrate Cork Heritage Open Day, the LÉ Aoibhinn Naval Vessel will be docked in the Cork City Docks and it will be the ship’s first visit to Cork since its arrival into the Irish Naval Service.

Several free talks will also take place showcasing the history and people of Cork.

• Adrian Mulligan who is part of the Federick Douglass Group will give a walking tour and a talk on Federick Douglass in the Imperial Hotel.
• Shandon Area History Group will give a talk at Bells Field on the unique views from Audley Place and the rich history of the area.
• Military Historian Gerry White will give a talk on the Siege of Cork in St Peter’s Cork.
• Ciara Brett and John Sunderland will give a talk on recent archaeological excavations at 92 to 96 North Main Street.
• Diarmuid O’ Drisceoil will give a talk on Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway 1850 to 1932 in Cork City Library. This talk will also feature ISL Interpretation Services.

For further information, see corkopenheritageday.ie.