Services » Roads & Transportation

The third section of Cork Walks, the City Centre Island, was launched by Lord Mayor, Cllr Terry Shannon on Thursday the 22^nd of September as part of European Mobility Week 2011 celebrations.

 Lord Mayor Cllr Terry Shannon at the launch of Cork Walks. Photo courtesy of Clare Keogh/ Evening Echo

At the Launch the Lord Mayor Cllr Terry Shannon welcomed this initiative and stated that Cork Walks would greatly add to the attractiveness of the city to both tourists and local people alike as well as giving a fascinating insight into the Heritage and History of the city.  He thanked the staff of Cork City Council involved in the development of the Cork Walks and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, who funded the walks.

Cork Walks are free self guided walks consisting of interpretive panels with local historic information, colour coded finger posts for guidance between the panels and a brochure with a map and description of sights along the way.  These walking trails link places and buildings of heritage interest throughout the city from the steps and steeples of Shandon, the religious, archaeology and arts of the South Parish, the medieval to modern of the City Centre and the academic environs of University College Cork.  Each trail takes approximately 1.5 hours each but can be tailored to the interest and fitness level of the individual or group.

 Mr Antóin O Callaghan, local historian, who researched and wrote the text, speaking at one of the Cork Walks panels. Photo courtesy of Clare Keogh/ Evening Echo

In his speech, Mr Antóin O Callaghan, local historian, who researched and wrote the text of the Cork Walks City Centre Island referred to the fact that Cork city is open for business and Cork Walks are a manifestation of that. He outlined how Cork people living away from their native place can play a role as ambassador for the city, telling people to come to Cork and experience the riches it has to offer.  He also quoted lines from John Fitzgerald, the bard of the Lee,

“Oh City of Islands, green and fair

Founded of old by pious St Fin barr

Venice of Erin, soft and sweet and rare

Thy name is ringing now in land afar

Ravaged in days of yore by pirate Dane

Battered and bent and trampled, downward hurled

But graced today by many a sacred fane

You take your place triumphant in the world”

 Mr Ian Winning, Erin O Brien and Noel Tummon Cork City Council. Photo courtesy of Clare Keogh/ Evening Echo

Ms Sarah Danaher and Anita Lenihan of Cork City Council. Photo courtesy of Clare Keogh/ Evening Echo

Cork Walks Brochures are available from Cork City Council (Transportation Dept) and the Tourist Office and will be downloadable from the Cork City Council website www.corkcity.ie

For further information Contact

Niamh O Brien, Executive Engineer - Tel 021 4924792

Or

Niamh Twomey, Heritage Officer - Tel 021 4924018

Back to list