Archaeological Objects of Cork

Photo: Excavation in progress at Bishop Lucy Park/Tuckey Street in 1997.

We here at Cork Public Museum in conjunction with the MA in Museum Studies at University College Cork (2020-2021) are delighted to bring you an online exhibition of objects that have been unearthed at archaeological digs in Cork. As part of their studies, students selected and highlighted specific objects from our archaeological collection.

Please view these selections here

Please Note:

The archaeological collections held by Cork Public Museum and the information they provide would not have been possible without the decades of excavation and research undertaken by archaeologists, many who have dedicated their professional lives to studying and understanding Cork's past. When the first large scale urban excavations took place in Cork in the mid 1970s, very little was known about the origins and subsequent development of Cork in archaeological terms.  Since then, many important excavations have taken place across the city and our knowledge of the early Cork and its inhabitants has grown so much as a result. These excavation reports have been published since the 1990s and provide invaluable contributions from experts in archaeological material remains that has helped us identify and contextualise all the finds and objects that we exhibit here at the museum , either onsite or online.

Cork Public Museum would therefore like to whole heartily acknowledge the work and achievements of all the archaeologists, scientists and researchers. The museum would like to specifically thank Dr Dermot Twohig, Dr. Maurice F. Hurley (former City Archaeologist for Cork and Waterford), Rose M. Cleary, and Ciara Brett (current City Archaeologist). Their work, and that of many others, are an invaluable asset for us here at the museum, helping us present our archaeological collections to the public in an informative and engaging way.

The following publications are the foundations for all present and future museum exhibitions of Cork's rich archaeological heritage:

• Hurley, Maurice F. and Sheehan, Cathy M., Excavations at the Dominican Priory - St. Mary's of the Isle, Cork, Cork Corporation, 1995
• Cleary, R.M., Hurley M.F. and Twohig, E. Shee, Skiddy's Castle and Christ Church - Excavations 1974-77 by D.C. Twohig, Cork Corporation, 1997
• Hurley, Maurice F., Excavations at the North Gate Cork 1994, Cork Corporation, 1997
• Cleary, Rose M. and Hurley, Maurice F. (eds) Excavations in Cork City 1984-2000, Cork City Council, 2003
• Hurley, Maurice F. and Brett, Ciara, Archaeological Excavations at South Main Street 2003-2005, Cork City Council, 2014