Cork is a medieval city with surprisingly few medieval buildings still standing. Political upheaval, battles and several devastating fires in the city have left behind relatively little to connect us to that period of our history.
At St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, some stone artefacts dating from the 13th to the 17th centuries remain. These rare objects evoke a time in Irish history which predates the current cathedral by several hundred years.
Included in this exhibition, which you will find in the north aisle of the cathedral, are two 13th century carved stone heads. They were previously embedded in a wall on the cathedral grounds, along with a 15th century arch and a fragment of Dundry stone. In 1999, these items were removed from the wall with the help of University College Cork’s Archeological Department and were brought into the cathedral for safekeeping. This is the first time they have been exhibited publicly since then.
Also on display here are a 15th century crowned head and a door jamb from the same era. The unusually plain baptismal font in this exhibition is dated between the 15th and the 17th centuries.
The Dean’s Gate can be found on the grounds to the north-east of the cathedral. Elements of 15th century stonework and of earlier, 13th century Dundry stone indicate a connection to the pieces on display. A short walk to view the Dean’s Gate is highly recommended as a complement to this exhibition.