Welcome to the Cork Past and Present website

Temporary non-availabilty of selected stock

Due to plans to digitise selected genealogical resources, some of our stock will be unavailable for consultation for a limited period. The items which are currently off-site are:

Dublin, Cork, and South of Ireland 1892 (Stratten's)
Cork Exhibition Guides and Catalogues
Guys Topographical Directory 1889
Civil Survey 1654 - 56
Cork: its Trade and Commerce

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

What you can find in the Cork Past & Present site

The English Market / An Margadh Gallda (nó) Sasanach

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Visit our Catalogue, including local index to newspapers/periodicals.

You can also visit our Cork City Libraries general website by clicking on the 'Libraries Leabharlanna' logo at the top left of any Cork Past and Present webpage, or by going to www.corkcitylibraries.ie.

Cultural Events

Cork is a city with a varied and vibrant artistic community, and a fascinating cultural heritage. »

Genealogy

In this section you will find a guide to tracing your family history, a list of the sources for genealogical research in Cork City Libraries, and more. »

Local History

The Local Studies department contains a wide range of material on the history, geography, antiquities, archaeology, folklore and culture of Cork city and county. »

What's New?

New higher-resolution images of our historic maps are now available on this website.
Images of buildings & scenery from Cork and County Cork in the twentieth century (1911) by Rev. Rd J. Hodges have been added to this website.
The Grove White Notes on places in North Cork are now available.
John Windele's Historical and descriptive notices of the city of Cork and its vicinity is now available.
The Illustrated London News: — Cork related articles for the period 1844-85 are now available.
Both the 1901 and 1911 census returns for Cork are available online at National Archives of Ireland.
Cork historical directories
The Cork city & county street and trade directories for the years 1787; 1809-10; 1844-5; 1846; 1856; 1863; 1870; 1871; 1875-6; 1881; 1884; 1891; 1907; 1913; 1921 and 1945 are now available.
Online Images
You can view hundreds of online images, mainly about Cork, by searching our Catalogue.