Soon you can spend a night in this 17th century fort overlooking Cork city

By Olivia Kelleher

Two period properties situated inside a historic 17th-century fort in Cork are to be transformed into self-catering tourist lettings by Cork City Council in conjunction with the Irish Landmark Trust.

Elizabeth Fort is a star fort off Barrack Street in Cork. Originally built as a defensive fortification on high ground outside the city walls, the city eventually grew the fort, and it took on various roles including use as a prison, military barracks and a police station.

The Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Mick Finn has visited Elizabeth Fort to view the progress of the works.

“I’m thrilled to see this project coming on so well. Now more than ever, tourism is of huge importance to Cork’s economy. As a proud Southsider, it’s particularly gratifying to see the old Barracka getting a boost like this, as the area has so much to offer.”

The two period properties, Parade House and Garrison House, situated inside the walls of the historic 17th century Elizabeth Fort, will serve as a centrally-located base for tourists looking to explore Cork City.

They will be available to book for a minimum of two nights at a time. Both properties sleep two adults and one child. The offices of Visit Cork, which oversees the Pure Cork tourism brand and the Cork Convention Bureau, also recently relocated to the former barracks.

It is planned that the renovated barracks will also house an exhibition space on the history of Elizabeth Fort.

A view from Elizabeth Fort

Elizabeth Fort is also the focus of the Maritime, Military and Industrial Atlantic Heritage (MMIAH) Project, of which Cork City Council is one of nine European project partners.

The project has provided €60,000 for pilot interventions to enhance the tourism potential of Elizabeth Fort for Cork City.

Elizabeth Fort, perched on a high vantage point off Barrack Street, is one of Cork city’s main tourist attractions along Cork’s historic spine, running from the North Gate Bridge down to South Gate Bridge.

The project is being funded by Cork City Council but the Irish Landmark Trust will be handling the lettings.

For more information, see www.irishlandmark.com.