Famous (And Not so Famous) Landmarks of Cork City
There are many landmarks in and around Cork City but I’m just going to focus on ones that I encounter on a daily and weekly bases. The first landmark I see when I open my curtains in the morning is St. Finbarre’s Cathedral. I walk past it everyday on my way to college. The cathedral that is there now was built in 1879 but it has been a site of worship since the 7th century. It’s definitely worth checking out if you like architecture.
Another landmark I see daily is on UCC’s campus. It’s hard to miss the Quad. Four squares of the greenest lawns are surrounded by a medieval looking building that seems like it’s out of a Harry Potter movie. It was built between 1847 and 1849. Be careful about walking over the crest under the archway of the Quad because there are a few student superstitions. One such superstition is don’t walk over the Quad unless you want to fail your exams.
If you take a walk along Grand Parade in the city there are a few things to look out for.
If you like fresh meats, fruits, vegetables, and pastries then take a wander through the English Market. Opened in 1788 it’s one of the oldest markets of its type. I recommend trying the freshly baked breads and pastries. They are amazing!
A not so famous land mark is right across the street from the English Market. It’s a small park called Peace Park. In December, all the trees in the park are covered in a colorful array of lights. In my video about the holidays I talked about the Winter market that takes place there and outside of the park. Now it’s filled with blooming flowers.
To the side of the park is a fountain and behind it is Oliver Plunkett Street. And further down from the fountain is The National Monument. It was constructed in 1906 as a memorial for the Irish Patriots who died between 1798 and 1867.
These are just a few of the landmarks in Cork City. There are many other churches and parks scattered around. Not to mention all the other famous landmarks outside of the city like Blarney Castle. But you’ll just have to come to Cork yourself to see all that it has to offer.
