Blackrock Castle Observatory

Cork

A sixteenth-century harbour fort on the River Lee, rebuilt in 1829 and now an astronomy centre with a planetarium show and a riverside café.

How to get there by public transport

Nearest stops

Ferney Road #234041380 m Ferney Road #246791380 m Holy Cross Sch #246921570 m Holy Cross Sch #213861580 m Dunlocha Cottages #246291610 m Dunlocha Cottages #236671640 m

Lines stopping nearby

202A 212 219

Plan a route to “Blackrock Castle Observatory”

From your location or a typed address — the route is drawn on the 3D map above.

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Blackrock Castle Observatory — Cork — Blackrock Castle Observatory · MrCorman / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

What it is

The castle was built to guard the harbour against pirates and later served as the admiralty court where Cork's mayor claimed jurisdiction over the harbour. Since 2007 it has been run by Munster Technological University as an observatory: the exhibition covers the search for life beyond Earth, there is a working telescope on the tower, and the courtyard café looks onto the river.

The Blackrock to Passage West greenway starts nearby if you want a flat walk along the estuary.

Getting there by bus

Blackrock is about 4 km east of the city centre. Buses along Blackrock Road and through Blackrock village stop within a few minutes' walk of the castle (Ferney Road and Blackrock village stops); the last stretch along Castle Road is on foot.

Allow half a day if you add the greenway or the Marina walk back to the city.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Blackrock Castle Observatory by public transport?

The nearest stops are Ferney Road, Holy Cross Sch, Dunlocha Cottages. Open any of them to see the lines that stop there, or use the Journey Planner for a route from your location to Blackrock Castle Observatory.

What is the nearest stop to Blackrock Castle Observatory?

Ferney Road (stop code 234041), about 380 m from Blackrock Castle Observatory. On the stop page you can see all the lines that stop there and live arrival estimates.

Where is Blackrock Castle Observatory located?

Blackrock Castle Observatory is in Cork. You can see its exact location and a 3D view at the top of this page.

How do I get to Blackrock Castle Observatory from another part of the city?

Open the Journey Planner, enter your origin (an address or a stop) and Blackrock Castle Observatory as the destination — you will get the best routes with lines, transfers and departure times based on the timetable.