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  • 12 gorgeous images of Cork in a much simpler time
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12 gorgeous images of Cork in a much simpler time

By Yay Cork December 24, 2018December 24, 2018
Shawlies

It’d bring a tear to a glass eye.

Cork’s streets are looking as sharp and modern as any other European city these days, but many of the elegant buildings, plazas and bridges that give it its charm haven’t actually changed much at all in the past 100 years or so.

The Instagram account Old Photos of Cork has been collecting gorgeous images of the city in days gone by.

Here are 12 of our favourites to transport you back to a simpler time when you could ice skate on The Lough and buy fruit from a shawlie near the fountain.

Listening to the Neil Prendeville Show on @corksredfm about the Dunscombe Fountain which has been lost since 1984! Situated at the bottom of Shandon Street, the fountain was donated by the Dunscombe merchant family in the 17th century making it one of the cities oldest and well known landmarks. The women pictured were known as “shawlies” and sold holly, ivy and clothes at the fountain. Do you know anything about the fountains fate or location ? #OldPhotosOfCork #DunscombeFountain #ShandonStreet #NeilPrendeville #RedFm

A post shared by Old Photos of Cork (@oldphotosofcork) on May 9, 2017 at 2:35am PDT

Christmas lights outside the Savoy on Patrick Street in the 1960’s. Across the street all lit up is Roches Stores now Debenhams. Seems they put more effort into decorating the building 50 years ago than they do now… #OldPhotosOfCork #ChristmasInCork

A post shared by Old Photos of Cork (@oldphotosofcork) on Dec 20, 2017 at 3:18am PST

An photo taken from the old Camden Hotel now @cork_english_college looking down on Patrick’s Bridge and Street c.1950s. In the left background is the old buildings on Merchants Quay, which were demolished in the 1980s and replaced with the current shopping centre. #OldPhotosOfCork #CamdenHotel #PatricksBridge #MerchantsQuay #CorkCity

A post shared by Old Photos of Cork (@oldphotosofcork) on Jan 25, 2016 at 4:09am PST

An electric tram makes its way through Ballintemple to Blackrock Village. The trams in Cork lasted up until the 1930s and ran on Patrick Street, Western Rd and out to Wellington Bridge. #OldPhotosOfCork #Trams #Ballintemple #PatrickStreet #BlackrockVillage

A post shared by Old Photos of Cork (@oldphotosofcork) on Mar 9, 2016 at 3:06am PST

Some young lads watch on outside the Munster & Lei start Bank now AIB, as beer kegs float down a partially flooded St Patricks St in 1974. There were similar scenes just last Sunday, albeit minus the runaway beer. #OldPhotosOfCork #PatrickStreet #CorkCity #Floods

A post shared by Old Photos of Cork (@oldphotosofcork) on Apr 12, 2016 at 4:46am PDT

Ice skating on The Lough in 1912. Today when the Lough is frozen over you will still find people ice skating albeit without the bowler hats, cigarettes & canes! #OldPhotosOfCork #TheLough #CorkCity

A post shared by Old Photos of Cork (@oldphotosofcork) on Apr 28, 2016 at 3:04am PDT

A draft horse drawing a load past Daunt Square for CIE as part of their freight service around the city, picture taken in the 1960’s. The horses were retired from service in 1967. #OldPhotosOfCork #CIE #DraftHorse

A post shared by Old Photos of Cork (@oldphotosofcork) on Jun 27, 2016 at 12:22pm PDT

Christmas lights & decorations on Patrick Street in the 1980’s. This years lights are being turned on this evening at 6:30pm #OldPhotosOfCork #Christmas #GlowCork

A post shared by Old Photos of Cork (@oldphotosofcork) on Nov 13, 2016 at 8:23am PST

Shoppers in the English Market from the Princes’ Street entrance circa 1950’s. It’s name came in the 19th century to distinguish it from the “Irish Market” of St Peters Market (now the Bodega). There has been a market on this site since 1788 but the current buildings dating back to 1862. It has always been known for its great choice, fresh produce and of course unique Cork characters! #OldPhotosOfCork #CorkCity #EnglishMarket #DiscoverCork

A post shared by Old Photos of Cork (@oldphotosofcork) on Nov 18, 2016 at 5:42am PST

An old steam train makes its way past St Patricks church on the Lower Glanmire Road carrying freight from Kent Station to the old railway yard at Alberta Quay. Picture circa the 1960’s #OldPhotosOfCork #SteamEngine #LowerGlanmireRoad

A post shared by Old Photos of Cork (@oldphotosofcork) on Apr 24, 2017 at 5:41am PDT

O’Sullivans Quay looking towards South Gate Bridge with Grand Parade to the right. In the top left corner you’ll notice the spire of St Fin Barres. Picture taken 1900-10 #OldPhotosOfCork #Cork #GrandParade #PureCork

A post shared by Old Photos of Cork (@oldphotosofcork) on Nov 13, 2017 at 10:21am PST

Holly for sale at the Dunscombe Fountain at the bottom of Shandon Street #OldPhotosOfCork

A post shared by Old Photos of Cork (@oldphotosofcork) on Nov 26, 2017 at 9:53am PST

Tags: Cork City, old photos, photos
Previous Post

5 unexpected places to find last-minute Christmas presents in Cork

December 20, 2018
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8 astonishing photos from inside West Cork’s forgotten buildings

December 24, 2018

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