Cork City Council, in conjunction with the Irish Landmark Trust, is carrying out a restoration project on two former barrack houses in Elizabeth Fort, with a view to launching them as short-term, self-catering tourist letting properties early next spring.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Mick Finn yesterday visited Elizabeth Fort to view the progress of the works.
He said, “I’m thrilled to see this project coming on so well. Now more than ever, tourism is of huge importance to Cork’s economy. As a proud Southsider, it’s particularly gratifying to see the old Barracka getting a boost like this, as the area has so much to offer.”
The two period properties, Parade House and Garrison House, situated inside the walls of the historic 17th century Elizabeth Fort, will serve as an ideal, centrally-located base for tourists looking to explore Cork City. They will be available to book for a minimum of two nights at a time. Both properties sleep two adults and one child.
The offices of Visit Cork, which oversees the Pure Cork tourism brand and the Cork Convention Bureau, also recently re-located to the former barracks and the Lord Mayor also paid a visit to its offices today.
It is planned that the renovated barracks will also house an exhibition space on the history of Elizabeth Fort. Elizabeth Fort is also the focus of the Maritime, Military and Industrial Atlantic Heritage (MMIAH) Project, of which Cork City Council is one of nine European project partners. The project has provided €60,000 for pilot interventions to enhance the tourism potential of Elizabeth Fort for Cork City.
Elizabeth Fort, perched on a high vantage point off Barrack Street, is one of Cork city’s main tourist attractions along Cork’s historic spine, running from the North Gate Bridge down to South Gate Bridge.
The project is being funded by Cork City Council but the Irish Landmark Trust will be handling the lettings. For more information, see www.irishlandmark.com.
