Tour of St Finbarr's Hospital and Cork Union Workhouse Buildings

What to Expect

This free guided tour explores the historic buildings of St Finbarr’s Hospital on Douglas Road, originally constructed as Cork’s Union Workhouse in 1841 with a capacity for 2,000 impoverished people. During the Great Famine the workhouse housed over 5,000 people. The two-hour tour covers the workhouse’s history, its transformation into a hospital, and its significance as a heritage site. Meet just inside the gates of the hospital; no booking required.

Good to Know

• Part of National Heritage Week (15-23 August 2026), exact date during the week
• Duration: approximately 2 hours
• Free, no booking required
• Meet inside the gates of St Finbarr’s Hospital on Douglas Road
• Contact: Cllr Kieran McCarthy at +353876553389

Getting There

St Finbarr’s Hospital is on Douglas Road, approximately 2km south of Cork city centre, accessible by bus.