St. Anne's Church
Cork’s most recognizable landmark, also known as Shandon Church, is famous for its giant pepper-pot steeple and eight melodious bells. Pretty much wherever you stand in the downtown area, you can see the stone tower crowned with a gilt ball and distinctive fish weathervane. The clock, added in 1847, made it the first four-faced clock tower in the world (beating London’s Big Ben by just a few years). Until fairly recently, due to a quirk of clockworks, it was known as “the four-faced liar” because each side showed a different time—except on the hour when they all somehow managed to synchronize. Disappointingly, perhaps, that charming oddity has now been repaired. Climb the 1722 belfry tower for a chance to ring the famous Shandon Bells. (Be warned though: It’s 132 steps up to the belfry, and the gap narrows to a claustrophobic half-meter—that’s just over 1 1/2 feet—near the entrance to the belfry.) If you continue on the somewhat precarious climb past the bells, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views over the surrounding countryside.
Cork’s most recognizable landmark, also known as Shandon Church, is famous for its giant pepper-pot steeple and eight melodious bells. Pretty much wherever you stand in the downtown area, you can see the stone tower crowned with a gilt ball and distinctive fish weathervane. The clock, added in 1847, made it the first four-faced clock tower in the world (beating London’s Big Ben by just a few years). Until fairly recently, due to a quirk of clockworks, it was known as “the four-faced liar” because each side showed a different time—except on the hour when they all somehow managed to synchronize. Disappointingly, perhaps, that charming oddity has now been repaired. Climb the 1722 belfry tower for a chance to ring the famous Shandon Bells. (Be warned though: It’s 132 steps up to the belfry, and the gap narrows to a claustrophobic half-meter—that’s just over 1 1/2 feet—near the entrance to the belfry.) If you continue on the somewhat precarious climb past the bells, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views over the surrounding countryside.
Details
Bookstore
Available as paperback
and as e-book.
