Cork Public Museum, Cork

Standing in Fitzgerald Park is a two storey Georgian house, now known as Cork Public Museum. A Beamish family built this beautiful building as a place for their residence in 1845. In 1902 and 1903, the house was a host to the Cork International Exhibition, where many people visited the Art, Machinery and Agricultural exhibits. Later in 1906, this site became the Public Park.

In its initial few years, the building served as a Municipal Office as well as an Air Raid Protection Office. It then received grants from Cork Corporation and the County Council and reopened in 1945, after the Emergency and was administered by University College. With Prof. M.J. O’Kelly as the Curator, the museum began its work of collecting materials and setting up exhibits. Successive curators and museum staff were successful in obtaining important archaeological finds from this region and exhibiting them. Certain objects in the exhibits date back to the medieval period. It also houses Civic Regalia from the 19th and 20th centuries. Of these, silver and glass works of Cork, along with Youghal needlepoint Lace deserve special mention.

Funding from the European Regional Development Fund and City Council enabled the museum to build an extension, which opened in the late 1990s. One can enjoy the view of the River Lee, enjoy a coffee or snack and admire the trip to this museum in the Riverview Café.

Why You Should Visit:
Provides a nice summary of Ireland's history since time immemorial.
Is located a little outside the city center but can easily be reached on foot or by bus.
Admission is free.

Tip:
Stop by the café behind the museum building for some top-rate baked goods, coffee, and some light food.
The surrounding grounds should not be overlooked, either.