Elizabeth Fort
Elizabeth Fort
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Elizabeth Fort is Ireland's best preserved urban artillery fortification and one of Cork’s oldest and most historic sites. Located right in the heart of Cork City, visitors can enjoy panoramic views from the ancient bastions, walk the walls and discover the tumultuous story of this impressive site!
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
364 reviews
Excellent
168
Very good
143
Average
48
Poor
5
Terrible
0
rubylass
cork170 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
We visited having seen it appear on trip advisor and we are so glad that we did. I passed this on many occasions but never realised what what inside the imposing walls and it really is worth a visit. It is a lesser known Cork attraction and I can’t understand why, as it’s fab. The girl that welcomed us was lovely and so helpful and knowledgeable. She directed us to the information while also offering to store our buggy. We had 2 small kids, aged 2 and 4 and we found it very very safe for them to run around once you mind them on the stairs. They loved running around and seeing the stocks, the canons and the heads. There is plenty information on the fort, to read inside and it really is very very interesting. The view from the walls is excellent and well worth the visit alone. We had a buggy and the upper walls would not be assessable with a buggy or wheel chair. It was free entry which was great and we Would not have minded paying as we really enjoyed it. We didn’t see any toilets or gift shop etc, it’s just the fort as it used to be which was outstanding. I highly recommend people to visit the fort
Written August 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarsfield70
County Cork, Ireland18 contributions
Feb 2022 • Solo
Popped up while in town for a look around, of course the proximity to the City centre helps as its only a short enough walk from the site of the old city it once overlooked both in war and peace.
Although a chilly and damp day there were a number of other intrepid visitors also up wandering the walls walkways who werent to be put off. Met the duty staff of the day who welcomed me and were happy to provide information and assistance if needed - everyone friendly, professional and enthusiastic despite the less than ideal weather - always a good sign of a place.
The indoor exhibitions in the former barrack rooms brought a welcome respite, covering the forts long relationship with the walled city below and its part in Irish history, and the story of its use in the transportations to the colonies of the 1800s.
Very nice graphics, maps and reconstructions compliment these displays. Also, a temporary exhibition on the RIC who occupied the fort up to war of independence times, with other themes to follow. A follow up visit out to the public museum in Fitzgeralds Park would expand on all the themes on display here.(a super ancient/norse/ medieval section and a large walled city model too!)
Will always send new visitors up to get an oversight on the old city, never fails to deliver. Best wishes for the season ahead and with ongoing and future projects in the site!
Thanks Adam and Jen, who I met during my visit :-)
Although a chilly and damp day there were a number of other intrepid visitors also up wandering the walls walkways who werent to be put off. Met the duty staff of the day who welcomed me and were happy to provide information and assistance if needed - everyone friendly, professional and enthusiastic despite the less than ideal weather - always a good sign of a place.
The indoor exhibitions in the former barrack rooms brought a welcome respite, covering the forts long relationship with the walled city below and its part in Irish history, and the story of its use in the transportations to the colonies of the 1800s.
Very nice graphics, maps and reconstructions compliment these displays. Also, a temporary exhibition on the RIC who occupied the fort up to war of independence times, with other themes to follow. A follow up visit out to the public museum in Fitzgeralds Park would expand on all the themes on display here.(a super ancient/norse/ medieval section and a large walled city model too!)
Will always send new visitors up to get an oversight on the old city, never fails to deliver. Best wishes for the season ahead and with ongoing and future projects in the site!
Thanks Adam and Jen, who I met during my visit :-)
Written February 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LightPacker515368
Norwich, UK1 contribution
Aug 2020
This was a very surprising trip as we looked around for the price to pay. A very nice young woman approached us and explained the policy - free- and then went on in a most beautiful way to give us a history of the site. She was a cross between an archaeologist and a minder. It made our short stay most worthwhile and thanks
Written September 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark C
4 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
Came here for the daily tours that were run during the harbour festival. The tour guide, Jess, was very informative and took the time to explain the different aspects of the fort.
There are some great views of the city from the the walls of the fort, especially St Finbarr’s Cathedral. There is also a lovely little museum inside to go and see.
Overall a great experience and would recommend to go to check it out.
There are some great views of the city from the the walls of the fort, especially St Finbarr’s Cathedral. There is also a lovely little museum inside to go and see.
Overall a great experience and would recommend to go to check it out.
Written June 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donal M
Waterford, Ireland404 contributions
Oct 2021
Hidden away on the south side of Cork is this 400 year old fort.
Clear, well written exhibition panels tell the fort's story, and especially that of the women deported to Australia in the mid-nineteenth century.
The views of the city from the ramparts are amazing.
And admission is free!
Clear, well written exhibition panels tell the fort's story, and especially that of the women deported to Australia in the mid-nineteenth century.
The views of the city from the ramparts are amazing.
And admission is free!
Written October 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MICK0950
Hinckley, United Kingdom492 contributions
Mar 2023
We thoroughly enjoyed been shown round and learned a lot. The young guide explained that she was Italian but she had excellent command of English and really brought the site to life. The time passed very quickly and together with the exhibition on site, it was well worth visiting.
Written April 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wind4surfing
Cork, Ireland38 contributions
Jun 2022
Booked a guided tour here with my cousin. It was around 3 Euro per person. The guide, who happened to be expert in Viking history as well, took us around and provided a fascination overview. The tour lasted around 40 minutes. It was a great day.
Written July 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eli Romary
80 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
My partner and I came here because we were curious to learn more about the history. The exhibit was small, but packed full of information. It was also fun to walk around the walls! The man at the front seemed eager to sell us maps, take our bags, and make sure we were enjoying ourselves. We came on a Tuesday morning so he may have been a little bored! He was super friendly! All in all, a fun little gem that’s a quick visit, but a cool one!
Written July 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rossdmd
Panama City Beach, FL856 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Arriving in Cobh on a cruise ship for a day, we looked at the local visitor center and then decided to take the train to Cork. A local girl recommended we just walk to the fort. Great advice. The fort was a great view, a nice half hour and then we wandered back trough town, The story of the fort through the centuries is interesting.
Written June 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie H
Hammondsport, NY101 contributions
Jun 2022
A wonderful historical stop. You are able to walk along the top walls of the fort while learning about the history. So in addition to the history there is a great view! For many years the fort was used a prison for women before they were sent to Australia and I appreciated that there was an opportunity to learn something about some of the women.
We made a very brief stop here on our way out of town, but I would have liked to spend more time and take a formal tour. The brief introduction we were given by a guide in the entrance was very informative
We made a very brief stop here on our way out of town, but I would have liked to spend more time and take a formal tour. The brief introduction we were given by a guide in the entrance was very informative
Written July 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
amethyst2017
Syracuse, NY1 contribution
My family from Cork originates with John Cooley, who was baptized at St. Finnbar's 9/14/1800. His parents are listed as Thomas Cooley and Ellenor Fife/Fiffe. At the time of his baptism their address was given as "St. Barry's G Mila". In 1802 for a sibling's baptism it is shown as "Galwy Mila. Galway Regt.". I take it this means his father was in the military. Would he have been living with his family at the Elizabeth Fort since it was located so close to St. Finnbar's? John Cooley who was my 3x great grandfather was a bodyguard for Daniel O'Connell. In 1836 he left Ireland and settled in Hereford, England. In 1851 he and his family left there and immigrated to New York State. His occupation was a printer/compositor, having been apprenticed in Cork at the age of 13. When he died in 1874, he was the oldest printer in New York State, having been at his job for 60 years. I plan to make a trip to Cork from New York soon, and would be interested in finding out more about him and the family in Cork. Would there be military records for his father that far back and where would they be held? Thanks for your help.
Elizabeth Fort
Cork, Ireland2 contributions
Hello,
Thanks for getting in touch. It's great to hear you have been doing so much research before your planned trip.
Elizabeth Fort would indeed have been a military barracks in 1800. The fort and another barracks across the road combined were the main barracks in the area at the time. I understand that soldiers would have been living within these barracks' as well as (more so in the case of higher ranking soldiers) in houses nearby.
There were no paper records left at the fort from the time of the army barracks (this closed in 1806), but it may be possible to get the records through the army themselves, I can send you a link if you email me.
A group that may also be able to help you is the Cork Genealogical Society - they are easily searchable online.
The barracks buildings within the fort have long since been replaced, but I would be very happy to show you around when you visit Cork.
This email address would probably be a better means of contact going forward this is available on our website.
Best regards,
Peter
Hipopmum
Hornsea, UK4 contributions
Is it open today? How far is it on foot from clarion hotel?
Elizabeth Fort
Cork, Ireland2 contributions
Hi. Yes, Elizabeth Fort is open today from 12 noon to 5pm, there is also a guided tour at 1pm. The fort is around 10-15 minuted by foot from the Clarion Hotel.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Elizabeth Fort
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