The stories behind the built heritage of Cork city are to be celebrated this Saturday, August 19th with more than 40 buildings throwing open their doors free-of-charge for the 13th annual Cork Heritage Open Day.

For a full list of events see corkheritageopenday.ie.

Many of the buildings taking part in this year’s Cork Heritage Open Day are not usually accessible to the general public, including The Masonic Hall on Tuckey Street and Heineken Ireland (Murphy’s Brewery) on Leitrim Street. New heritage gems on the 2017 programme include the recently renovated Nano Nagle Place on Douglas Street and University College Cork’s Crawford Observatory.

There will also be an exciting programme of free guided tours, including a walking tour by Marcus Connaughton of the favourite Cork haunts of legendary musician Rory Gallagher. A ‘Looking Up’ Heritage competition will take place throughout the day, encouraging people to glance upwards to the unique architectural elements atop of Cork’s historical buildings.

People are also invited to sample soup made for Quaker Soup Kitchens during the Famine; hear a talk on the history of the City Bridges with Antoin O’Callaghan; and find out more about the Navvies, the men who built the railways in Cork, in a talk by Patrick Walsh. There will be family friendly activities such as the much-loved Coal Quay Festival on Cornmarket Street and a fun-filled Medieval Day at Elizabeth Fort.

Cork Heritage Open Day is organised by Cork City Council as part of Heritage Week in partnership with the Heritage Council and is proudly supported by media sponsors Evening Echo and Cork’s 96FM.

For a full list of events see www.corkheritageopenday.ie or pick up a brochure at Cork City Library or Cork City Tourist Information Office on Grand Parade. 

Further information will also be available on Facebook at ‘Cork Heritage Open Day’ and on Twitter at @corkheritage.