Cathedral Church of St Fin Barre, Cork ~ One of Ireland’s Iconic Buildings

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Situated on a site where worship has been offered since 606AD, Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral is the finest example of French Neo-Gothic Cathedral architecture in Ireland and one of the most coherent in Western Europe.  Designed by William Burges the Cathedral boasts over 1,500 stone and wood carvings, spectacular stained glass windows, marble features and floor mosaics crafted by Italian craftsmen.  The historic ‘Pit Organ’ is the only one of its kind in Ireland.  Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of their choice throughout visiting hours.

Highlights for visitors include:

  • Statues and gargoyles
  • Floor mosaics and wood carvings
  • The elaborately decorated Chancel ceiling
  • The ‘Pit Organ’
  • A cannonball fired during the Siege of Cork in 1690
  • The Bible story told in stained glass
  • The burial plaque of the only female Freemason in Ireland

Opening Times for Visitors

Monday-Saturday 9:30-17:30

Sunday 12:30 – 17:00 (April-November only)

Admission

In order to maintain this highly complex listed building and to keep it open for visitors a modest admission fee is requested:

Adult €5.00  (Children & Students with I.D. €3.00)

Admission includes a self guiding brochure (with a specially designed edition for children) and a guided tour if required.

Group rates are available on request.

Location

The Cathedral is just a short walk from the city centre and can be entered via Proby’s Quay or Bishop Street.  Limited short term parking is available in the Cathedral forecourt, otherwise the St Finbarr’s car park at the bottom of Sharman Crawford Street is nearby. There is a bus stop for the City open top tours and public transport right outside the Cathedral on Proby’s Quay.

Access

A wheelchair ramp is available.

Tours can be given using the Cathedral’s built in ‘deaf-loop’ system.

At present, toilet facilities are very limited and cannot facilitate large groups or disabled visitors.  The Cathedral authorities are currently working to address this issue.

Cathedral Gift Shop

The Cathedral Gift Shop is open during visitor opening times and stocks a wide range of items, some unique to the Cathedral and some of wider regional and national interest.

All profits are used to maintain the Cathedral and keep it open to tourist and pilgrim alike.

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