Cork Public Museum

Cork Public Museum is housed in a two storey Georgian house commanding a central position in Fitzgerald Park, Cork. Originally built in 1845 by the Beamish family, it eventually housed the Cork International Exhibition of 1902 and 1903. The site of the exhibition was opened as a public park in 1906.

The collections of Cork Public Museum are as rich and diverse as the history of the city itself and feature some of the most important archaeological finds from this region, such as Ireland’s oldest Pick and Shovel, the Iron Age Cork Helmet Horns and the Garryduff Gold Bird, a triumph of Early Medieval skill and craftsmanship. Classical archaeology is also represented in Cork Public Museum with a small but impressive collection of artefacts from ancient Egypt and Greece.

The importance of Cork as a thriving medieval town is explored in an exhibition that contains objects excavated from recent digs around the medieval town wall and trade goods such as lace and silver.

A special 1916-1921 exhibition showcases the role of the city in Ireland’s fight for independence, especially Cork’s men and women who made significant contributions to this cause.

If your group wants a closer look at Cork and its history, a visit to Cork City Gaol is a great place to start.