CORK CITY – FULL OF INTEREST

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Cork city and the river Lee in evening light

Historically speaking, this beautifully ornamented building is found in what was one of the main financial centres of Cork City. It is found on the South Mall and has recently been restored to its former glory. It is a branch of the Allied Irish Bank, the building was constructed between 1863 and 1865. To say a few words about the South Mall, this street is in the location of a former river channel and some of its 18th century buildings retain evidence of street-level boat houses which fascinates me but I have not photographed any of it to date.

The red brick houses form a terrace dating back to the beginning of the nineteenth century, one wonders if they could have been old merchant houses lining the river? The bridge (St.Patrick’s) takes people and cars over the river Lee connecting Saint Patrick’s street and Bridge Street, and upwards to Patrick’s hill which is very steep. The bridge is built from limestone, and it’s a 158 years old. The interesting bit I read is that this bridge was originally set up to provide the butter merchants with a good link between the North side of the river and the warehouses and docks in the centre of the city.

  • Stairway at the Crawford Art Gallery in the heart of old Cork
  • Upcoming and ongoing art exhibitions at the Crawford
  • Red brick used in the building of the St.Peter and Paul church
  • Neo-Gothic architecture

What we saw when we stopped for coffee in Carey’s lane in the heart of the city, was part of the present Saint Peter and Saint Paul church, which has been built on the site of the original parish chapel which served the centre of Cork city centuries ago. But what we see now dates to the beginning of the 19th century when a larger church was built in neo-Gothic architecture. It is said to have some fine features, but I have not been inside. Some of these appear to be the altar which is made from Sicilian marble, and the apse which is highly decorated, including blue and gold ceiling panels and beautiful stained glass windows. Russian oak has been used to create the pulpit and some of the carpenters were said to have been Flemish and Irish. Just as a note of interest, Gregorian masses are still being sang every Sunday at 12noon. (Photo above)

  • View of City Hall from across the river
  • Clock tower of City Hall
  • Pleasant lanes in the heart of Cork
  • When weather is nice this is a lovely area
  • Branch of the AIB building at South Mall, Cork
Wow factor of all the red bright colours at the Everyman Palace Theatre, a fantastically busy place to date.
  • The Shandon tower in between the roof tops
Evening falling over the city.

I always enjoy going up to the city of Cork, it is the nearest city to us and takes two hours driving these days because of road works among other things. But as of any city the history is always so very interesting even if it is only bits and pieces.

15 thoughts on “CORK CITY – FULL OF INTEREST”

    1. Yes I guess it would 🙂 but we were there for one of my granddaughter’s dance performance, they did a end of year modern dancing together with her class. There was a lot of ballet also. It was riveting!

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      3. That must’ve been amazing, Agnes!! How old is your granddaughter? You’ve probably noticed that our daughter is a keen dancer. She’s 13 now and working hard towards becoming a professional ballerina or dancer. She was recently accepted into a local ballet company for young people and they’re putting on Swan Lake. I’ll have to show her the photo of the Cork theatre there and tell her about your granddaughter. I’d love to see some photos if you’re able to email them through.
        Best wishes,
        Rowena

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      4. How nice that your daughter is also a keen dancer, it’s so good and nice for them isn’t it. I’ll tell my granddaughter about your daughter. Alice is 10 since the winter.

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  4. Hi Agnes,
    Thank you so much for taking me on this virtual tour of Cork tonight. I was feeling a bit melancholy. It wet and cold here and I’ve been working so hard on my research but it’s become so much bigger than I thought and my hopes for getting something done relatively quickly have been dashed. However, what’s emerging is much richer, more complex but hasn’t made it into words on paper as yet. It can be hard to keep the faith at times. I’m also desperate to get a plane and go to the places my ancestors came from. I had John Curtin who was born in Cork City and baptised at St Finbarr’s 1st July, 1831. He came out to Australia in 1855. So, it’s interesting looking at your photos of Cork City and the dates on the different buildings which look pretty old and yet they weren’t there when he was there.
    I’ve been researching my first ancestor to come out to Australia, a convict called John Paton who came from Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland. He came left Scotland on the 9th April 1817. So, when I try to picture what he saw, I have to subtract a lot of buildings. It’s quite intriguing and I love all of this. I wonder what I’d be doing if my family had stayed in the same place and I didn’t have this complex web to chase up and all the ethical issues I’m grappling with as most of my ancestors were pioneers who displaced the Aboriginal people. They could’ve stayed in the same village. I wonder how many people like that still exist these days?
    While I’ve been tapping away here, Rosie the border collie x kelpie pup about 2 years old, keeps dropping the remnant of tennis ball on my laptop and when her patience runs out, she taps the keyboard with her paw with quite a dainty touch but she makes a few additions.
    Just found out my husband’s plane was delayed. I’m a night owl but I was hoping to pick him and the kids up in the one swoop so I only had to leave the warmth of the heated house once.
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

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    1. It’s a beautiful bridge all right Rowena, thank you for sharing the link to it. I love those old photos. I’ve just put up a post on Bandon which is about half an hour’s drive from Cork city, it is also a very interesting place.

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      1. I’ve come across Bandon in my research. Will check it out. The names are very familiar but I have no idea what they’re like.
        BTW do you know why the Irish houses don’t have eaves etc at the front. They seem to be flat to the road. I’ve been intrigued.
        Best wishes,
        Rowena

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      2. Not sure why there are no eaves on the houses in Ireland Rowena, it is a good question. Eaves would protect properties a little of all the rain, would it not. (I had to go and check the word ‘eaves’ as did not know what was meant by it) 🙂

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