Elizabeth Fort
Elizabeth Fort things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Free - national monument recently taken over by the Cork city council. There isn't a whole lot here, but it's a well preserved example of the walls of a 17th century star fort. Located near the city centre, it was our alternative to the expensive (boat ride required) Spike Island, or the moderately priced Camden Fort Meagher (located further south). There are only a couple of displays, and a few diagrams without explanation. However, the plaques that are there give a good overview of the history, and the fort's position on a hill in the middle of the city gives it great vantages of about 2/3 of the skyline. The council has just converted 2 of the dwelling units in the fort to guest accommodations (completed in Jan 2019), and may do another 2 if their experiment is successful. All in all, a nice quiet stop after a long day driving/at Blarney Castle.
Tamara WiensTamara Wiens
00
Went there on the second week of February 2022, this was a quiet time because of cold weather and that was on weekdays. No public car park, I just parked my car at the corner of the small road behind the fort. Parking paid through phone number display on the Parking sign. But it was hard to going though the phone line. We had a quick visit the Fort (about 15 minutes) with very friendly welcome receptionist, she explained everything and gave my sons some stickers. It was no fee of charge. And just one round up the the top of the Fort, from there you can seen almost Cork City and best church viewing from the top corner. They also have a museum at the ground floor but I did not enter there because just I feel a bit worrying about my car parking. Everything was fine and I could say it is worth a visit, well maintained place.
Thùy NhungThùy Nhung
00
Free entry; although you can pay €1 for a map, or €3 for an audio guide. I opted to walk around without purchasing either, and just read the various points of information dotted around the Fort. I’d read somewhere that you get great views of Cork from the Fort - and if you like car parks, then you’re in for a treat! The views weren’t great, but that wasn’t my main reason for visiting the Fort anyway. I really enjoyed the exhibition inside the old Garda Station - especially learning about the women who were held prisoner at the Fort before being transported to Australia. Also I’d just like to say how super friendly and welcoming the staff were. There was no pressure to purchase the maps or audio guides, but they were both gave fantastic customer service regardless.
Caroline FindlayCaroline Findlay
00
We'd visited several forts as we'd traveled Ireland and as we walked Cork we'd both agreed we were "forted out." And then we spotted the entrance to Elizabeth Fort and said, "Oh look! A fort!" and we wandered in. It's a short visit and provides an opportunity to imagine what life was like when Cork was a walled city under English dominance. Over the years it also served as a military barracks, convict depot for women prisoners, a food depot during the Famine, and a Garda station. The fort also provides some nice views of the city. If you want to learn more about its history, once a day at 1300 they give a guided tour that's free for kids under 12 and only 3 Euro per person for others. Glad we popped in to walk around.
Julie SchmidtJulie Schmidt
40
Arial photo shows one of Cork's Iconic landmarks. Take a visit while in Cork. It will be well worth it. In 1601 Sir George Carew, President of Munster, Ordered the fort’s construction in response to the event of that year at Kinsale. 1603– “Revolt in Cork City. The death of Queen Elizabeth sparks revolt in the city of Cork. The fort is attacked by 800 men and guns seized. The people of Cork forced to pay for repair of the fort after English reinforcements restore control”. 1624–26. The “fort is rebuilt in stone. Existing fort is demolished and a stronger stone fort is constructed. This fort is built in its present star-shape and much of the fort from this build survives”.
Rohan JRohan J
30
As a tourist attraction that does not charge, I feel any criticism may seem unfair. So instead I hope that the Fort continues to expand what it offers and considers charging. It can be traversed exceptionally quickly, perhaps longer if you take an audio guide, and the views sadly suffer from the changing skyline of modern Cork. The displays are informative but brief and infrequent. The single building hosting a history is intriguing but again brief. Much potential here, but don't imagine it taking more than an hour or two of your day to visit currently!
Tim SinisterTim Sinister
10
Nearby Attractions Of Elizabeth Fort
The English Market
Cork Opera House
Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral
The River Lee Hotel
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Crawford Art Gallery
Shandon Bells & Tower St Anne's Church
Costigan's Pub
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The English Market
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Nearby Restaurants Of Elizabeth Fort
Market Lane
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Franciscan Well Brewery & Brewpub
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Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
Barrack St, The Lough, Cork, T12 C8A0, Ireland
Map
Phone
+353 86 103 2702
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Website
elizabethfort.ie
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Reviews
Overview
4.4
(947 reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
outdoor
family friendly
accessibility
Description
Elizabeth Fort is a 17th-century star fort off Barrack Street in Cork, Ireland. Originally built as a defensive fortification on high-ground outside the city walls, the city eventually grew around the fort, and it took on various other roles – including use as a military barracks, prison, and police station.
attractions: The English Market, Cork Opera House, Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral, The River Lee Hotel, Sin é, CoqBull, Crawford Art Gallery, Shandon Bells & Tower St Anne's Church, Costigan's Pub, Nano Nagle Place, restaurants: Market Lane, Franciscan Well Brewery & Brewpub, The Imperial Hotel & SPA, The SpitJack Cork, The Crane Lane Theatre, Scoozi, Quinlans Seafood Bar Cork, Luigi Malones Cork, Nosta Restaurant, Rearden's Bar
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