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Market · Cork, Cork
English Market
A covered food market in the centre of Cork, operating since 1788, with stalls selling fish, meat, cheeses and breads under an iron and glass roof and a fountain in the middle.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About English Market
The English Market is Cork's municipal market in the city centre, between the Grand Parade and Princes Street. It has operated on the same site since 1788, and the name comes from the time when the city was governed by a Protestant English elite who created it; a separate market for Irish Catholic traders was located on another street. The current building, with the Princes Street entrance, dates from 1862 and was restored after a fire in 1980.
Inside, the market is a covered hall topped by an iron-and-glass roof, with aisles of stalls and a cast-iron fountain in the centre. It sells fish and seafood from Cork's coast, meats, artisan county cheeses, breads, olives, chocolates and spices. Many stalls are run by families who have worked there for several generations.
Some Cork foods appear almost exclusively at the market, such as spiced beef (cured meat with spices traditional at Christmas), drisheen (a type of blood sausage), and tripe (cooked offal). Upstairs, the market restaurant on a gallery overlooking the fountain serves dishes made from the stalls' produce.
In 2011 Queen Elizabeth II visited the market during the first visit of a British monarch to the Republic of Ireland, and photos of her laughing with a fishmonger went around the world. The market is closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 45 minutes to 1 hour; add about 1 hour more if you have lunch at the market.
Best time
In the morning, between 9 and 11 am, when the stalls are full and there are fewer visitors. At lunchtime on weekdays locals fill the market. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays.
How to get there
It is in the centre of Cork, with entrances on Princes Street, the Grand Parade and Oliver Plunkett Street, a 10-minute walk from Kent Station and 5 minutes from St Patrick's Street.
Tip
Enter via Princes Street to see the main hall with the fountain, and go up to the gallery to look over the stalls. Try the spiced beef or the county cheeses at stalls that offer tastings.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about English Market
Why is it called English Market?
Because it was created in 1788 by Cork's administration, which was dominated by an elite of English origin. Irish Catholic traders had another market on a different street.
Can you eat at the market?
Yes. There are stalls selling snacks and a restaurant in the upstairs gallery, with dishes made using the market's produce.
Does the market open on Sundays?
No. It generally opens Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sundays and public holidays.