You’d be surprised how many locals have never been inside Elizabeth Fort.

And if you’re looking for an excuse to play tourist in your own city over the next couple of weekends, this might be it.

As part of this year’s Cork Harbour Festival, Elizabeth Fort is inviting visitors to step back through centuries of Cork history with a special guided tour exploring the fort’s rich maritime past.

Running this weekend, May 30th and 31st and again on June 6th and 7th at 3pm, the tours will dive into the stories hidden behind the fort’s stone walls — from sieges and soldiers to transportation routes to Australia, all while taking in some of the best panoramic views of the city.

Pure Cork

At just €3 a ticket and with no pre-booking required, it’s an easy, affordable way to spend an afternoon soaking up a bit of Cork culture.

Whether you’re a history buff or just someone who hasn’t wandered up to the fort in years, it’s the kind of thing that reminds you how much character is packed into the city’s oldest corners.

And while you’re in the area, you may as well make an afternoon of it. Grab a seriously good coffee from Alchemy Coffee just up the road, or reward yourself afterwards with a pint in The Old Bear — because historical enrichment pairs surprisingly well with stout.

Tours begin at 3pm on:

• Saturday, May 30th
• Sunday, May 31st
• Saturday, June 6th
• Sunday, June 7th

No booking needed — just turn up and take a look around.