News and Events
Cork City Heritage & Biodiversity Grants 2026
Twenty-six Heritage and Biodiversity Groups and individuals have benefited from nearly €29,000 of Cork City Council funding.
This annual funding provides key support for groups and individuals to continue their valuable work celebrating and promoting our rich Heritage and Biodiversity environment. Some of the projects funded include support for the 15th Spirit of Mother Jones Festival; support to develop a Heritage Bog Garden; a tour of Beaumont Quarry; a memorial plaque marking the beginning of the Butter Road; support to publish the bi-annual Muskerry Historical Society journal as well as other, walks, talks, tours, exhibitions and workshops.
The Local Community Heritage and Biodiversity Grant Scheme are small scale grants for community-based groups and individuals who are involved in ongoing work that benefits the heritage and biodiversity of Cork City. The Local Heritage and Biodiversity Publication Heritage Scheme supports the publication and printing of books on local heritage and biodiversity topics which raise awareness and appreciation of local heritage and biodiversity in Cork City. Both schemes are actions from the Cork City Heritage and Biodiversity Plan 2021 – 2026 to support groups & individuals
2026 List of Heritage & Biodiversity Grants
For any queries please contact heritage@corkcity.ie
These grant schemes are an action from the Cork City Heritage Plan 2021-2026.
Walking through history with a tour of St Joseph’s Cemetery
A summer series of walking tours of St. Joseph’s Cemetery will take place on the first Wednesday of each month from May – September 2024 at 7.00 pm. These tours, given by expert local historians Finbarr Barry and Liam O' hUigin, and are full of fascinating facts and spellbinding stories.
Located on Tory Top Road on the Southside of the City, St Joseph’s Cemetery is one of the jewels in the crown of our Cork city. For nearly 200 years, located behind its beautiful high stone wall, lies the final peaceful resting place of approximately 220,000 people including Mayors/Lord Mayors, Businesspeople, Parliamentarians, Writers, Poets, Sportspeople, Teachers, Famine Victims, the Poor, and thousands of others.
Join Liam and Finbarr to hear about St Joseph’s Cemetery rich history from being the old Botanic Gardens and the first public cemetery of Cork opened by Fr Mathew to the story of the famous people at rest here including, Edward Mulhare actor, Kathy Barry Ale House Owner, Sir James Mathew High Court Judge, Michael Deering GAA President, Fr Mathew and the person who gave the name to Paddy’s whiskey.
Why Not Join Us!
1st Wednesday of every month at 7.00 pm May, June, July, August & September 2024 (Weather Permitting)
- Tours are free of charge.
- Meet at cemetery gate.
- Dress for the weather!
For further information email stjosephswalkingtours@gmail.com
Gardening For Biodiversity Course
A very successful “Gardening for Biodiversity” course was held on the 19th of February in Ballyphehane Community Centre. Organised by Cork City Council Heritage Officer, Scientific Officer and Cork City Horticulturist and run by Aoife Munn, the training day was very well received with excellent feedback from all the participants.
Course coordinator Aoife Munn stated “The success of the project is due to its simplicity and interactive design. Participants learn why they should protect the environment, how to protect it and who to turn to for support in doing so. The course is tailored to the local community which allows attendees to network with other groups in the area to get more support and they enjoy the course”.
This one-day course covered topics such as avoiding chemicals, vegetable growing, pollinators, rewilding, pond building and composting.
Speaking after the event the Heritage Officer, Niamh Twomey said, “this is a very practical training course showing people simple and cost effect ways for all of us to manage our green spaces, big and small, in an environmental and sustainable way”.
Mangan's Clock
Mangan's Clock has been a landmark on Saint Patrick's Street since the 1850s. Located near Merchants Quay it is a much-loved piece of heritage street furniture in Cork city.
Mangan Jewellers was a family business of clock makers and jewellers in Cork City from 1817 to the late 1980s and were responsible for the installation of Mangan's Clock as well as the iconic clock on St Anne’s Shandon. A Cast-iron clock, comprising of square-profile base, tapered shaft having square-profile capital, with two faces having decorative surrounds and surmounted by finial.
This clock has witnessed the ebb and flow of Cork city’s history from narrowly escaping destruction during the burning of Cork to the construction of Merchant’s Quay shopping centre in the 1980s to the refurbishment of the public realm on St Patrick Street in more recent times. On a more romantic note, it is said that many a happy marriage started with a couple meeting for their “first date” under the watchful eye of Mangan’s clock!
Cork City Council recognise the importance of Mangans Clock from both a social and technical heritage point of view and have commissioned Stokes Clock and Watches to carry out repair works to restore the clock to working order by refurbishing the clock hands, repairing and replacing damaged parts and cleaning and painting the supporting pillar. At a cost in the region of €7,500 the work will start at the end of January and is estimated to take about 3 months, when this special piece of street furniture will be back in full working order and continue its role as a silent witness to the life of Cork city.