This year due to the Covid 19 pandemic, Cork Heritage Open Day is taking place virtually and Cork City Council invite you to take part in an online adventure and explore many of the buildings usually open to the public for this event.
The website launched on Saturday August 15th and will feature over 40 new videos of archival footage of Cork and guided tours of historic and heritage buildings in Cork. Videos have all been subtitled making them accessible to everyone.
Members of the public will be able to explore some of Cork's finest historic buildings including:
Ballincollig Gunpowder Mills, Blarney Castle, Fota House, Trinity Presbyterian Church, the Back Water Artists Building, St Peter’s Cork, the Custom House Port of Cork, Triskel Christchurch, the Crawford Art Gallery, CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory, the National Sculpture Factory, the Everyman, Heineken Ireland, Cork Savings Bank, Unitarian Church and Fitzgerald House, home to the Cork Chamber.
Throughout Cork Heritage Open Day and Cork Heritage Week (August 15th to August 23rd) a series of interviews on a wide range of historic events and buildings in Cork will be available on the website.
- Local Historian Liam O hÚigín will speak about growing up in the Middle Parish in Cork
- Military Historian Gerry White will discuss the life of Terence MacSwiney
- Cllr. Kieran McCarthy will give a virtual tour of City Hall, one of Cork's most splendid buildings which replaced the old City Hall that was destroyed in the Burning of Cork in 1920
- Cork’s 96FM DJ Lorraine Murphy will delve into the history of Broadcasting House which was dates back to 1888 and was home to the Vincentian Fathers and the Christian Brothers
- Dr David Butler will talk about Masonic Hall, home of Freemasonry in Cork since 1844
- Denis McGarry will give an insight into the Military Museum Collins Barracks which contains memorabilia associated with Michael Collins
- Peter Stobart, Director of Music in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral will speak about the building and the magnificent organ in the Cathedral
- Mervyn Horgan will speak about the Old Cork Waterworks which played a significant role in Cork’s industrial heritage
Discover the history of the Cork Jewish community and take part in a Cork Jewish Culture Virtual Walking Tour. Produced and presented by local musician, Ruti Lachs, and supported by Cork City Council, the Virtual Walk focusses on seven Jewish sites in the city, with stories, poems, history, songs, and music from members of the Cork communities, past and present.
Take a step back in time on the website and enjoy wonderful footage and old images of Cork created by the Echo and by Tim McCoy. Enjoy heritage videos, history quizzes, colouring competitions, treasure hunts and lots more!
There will be virtual re-enactments of Medieval Day in Elizabeth Fort, wonderful footage of Cork Coal Quay Festival, interviews with Stonemasons from Carpenters Hall and valuable tips and advice on genealogy for those looking to trace their family trees.
Cork Heritage Open Day is on Facebook (/corkheritageopenday), Twitter (@corkheritage) and on Instagram(@corkheritage).
