Get a glimpse into one of Cork City’s most historic areas, Shandon
One of the many great things about staying in The Metropole Hotel is how convenient every where is within the city. A quick 10-minute stroll from our front door will bring you into the Shandon area, one of our city’s most historic and fascinating neighbourhoods, which is jam-packed with things to see and do. We are extremely lucky to have somewhere that holds the key to some of Cork’s most fascinating history practically on our doorstep.
Here are some of the sights you can find in the Shandon Area:
1. St. Anne’s Church – Shandon Bell’s
The Shandon Steeple, also officially known as St Anne’s Church, is one of Cork’s most prominent landmarks. Because each of the four clocks on it told a different time, it was dubbed the Four Face Liar by the locals. Visitors may try their hand at ringing the six-tonne bells, and the tower has the best views of the city. Those of us born & bred in Cork regard the bells as one of Cork’s most wonderful & recognisable landmarks with views of the city’s streets for miles. Check out their website here for opening hours and information.
2. Linehan’s Sweet Shop
Hand making sweets since 1929, father & son duo, Dan and Tony, have played their part in keeping their family’s tradition alive today. The confections are still made by hand using old-fashioned techniques and equipment from the early 1900s. So if you want to get your hands on some clove rock or bullseyes, this shop is an absolute must! For more info, see here.
3. Cork’s Butter Museum
Located right next to Shandon Bells, The Cork Butter Museum is the place to visit to find out why Cork was the biggest butter market in the world in the 18th century. The Cork Butter Museum tells the story of ancient Ireland’s dairying culture and the growth of the Cork Butter Exchange, which was once the world’s largest, trading tens of millions of pounds of butter annually. Learn about the art of creating traditional butter. A brief film presentation of butter manufacturing by hand is included in this section of the museum, as well as an appealing video presentation of the growth of Kerrygold, Ireland’s most famous butter brand. A display of butter bricks has been added to the museum’s collection of dairying paraphilia, which includes milk churns and a keg containing 1,000-year-old butter.
It might not sound like the most riveting thing of all time but you will be pleasantly surprised by how much you enjoy it, and is a great way to learn about how Cork became the foodie capital of Ireland. For more information, see here.
4. Cathedral of St. Mary & St. Anne
Known by locals as The North Cathedral, The Cathedral of St. Mary & St. Anne is located in the heart of Shandon While the site’s first church was built in the 1730s, it was dedicated in 1808. The cathedral is also the home of some of the oldest baptism and marriage records of any parish in Ireland. The records date from 1731 for Baptisms and from 1748 for marriages! If you’re visiting the Shandon area, we highly recommend paying a visit to the beautiful cathedral. See here for more information.
5. Discover MacCurtain Street
Although MacCurtain Street in not in Shandon, we wanted to give you some inspiration on how to spend your evenings staying on the north-side of the River Lee. Within walking distance you will find some lovely bars and restaurants on Mac Curtain Street referred to also as The Victorian Quarter. From newly opened wine bars such as MacCurtain Wine Cellar, to staples of the street such as The Shelbourne Bar, you won’t need to travel far to have a fantastic evening. Why not catch a show at The Everyman Theatre, right next door to The Metropole Hotel. See listings of their upcoming productions here.
Within The Metropole Hotel there is so much on offer such as Afternoon Tea in The MET Tea Room, lovely cocktails in The MET created by our in-house mixologists and a beautiful dining experience in The MET Restaurant. Why not sample our newest cocktail concoctions on our MET 125 Cocktail menu, celebrating our 125 year anniversary with cocktails inspired by some of our famous previous guests such as Dawn Adams, Gregory Peck and Walt Disney. Menus & online reservations can be found here.
The Shandon area is one of the most treasured parts of Cork’s fascinating history. The buildings & businesses remain as testaments to Shandons’ cultural and commercial significance in the city. We would highly recommend taking a day to explore this side of the city.
Book Your Stay with us
Want to learn more about the history of Cork? Now is your perfect opportunity to book a staycation in Cork and explore the delightful history of Cork City. See our offers & availability here.