Look up.

Most of us spend so much time staring at our feet or our phones as we navigate the city that we rarely (if ever) truly notice the rich and quirky history that surrounds us.

In fact, here at Yay Cork HQ, we’ve even been staring at our phones to delve deeper into the stories behind some of Cork’s more unusual buildings and ruins.

The @hidden_cork Instagram account is a collaborative effort that celebrates Cork trivia and unusual facts. Not only does it function as a sort of ad hoc history lesson, it also offers a fun route for a self-guided tour of the city.

Either way, it’s very cool.

Here are five fascinating images and facts about the buildings and landmarks we stroll past every day…

ST FINN BARR’S ROAD

Hang in there!! St. Finn Barr’s Road, previously ‘Brandy Lane’, so-called because of a tradition of providing convicts with a glass of brandy (to calm their nerves !) while they were being escorted to the gallows! The Lough community centre and Greenmount School now stand in place of the hanging grounds. #hiddencork #cork #corkcity #ig_cork #ig_ireland #therockbar #historicalplacestovisit #history #didyouknow #interestingfacts #corporalpunishment #brandy #gallows #convict #lanes #laneway #signs #oldsigns #collegeroad #thegreenmile #roads #thelough #greenmount #community

A post shared by Hidden Cork (@hidden_cork) on Feb 21, 2017 at 3:22am PST

TOWER STREET

Did you know..? Callanan’s Tower was built as part of 7 acres of pleasure gardens, in the 1860s. The gardens became known for scenes of debauchery! Which led to public condemnation by the clergy and ultimately , closure of the gardens. #hiddencork #historical #hellocorkelectricbar #callananstower #Ireland #tower #traveling #victorian #ig_cork #cork #architecture #architect #pleasuregarden #ig_ireland #barrackstreet #buildings #design #insta_ireland

A post shared by Hidden Cork (@hidden_cork) on Feb 17, 2017 at 1:39pm PST

RED ABBEY STREET

The “narrowest house in Cork”: 45m squared and 2.6 metres at it’s widest ! Originally built in 1790 – 1820 and refurbished in 2015. #hiddencork #cork #ig_cork #ig_ireland #medicine #history #architects #architectures #corkcity #design #house #smallhouse #restoration #tourism #construction #buildings #narrow #historicalplacestovisit #history #didyouknow #interestingfacts #conservation #redabby #insta_ireland

A post shared by Hidden Cork (@hidden_cork) on Feb 19, 2017 at 4:33pm PST

VICARS STREET

No.9 Vicar Street. Vicar Street is one of the oldest streets in Cork City. This is the old Priests house, houses no.9 and 20 are reported to be the oldest houses in Cork (c.1698). #hiddencork #cork #ig_cork #ig_ireland #oldstreet #history #architects #architectures #corkcity #design #restoration #facts #barrackstreet #vicars #priest #construction #oldhouse #historicalplacestovisit #history #interestingfacts #conservation #insta_ireland #oldstreet #stonework

A post shared by Hidden Cork (@hidden_cork) on Mar 7, 2017 at 4:18am PST

DOUGLAS STREET

Water Trough c.1800. This is a wonderful feature of Douglas Street, and something I didn’t realise was so old! It is a stone carved water trough carved in the 1800s. Located just outside Coughlan’s pub. I’m assuming it was used as a horse trough, back in the day! but correct me if I am wrong 🙂 it is currently being used as a planter. #hiddencork #cork #ig_cork #ig_ireland #douglasstreet #coughlans #flowers #planters #trough #horses #architects #architectures #corkcity #design #restoration #tourism #construction #buildings #historicalplacestovisit #history #didyouknow #interestingfacts #conservation #1800s

A post shared by Hidden Cork (@hidden_cork) on Sep 19, 2017 at 4:51am PDT

Follow @hidden_cork on Instagram for updates or tag your local finds #hiddencork to be featured.