Views of Cork Harbour from the golf course, three historic buildings and a former railway tunnel now used as a footpath: Monkstown offers several practical starting points for a stay. They range from the fortified house dating from 1636 to churches from the 19th century and a tunnel built in 1902. Visiting golfers are also welcome. When choosing accommodation, you can first decide whether golf, architecture or a combination of the two is the deciding factor.
Golf on Cork Harbour
Monkstown Golf Club is located in the village of Monkstown, overlooking Cork Harbour. The first nine holes also offer views of the harbour. Visiting golfers are welcome; visitor arrangements may change, so check them before making plans. This gives you two specific points to consider: the opportunity for visiting golfers and the harbour views from the club and the first nine holes. Decide whether golf should be a main reason for choosing Monkstown or complement your interest in architectural history.
Architectural history in Monkstown
Monkstown Castle stands on elevated ground overlooking Cork Harbour and retains much of its historic character. It is a detached fortified house dating from 1636. Classifying it as a house distinguishes the building from the outset from the two churches in Monkstown.
The Church of Saint John the Evangelist is a detached, cruciform, two-storey Church of Ireland church dating from 1832. Its picturesque setting offers a view of the River Lee where it meets the sea in Cork Harbour; the church is part of Monkstown’s architectural heritage. The Church of the Most Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary was completed in 1872, after E.W. Pugin and George Ashlin were commissioned to design it. It also overlooks the harbour and is an exceptional building and a significant addition to the village’s architectural heritage.
The dates 1636, 1832 and 1872 give the local architectural theme a timeline. Considered together, the buildings differ in type, date and setting: from the fortified house to the cruciform church and another church building with views of the harbour.
A tunnel with a former railway and current footpath use
The former single-track Monkstown railway tunnel was built in 1902 and is now used as a footpath. Its fine brickwork and masonry are another architectural detail; locally, the tunnel is known as “Cut and Cover.” It adds a former transport route and its current use to the picture of the churches and fortified house.
More architecture and garden attractions in the Cork destination
Beyond Monkstown, the Cork destination offers other distinct architecture and garden themes. Barryscourt Castle was built between 1392 and 1420 as an Irish tower house. In comparison with Monkstown Castle, built in 1636, this puts an earlier date and a different building classification in focus. Fota offers a different emphasis: Fota Arboretum covers 11 hectares and is home to rare, delicate trees and shrubs that grow outdoors. The gardens at Fota include an ornamental pond, formal pleasure gardens, an orangery and a sun temple. These examples broaden the Cork destination’s overall range of themes to include garden landscapes and another type of building.
Choose accommodation based on your travel interests
If golf is part of your plans, take the club’s changeable visitor arrangements into account. This will help you tailor your accommodation search to your actual travel interests.
Discover more destinations
Ballincollig, Skibbereen, Castletown-Bearhaven, Kilbrittain, Eyeries, Tracarta, Ballyhooly, Riverstick
For the main travel overview: Cork.
