Cork in the 18th and 19th Century.

   
Cork began to export vast amounts of butter and beef to England and to other European countries and indeed to North America during the 18th and 19th centuries. This happened because of 'The Cattle Act', a law which didn't allow Ireland sell its cattle to England. However butter and the hides (skins) of animals could still be sold to England. This trade made many city merchants in Cork very rich and with this new wealth in the city, the Corporation were able improve the layout of the city and the life of its citizens.
Much of the marsh reclamation was funded by these traders. Large areas of marsh were filled in with stone and earth,and buildings and streets were built in their place.

Many new buildings were erected in Cork in the 18th century:

The South Chapel was built in 1766.

South Presentation Convent was founded in 1776 by Nano Nagle.

 
Christ Church was re-built in 1720-26.
 St Anne's Shandon was built in 1722-26. The famous Shandon bells were installed in 1752.

 

 

During the 18th century Cork was a busy port.


A Custom House was built in 1724. (today the Crawford Gallery)

A Corn Market was built in 1740.( today the Coal Quay)


The Butter Market was built in 1750 (today the Firkin Crane Centre and the Butter Exchange Centre).
Firkin Crane Centre
Butter Museum

 

In the late 17th and early 18th centuries French Protestants (Huguenots) arrived in Cork fleeing from religious persecution. The Huguenot Quarter and French Church Street gets its name from them. Fr Fontain (Fountainstown) was their first pastor.

Cork in the 19th Century.

During the early 19th century the population of Cork exploded. By the middle of the 19th century Cork had a population of about 80,000. Some of the increase was due to immigration from the countryside as people fled from poverty. There was a great deal of poverty and overcrowding in Cork during this century.

From the time of the potato famine (1845-1849) onwards Cork was the main port for emigrants from Ireland to the USA and other countries. It remained the main port for emigrants well into the 20th century as vast numbers of people fled extreme poverty.

During the 19th century important industries in Cork included brewing (beer), distilling (whiskey),wool and shipbuilding. Cork was also, of course, an important port. During the 19th century large numbers of Irish people emigrated to England and America from Cork.

 

During this century many of today's landmarks were also built:
Parliament Bridge was built in 1806.

 

A new Custom House was built in Cork in 1818.

Cork County Gaol (Jail)was built in 1825.

 

The Court House was built in 1835.

 

Cork City Gaol (Jail) was built in 1867.

   

There were a number of improvements in Cork during the 19th century.

In 1825 Cork gained gas light. The Cork Examiner was first published in 1841. The railway reached Cork in 1849. Also in 1849 University College, Cork opened. The first fire brigade in Cork was formed in 1877. The first public library in Cork opened in 1892.

The Mercy Hospital was founded in 1857.

St Mary's and St Anne's Cathedral was built in 1808 but it burned down in 1820 and had to be rebuilt.
St Patrick's Church was built in 1836.

A Statue of Father Matthew was erected in 1864. St Finbarr's Cathedral was consecrated in 1870.
   
   
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