These will launch in spring 2027.

Two of Cork city’s most historic streets are set to get new walking trails celebrating their architecture, stories and hidden details – and locals are being asked to help uncover them.

North Main Street and Oliver Plunkett Street have been selected as the locations for two new Wonder Wander Walking Trails, which will encourage people to explore some of the city’s often-overlooked architectural treasures.

The Wonder Wander Trail Network was first launched in 2024 to celebrate the distinctive architecture, character and stories found within Ireland’s Architectural Conservation Areas.

The new Cork trails are being developed jointly by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage and Cork City Council’s Architectural Conservation Office, with Studio Myco and James Grieve Architects appointed to develop the trails.

The trails will be self-guided, featuring an illustrated map and a scavenger hunt designed to get people of all ages looking a little more closely at the streets around them.

Visitors will be encouraged to “look up, look down and look closer” at details that can easily go unnoticed, from historic shopfronts and post boxes to street signs and architectural features.

Help shape the story 

The trails are being developed in partnership with the local community, with people being invited to nominate their favourite buildings and share memories associated with particular places.

That local knowledge will then help identify the buildings, details and stories that ultimately feature on the finished trail maps.

There will be an opportunity for Cork people to get involved at two community engagement events on Thursday, September 24th and Friday, September 25th.

The events will take place at:

• English Market: 11am–1pm
• Cork City Library: 3pm–5pm

Everyone is welcome to drop in, share their stories and memories, and help shape the new trails.