THE PRINCES STREET CHURCH The Princes Street Unitarian…read moreChurch was built 300 years ago and when completed in 1717 became known as the New Meeting House. While the church, almost hidden away in the busy street, is in good condition for its age, repairs are needed and restoration is in progress. Grants from various public bodies help in the work but the public are also being asked to help though donations. "By opening this centrally located building for greater public use we are creating an attractive meeting place for groups that would otherwise have difficulty finding affordable space. The income thus generated will make this unique structure a self-sustaining feature of the life of Cork City." That seems to be the best path to the future though the building is pretty well known as it is already quite a busy place and used by many organisations for meetings. Even during the recent Heritage Day, a craft fair was being held in front. If you are interest in holding an event (eg classes or exhibitions) here, you are invited to ring 087 8101943. I made my first visit there that day, got a friendly welcome and the offer of a cuppa. Find out more by visiting the interesting website below. http://www.unitarianchurchcork.org/ 021 4383541

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY CHURCH The church on Shanakiel Road…read morelooks like many others but what distinguishes it is the language in which the mass is conducted: Latin. Our Lady of the Rosary Church, part of the Society of St Pius X (founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre) in Ireland, holds its 11.00am Sunday mass in the traditional Latin. Tel: 021 4399242 Web: http://ireland.sspx.net/

Wanted to drop by a Catholic church while we were in Cork, Ireland. We dropped by the Cathedral of…read moreSt. Mary & St. Anne. There was no mass taking place at the time so we were able to explore the church a bit and take some photos. Of course, we said our prayers and thanked God for the opportunity to visit Ireland. The church is very lovely. Highly recommend dropping in if you want to say a prayer and give thanks.

Have attended a few funerals recently in the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne (better known as the…read moreNorth Cathedral). The harsh stone of the outside indicates a similar interior but that, at least nowadays, is not the case, the inside being bright and airy. The church itself was commenced in 1808 but a later fire meant the interior had to be re-modelled in 1828 and GR Pain's work has been described as "one of the country's finest examples of a Florid Gothic Style of architecture". It is the chief Catholic church of the city and Bishop Cornelius Lucey, one of its most famous bishops, is buried in the grounds. The church holds records of baptisms and marriages going back to 1748. It is close to St Anne's of Shandon and on most bus tours and may also be found by following the very interesting Shandon Walk (available in the tourist office in Grand Parade).

Christian worship has been offered on this site since the seventh century. Standing inside, that is…read morenot difficult to believe. The current structure was designed by William Burges, appointed architect in 1862, and consecrated on St. Andrew's Day, 1870 -- initially budgeted at £15,000, ultimately costing £100,000 by completion. Every pound of that overspend is visible and entirely justified. The towers and spires are crafted from Cork limestone, the interior features red Cork marble, and the walls of Bath stone hold stained glass windows that retain their vivid, unfaded colors -- among the finest in Ireland. The gentleman at the entry desk was genuinely kind, unhurried, and offered historical context that deepened the visit in a way a leaflet simply cannot. That kind of quiet, knowledgeable hospitality is rare and worth noting. Burges' meticulous attention extended to every corner -- sculpture, mosaics, furniture, and metalwork all bear his hand. Walking through the interior, the cumulative effect of the detail is something you have to experience in person. Photography captures the scale but not the feeling. The cathedral also houses Ireland's only pit organ, boasting 4,600 pipes -- first used at the 1870 consecration and still in regular use for lunchtime recitals and choral services. The Choral Foundation at St Fin Barre's has been in continuous existence for over 700 years, which is a fact worth pausing on. The entry fee is modest and directly supports conservation of an irreplaceable building. The grounds and labyrinth outside are free. If you are in Cork City, this is a non-negotiable stop -- not because you should, but because you will not regret it. Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No

Actually seeing pic of the cathedral with the colorful houses is the reason I wanted to come to…read morethis area. Otherwise probably wouldn't have came to cobh or Cork. The church was amazing and beautiful inside and out. Finding the angle with the colorful houses took a minute. There is a park across from the colorful houses that is decent view but the best was above that street on private property. There is a sign requesting donations for use of the spot. They planted a tree that seems like it will soon ruin the view. At the church the wind was sever.

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH Down river from St Fin Barre's…read moreCathedral, on the opposite bank, stands the Capuchins' Holy Trinity Church, classified architecturally as Regency Gothic-style with Gothic-Revival portico. Its location makes it one of the most viewed, not necessarily the best known, of the many churches in the city. The river side site was selected by Fr Matthew and the foundation stone was laid in October 1832 but lack of funds and other practical difficulties meant that the church was unfinished when consecrated 18 years later. In the early 1890s, Dominic Coakley's successful design reduced the scale of G.R. Pain's original plan; the Holy Trinity, now boasting a spire and facade, was finally completed. The church contains stained glass panels by the Harry Clarke studios and the stained glass window memorial to Daniel O'Connell behind the high altar. The Capuchins themselves are proud of replica of the Damiano Crucifix.

HUGUENOT GRAVEYARD Many French Huguenots, fleeing religious…read morepersecution, came to Ireland in the 17th century and a few hundred settled in Cork, making a significant contribution to the life of the city. The more independent of these formed their own church in French Church Street (then Lumley Street)/Carey's Lane and later acquired an adjacent plot for use as a graveyard. This small graveyard is still in existence. It has survived attempts to build on it. Its future now looks secure. The site was acquired by the Corporation in 2006 and reinstatement work has been carried out since. It is now enclosed but one may view it and some information panels (illuminated in dark evenings) through the locked gate in Carey's Lane.

This is a BEAUTIFUL space, and incredibly ornate (over the top ornate) it's clear no expense was…read morespared. I would love to know who paid for it, who designed it and what cost it was built at. I wish we could have caught a tour. It's still in use, and I would love to have known a bit more about its history. Worth a peak... but really is excessive for a worship space.

The iconic building in Cobb. No Mass times listed but there is a mass at 10:00 am on Sundays. The…read moreteen age Irish singer was great, along with the organ. There was one prayer in Gaelic, the rest in English. The cathedral is phenomenal. Since it is on the top of a hill it is a good walk uphill but totally worth it!

ST FINBARR'S SOUTH The church in Dunbar Street, St Finbarr's…read more(South), is a fairly austere building. Then, I suppose, if I'd been around since 1766, I'd be looking fairly austere too! It is the oldest catholic church in use in the city and the plain Georgian building is better known as the South Chapel and is built with limestone and red sandstone. St. Finbarr's (South) Church is the oldest Catholic Church in use in Cork City (since 1766). Inside, you may see its most famous feature, John Hogan's fine carving in Carrara marble of the Dead Christ. Hogan, born in Tallow, made three versions of the scene. If you are from this area and wish to trace your ancestors then you are in luck as records of baptism and marriages celebrated in this church from second half of the 18th century are computerised. Visitors welcome or try the Internet: http://www.corkpastandpresent.ie/