The Tower Bar, CORK, Cork

The Tower Bar has been in the Kelleher family since 1976. So if your visiting Cork, call in for some refreshment and meet some of the dwellers under the "De Goldie Fish".

The Tower Bar is set on Gerald Griffin Street, Blackpool, between the North Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Ann, which is known by locals as the North Chapel and the North Presentation Convent in the one of the most historic areas of Cork City. The area also has a host of historic buildings such as St. Ann's Shandon, Cork's most famous church also known as the Four Faced Liar, Skiddy's Almshouse, and the Firkin Crane, which has found new life as a cultural centre.

Shandon is open to the public and it is possible to ring its famous bells and ascend to the top for a spectacular view of the city. The name Shandon comes from the Irish, Sean Dun and means Old Fort. A Medieval church dedicated to St. Mary existed on this site and is mentioned by Pope Innocent III in 1199 as "St. Mary on the Mountain"

Shandon is built with two types of stone, red sandstone from the original Shandon castle, which stood nearby and limestone taken from the derelict Franciscan Abbey, which stood on the North Mall.
As you approach Shandon, from all directions, you will see both coloured stone of red and white and such is the affection that Shandon holds in the hearts of the citizens of Cork that they designated both colours to represent the city.

The weather vane on Shandon is called "De Goldie Fish" by Corkonians and people in the north side live under "De Goldie Fish". The area was the heart of the Irish beef trade and the centre of the worldwide butter trade, based on the Cork Butter Exchange. Which houses the Cork Butter Museum.

Blackpool is also home to Lady’s Well Brewery, which takes its name from a famous well near by, was founded in 1856 by the Murphy family and is now part of the Dutch brewing company Heineken.

The Tower Bar itself is over 200 years old and is reputed to have been used as an inn and stables by Bianconi Stage Coaches. Its position on the then Mallow Lane that was the main northern arterial route into the city of Cork. Subsequently it was known as Clarence St before been called Gerald Griffin St after the poet and novelist of the same name who joined the Christian Brothers at The North Monastery, Cork

The bar caters for all from the cradle to the grave, it is part of the local community where people come to chat, have a pint and socialise. We have a weekly table quiz at 10pm on Wednesday nights, two golf societies, a dart team and regular card schools. A full array of sporting fixtures is covered on three televisions, including horse racing, GAA, soccer, rugby, etc. …

So whether you want to come in for a quiet drink and read the newspaper, avail of the free wifi or interact with the locals, The Tower Bar is the place for you.