What it is
Built after the Battle of Kinsale to keep the city in check, the fort later served as a barracks, a prison for women awaiting transportation and, until 2013, a Garda station. The walls are open to walk around and panels explain each phase; the courtyard hosts markets and events in summer.
From the ramparts you look straight across to St Fin Barre's spires and north to Shandon.
Getting there by bus
The fort is on Barrack Street, two minutes from St Fin Barre's Cathedral and about ten minutes' walk from the Grand Parade via the South Gate Bridge. Buses along Bishop Street and Barrack Street stop at St Fin Barre's Cathedral, just below the entrance.
Barrack Street itself is one of Cork's oldest pub streets.
