Starting Sunday, August 9th, Cork will take a step back in history, with the opening of Cork’s Newest Oldest City Market at the Elizabeth Fort Market Festival on Barrack Street.

Elizabeth Fort, first erected in 1601, and named after Queen Elizabeth I, was the  site of the famous St Finn Barrs Market, more than 150 years ago.  Today Elizabeth Fort, with its high walls, is one of the City’s main tourist attractions and occupied by An Garda Síochána.

The Elizabeth Fort Market Festival runs every Sunday from August 9th until September 13th and each date will see a different key attraction, live history reenactments, musical performances and costumed entertainers.

This is a great inititaive and brings life back into the Barrack Street area. I also think that Elizabeth Fort is one of the most under-utilised heritage assets that the city has. For many years, I have brought tourists to this historic site and showed them around the area. Check out the “early origins – city heritage trails at www.corkheritage.ie for more. I have also contacted the OPW through the Senate with regard to re-opening the ramparts for visitors to look down on our great city.

Heres a couple of photos from the Elizabeth Fort Market Festival,

http://www.elizabethfortmarketfestival.com/