Heritage Projects

Many heritage and biodiversity projects have been undertaken over the years that cover topics such as archaeology, natural, built and cultural heritage and include research, grants, publication, training and events. Below is a flavour of some of the projects undertaken under the Cork City Heritage and Biodiversity Plan 2021 - 2026 as well as some previous projects.

Geo-Heritage of Cork City

Geo-heritage is about appreciating our surroundings through studying the rocks, sediments and landscape forms we see around us and it can be seen everywhere in Cork. It is in our buildings, statues, gravestones and the pavement on which we walk. It is even in our bodies in the form of dust, minerals and ions!

In terms of infrastructure and the economy, geo-heritage is incredibly important. We would not have materials for computers, smartphones and plastic without geological research and surveys. It also contributes greatly to our understanding of climate change and devising sustainable solutions to this challenge.

Cork City Council in partnership with Geological Survey Ireland commissioned “A Guide to Cork City’s Geological Heritage”. Written by Thomas Heising, this booklet gives an introduction to the Geo-heritage of Cork city and gives examples of where this geology can be experienced. Below also is a short video showing the highlights of geo-heritage in Cork city. 

Heritage and Biodiversity Plan Film

Cork City Council produced a short film celebrating heritage and biodiversity in Cork city. This film gives an insight into the actions and projects supported through the Cork City Heritage and Biodiversity Plan and the role it plays in supporting research, training, promoting best practice and heritage events as well as contributing to Cork City’s economy, tourism sector, recreation facilities and the health and wellbeing of our communities.

This also highlights the incredible work that local heritage groups do to promote and safeguard their local heritage on a daily basis and how passionate they are about their local heritage. There is a fantastic diversity of heritage and biodiversity in Cork city and this film explores and celebrates what heritage means to the people of Cork.

Training Day for Cork City Heritage Groups

 “Training for Cork City Heritage Groups” took place on the 26th of June in the Millennium Hall with 56 attendees. This  day-long workshop provided training in aspects of heritage such as archiving, community engagement, grants, insurance, P.R. & social media. Featuring presentations from practitioners in these areas with panel discussions and Q & A sessions, this event also featured peer to peer mentoring between heritage groups on various issues such as finding a space, getting published, engaging with the community and organising an event.

Grants

21 Community Heritage Grants, 1 publication grant and 13 Heritage Week grants were awarded in 2024. These included projects such as A guide to Tracing family history, lectures, walking tours, festivals and exhibitions as well as training, children’s education packs and podcasts to name a few. 

Discover Cork Schools Heritage Projects

The aim of Discover Cork Schools Heritage Project is to encourage students at primary and post primary level to become familiar with their local heritage and history and to learn its value in their lives through participating in either an individual or a group heritage project. The competition winners will be invited to a prize giving in City Hall presided over by the Lord Mayor. Log on to Discover Cork: Schools’ Heritage Project 2022/23 | Cork Heritage for further information.

Other Projects 

Traditional Stonework Training

The Set in Stone workshop took place in September 2017 and gave advice on the care and maintenance of the important elements of the fabric of Cork City's built heritage and practical demonstrations on lime mortar, stone cleaning, maintenance and repair, carving and monumental stone work, masonry and dry stone walls. Training was provided by expert guest speakers such as Pat McAfee, Christian Helling, Julia Gebel, Pat Ruane, Gareth O Callaghan, Tom Spalding and Ken Curran, who all have expertise in traditional stonework. The event took place in Nano Nagle Place and was attended by 45 delegates.

Cork Past and Present Exhibition

Celebrating Cork Past Exhibition is a unique educational, family friendly, one day exhibition, which sees over 40 historical societies, museums and heritage organizations from Cork City and County coming together to showcase their rich and vibrant heritage and culture. For further information contact celebratingcorkpast.com.

Value of Heritage Study

It is known that our Heritage is at the core of our identity and makes an invaluable contribution to the economic, social and cultural life in Ireland. A study carried out by four Heritage Officers in their local area showed that there was very little data available examining the value of heritage especially from a social or cultural point of view. Following on from this scoping report, Cork City Council asked UCC School of Business to investigate the economic value of Cork Heritage Open Day, a Heritage Week event, which sees over 40 buildings and 100 events happen free of charge for one day only. The result of this study showed that for every €1 spent on Cork Heritage Open Day generates approx €10 directly to the Cork City Centre economy.

Cork Walks

Cork City Council in conjunction with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has developed a series of four Heritage related walking trails in the city centre, called Cork Walks.  

These walking trails link places and buildings of heritage interest throughout the city from the steps and steeples of Shandon, archaeology and arts of the South Parish, the medieval to modern of the City Centre and the academic environs of University College Cork.  As well as being very informative and interesting to local people, the walks provide a very attractive and enjoyable experience to tourists and visitors to Cork City. For further information contact www.corkcity/corkwalks.ie.

Plaques and Monuments

Cork City Council recognises that commemoration plaques, memorials and monuments in the public realm offer opportunities to honour, celebrate or remember a person, groups of people or events of significance.

The commemorative plaques, memorials and monuments already placed within Cork city form an integral part of our heritage. They not only link us with our past, but they enhance our present, they provide an opportunity for the city to highlight important social, cultural and economic contributions to society, to celebrate the uniqueness of the City and to create a ‘sense of place’, which is identified as being of great importance to citizens and visitors. Cork City Council has a policy document, which outlines the process and procedure for Commemorative Plaques, Memorials and Monuments in the Public Realm. 

Beaumont Quarry

Cork Nature Network in partnership with Cork City Council has developed a management plan to protect Beaumont Quarry for wildlife and recreation. Beaumont Quarry is important, as it has calcareous grassland, which is scarce around Ireland. It is home to several rare plant species in Ireland, including Little Robin, pale flax and common toadflax and several species of bats, which are also protected species. For further information contact www.corknaturenetwork.ie.

Click the following to view Architectural Projects.