The weather forecast is looking pretty good.

If you fancy getting out and about for some fascinating history and culture with your daily constitutional this weekend, there are no less than seven excellent walking tours planned as part of Open House Cork.

The fourth instalment of the design festival runs from Friday, October 4th to Sunday, October 6th in 40 cities across the world, celebrating the best architecture each has to offer.

Open House Cork’s series of talks, tours and exhibitions will be held in unique and intriguing buildings all over the city. It’s easy to tag along too; all of the events are completely free, and mostly available on a first come, first served basis.

You can check out the list of free building tours, lectures, walking trails, exhibitions, and readings here.

In the meantime, here’s our pick of the best walking tours to join:

1. Architectural Pub Trail

When: Saturday, October 5th, 6pm

 Gareth O’Callaghan (architect) and Tom Spalding (author) will lead an architecturally-themed pub walking tour on a route that will meander through Cork’s streets, drawing attention to some of the city’s most architecturally interesting imbibing establishments while making time for a tipple or two along the way – alas, drinks are not included so bring your pocket book! Maps and information will be distributed and the tour is free, although only open to those 18 years or older. Free ticketed event, register here.

2. Cork’s 18th Century Newly Created Islands

When: Saturday, October 5th, 2019, 2pm

Pat Ruane, Cork’s Architecture Conservation Officer, will lead a tour centred on Oliver Plunkett Street and Paul Street, two streets built in the 18th century over existing marshes. The departure point will be the forecourt of City Hall, Anglesea Street.

3. The Grand Tour of Cork

When: Sunday, October 6th, 2019, 1.30pm

Experience a taste of antiquity by joining Hugh Kavanagh on a tour of some of Cork’s great classically inspired buildings, as well as some surprising little gems. Open your eyes to the hidden tradition from Ancient Greece, Imperial Rome and Renaissance Italy right here on our doorstep. The departure point is the forecourt of City Hall, Anglesea Street.

4. Sticker Trail

The architect Frank Murphy contributed enormously to Cork City’s mid-century catalogue of everyday buildings, from shopfronts to office blocks. Follow the sticker trail on buildings in the city centre, highlighting some of Murphy’s work. Includes Mayne’s Pharmacy, no.1 South Mall, no.8 South Mall, Thompson Bakery on McCurtain Street.

A guided external tour of Frank Murphy’s masterpiece, the Cork Distillers’ Bottling Plant (1964), by Conor English takes place on Sunday, October 6th, meeting point at the gate of Distillery Fields Complex, UCC, North Mall at 12pm.