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Cork

Cork is the largest County in Ireland covering a land area of 1,849,686 acres. Cork city is the largest urban area in the county with a population of over 160,000. The city was founded on the river Lee by the Vikings in 846AD close to the monastic site of St. Finbar.  The county has a large coastline with important harbours at Bantry, Kinsale, Youghal and Cork. Archaeological evidence suggests that the County has been inhabited from the mesolithic period onwards. Large towns in the county include Macroom, Bandon, Mallow, Kanturk, Blarney and Fermoy

North Main Street

North Main Street was the Main Street of Cork’s medieval city. It had a maze like network of narrow lanes and alleys emerging from it on both sides. A project whose aim was to kick-start the process of physical and socio-economic regeneration in the Historic Centre of Cork was established in this area by Cork Corporation. The project was targeted at demonstrating a positive future for the historic core of the city both economically and for the buildings themselves on North Main Street. The project was part funded by the European Commission It commenced in 1994 and was successfully completed in March 1998.

Bishop Lucy Park

Bishop Lucy Park is Cork City’s central park and was opened in 1985. The Grand Parade, South Main Street, Tuckey Street, and Christ Church Lane bound it. This site is steeped in History. In Bishop Lucy Park a portion of the medieval city wall can be seen. This was found during an excavation while the park was been prepared in 1984.

City Wall

The city wall of Cork was up to 50 feet in height and 12 feet wide. The area enclosed by the wall was oval in shape. From the North to the South Gate it measured 690 yards and from the Grand Parade to Grafton Street it measured 240 yards. The construction of the wall did not commence until after the arrival of the Anglo-Normans in 1172. After it’s completion it was referred to as the King’s Wall. As the centuries passed the importance of the wall was reduced. In September 1690 the wall especially the eastern portion was in a very bad state although the authorities continued to repair it. In 1692 by order of City Council the wall was made Rateable Property. By the close of the 18^th century the wall having served its purpose for nearly five centuries had disappeared from the landscape.

Elizabeth Fort

Elizabeth Fort off Barrack Street was built in the late 16^th century and was converted into a prison in 1835. The fort stands 300 yards along the northern front facing the old city. The walls are 50 feet high on the south side and 72 feet on the north side. There is evidence today that they were raised another 15 feet on all sides. The ramparts are open to the public and afford great views of the city .

Influence Of Cultural Groups

Huguenots: Paul Street has many French associations. It is known as the French Quarter. The Huguenots were French Protestants forced to flee their own country because of persecution in the 17^th century. In Cork they congregated in Paul Street, French Church Street and Carey’s Lane. They were artisan’s who established businesses in the city centre. The Huguenots cemetery can be found on French Church Street.

Quakers: On the 3^rd of September 1667 Penn attended a meeting of Quakers of Cork. As a consequence he, along with others present, was sent to prison by the magistrates. He was immediately released, and at once returned to his father in London. Penn now became a minister of the denomination and at once entered upon controversy and authorship. The religious Society of Friends has ¼ million members worldwide of which about 1,600 are in Ireland. “Quakers” is the nickname given to the Society of Friends more than 300 years ago. From the very start in 1652 the bible has been of great importance to the group. The religious Society of Friends is founded on the belief of god and in Jesus Christ. In Cork this group meets on a Sunday in Summerhill South at 11am.