“This year Cork Heritage Open Day will see more than 40 buildings open their doors for just one day”, explains Niamh Twomey, Heritage Officer, Cork City Council. “The Open Day, which began in 2005 when Cork was European Capital of Culture, showcases the diverse and significant heritage of the city, and all are invited to explore the exciting line up of walks and talks, tours and open access of Cork’s built heritage on Saturday 23 August”.

This city is woven into itself in Cork, and the heritage here is one of the richest in the country”, said Theo Dorgan at the launch of the Cork Heritage Open Day this week. “Places, people and stories – that’s what represents our heritage and in Cork, we have plenty of those, as can be seen on Cork Heritage Open Day; it’s not to be missed”, added Dorgan.

This year, recognising the centenary of the start of World War 1, a replica of a WW1 trench is being built for Cork Heritage Open Day in the Cork Public Museum, Fitzgerald Park. This indoor replica trench will take visitors into the dark, cramped and life-threatening existence experienced by thousands of soldiers during the war. This is the first such exhibition to be undertaken in the south of Ireland. The Concert Hall at City Hall will host a unique audio visual perspective on events leading up to and during the Great War entitled “Timeline – World War 1” created by Tim McCoy. This special exhibition will also include photos and war memorabilia explaining the chain of events leading to the Great War, and the terrible consequences for Europe’s soldiers. It will give a close up view of various aspects of what happened before, during and after the war.

Cork Heritage Open Day kicks off Cork Heritage Week which runs until August 31st and allows access to buildings that are normally closed to the public providing unique insight into Cork’s heritage. New buildings added for 2014 include The Elysian, AIB Bank, Cork Savings Bank and Carpenter’s Hall. It should be noted that some events may require advance booking.

There are several self-guided walks on Cork Open Heritage Day, which explore various facets of the city’s heritage from Steps and Steeples, which encompasses amazing buildings and the most spectacular views from the North Side of the city, Customs & Commerce, which follows the river to showcase some of the old and new buildings in Cork City, Medieval to Modern, which weaves through the once Medieval lanes to the more modern streets ,Saints and Scholars lies to the south side of the city encompassing some of the most educational and religious buildings in Cork City, and Life and Learning which encompasses UCC, Fitzgerald Park and the Lifetime Lab.

Cork Heritage Open Day also demonstrates the role of the Military in the development of Cork City and this will be highlighted through various buildings from Collins Barrack, Military Museum to Elizabeth Fort. The L.E. Aoife will also be docked at Albert Quay.

For children and families, Cork Heritage Open Day has a super line up and wide range of events catering for children including puppet shows, Water Heritage Open Day at the Lifetime Lab, Children’s Open Day Treasure Hunt and the Coal Quay Family Festival.

Cork Now, Cork News