Cork Museums

(Cork, County Cork, Republic of Ireland)

There are a number of museums and similar cultural attractions dotted around the Cork area, offering an insight into the city's rich history and its past industries. The Cork Public Museum is perhaps the best, being set in a grand Georgian mansion and sited within Fitzgerald Park.

Located on O'Connell Square, the Butter Museum is surprisingly interesting and visitors will learn how this city was once the centre of the Butter Exchange in the 19th century. Close by, you may also like to consider paying a visit to the Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills at Ballincollig Regional Park, and to the Cobh Museum, where the regional maritime heritage is clearly documented.

Butter Museum

Address: O'Connell Square, Cork, Republic of Ireland
Tel: +353 021 430 0600
All you ever wanted to know about Ireland's most famous product, butter, is here, from the origins of the dairy herds and the preservation of butter in bogs, to all of the traditional methods of making and storing this spreadable produce. Traditional farming life and dairy culture is the main focus here, while the history of the 19th-century Butter Market is explored, along with the traditional craft of how butter was once made at home by many locals.
Open hours: daily, March to October - 10:00 to 17:00; July and August - 19:00 to 18:00; off-season by arrangement
Admission: charge, discounts for seniors, students and children, free admission every Friday during July, August and September

Cork Public Museum

Address: Fitzgerald Park, Cork City Centre, Cork, Republic of Ireland
Tel: +353 021 427 0679
The Cork Public Museum houses collections of local memorabilia, a Michael Collins exhibition and items relating to Thomas MacCurtain and Terence MacSweeney, martyred Lord Mayors of the city. Further displays concentrate on the craft or crochet and lace making, which the city was once famous for. The main building dates back to 1845 and was previously the home of the wealthy Beamish family, while the contrasting modern extension was added in 1996. The surrounded landscaped gardens are also very worthy of a look.
Open hours: April to September, Monday to Friday - 11:00 to 13:00, 14:15 to 17:00, Saturday - 11:00 to 13:00, 14:15 to 16:00, Sunday - 15:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Cobh Museum

Address: High Road, Cobh, Near Cork, Republic of Ireland
Tel: +353 021 481 4240
Located just outside of the city and easy to reach by wither bus or car, this quaint little museum deals with Cork's fascinating maritime history, with a nod to local general history and culture. Housed in a former Scots Presbyterian church, directly above the Heritage Centre, exhibitions clearly explain how this spot was once Ireland's number one transatlantic departure port until the middle of the 20th century.
Open hours: April to November, Monday to Saturday - 11:00 to 13:00, 14:00 to 16:00, Sunday - 14:30 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills

Address: Ballincollig Regional Park, Near Cork, Republic of Ireland
Ballincollig, near Cork city, is home to the ancient powder mills which once manufactured gunpowder for the British Government. Although the visitor centre is now closed, visitors to Ballincollig Regional Park can inspect the ruins of the gunpowder sheds. Considering the number of explosions which occurred here during the facility's working life, it's amazing there are any left!
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Cork Vision Centre

Address: St. Peter's, North Main Street, Cork, Republic of Ireland
Tel: +353 021 427 9925
Basically an exhibition centre, the Cork Vision Centre nevertheless shows much interest about the city, as well as exhibitions by local and international artists, sculptors, photographers and suchlike, plus a permanent 1:500 scale model of the city itself. The Vision Centre is located within the very heart of the historical city centre and concentrates on subject matters such as conservation, history and the city's evolution. Visiting exhibitions of art and local artefacts add further interest.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free