VISIT THE CORK PHOTO CATALOG LEARN ABOUT TO OLD FEVER HOSPITAL

URBAN CARTOGRAPHER

MAY 2019 VISIT TO CORK CITY AND COUNTY

CORK AS IT WAS IN 2019

PHOTOGRAPHED BY WILLIAM MURPHY IN MAY

MY FIRST TIME TO VISIT THE SHAKEY BRIDGE

For years, one particular Cork landmark had eluded me: Daly's Bridge, known more affectionately by locals as "The Shakey Bridge". Despite a dedicated, but ultimately fruitless, search back in 2016, my subsequent visits to the city in 2017 and 2018 were filled with trips to Cobh and Midleton, and the bridge fell off my itinerary.

MY MAY 2019 VISIT TO CORK

IN POOR CONDITION

VISIT THE GALLERY WHAT’S THE STORY SEPTEMBER 2025 VISIT TO CORK

A Fortuitous Detour

Even with a better idea of its location, I ended up finding it completely by accident. After a fascinating tour of Cork City Gaol, a guide advised me to walk towards the Mardyke to catch a bus back to the city centre. While wandering along, not entirely sure of my route, I hoped to find a shortcut. I took a chance and turned down a narrow laneway, and there it was at the very end: a pedestrian bridge, instantly recognisable, but in a very poor state of repair. It was the very bridge I couldn't find three years earlier.

To be honest, its condition was quite shocking. I remember thinking it looked almost derelict, a forgotten relic. The characteristic tremor that gives the bridge its name felt more like a worrying wobble. Of course, had I paid more attention, I would have spotted the notice attached to a pole at the entrance, which would have explained everything. At the time, I was completely unaware that this unique piece of Cork's heritage was about to be carefully dismantled and brought away for a major restoration. My accidental discovery had happened in the nick of time.

THE FEVER HOSPITAL STEPS

A more direct example of Murphy's Brewery's connection to the immediate locality and its landmarks can be seen in the restoration of Our Lady's Well, a historic well located adjacent to the Fever Hospital Steps. A plaque at the well commemorates a restoration of the shrine by employees of Murphy's Brewery in May 1981, highlighting a long-standing tradition of community engagement.

The Fever Hospital and its Steps: A Gateway to Care and a Reminder of Epidemics

The Cork Fever Hospital, established in the early 19th century, was a critical institution in a city that, like many urban centres of the time, was frequently ravaged by epidemics of infectious diseases such as typhus, cholera, and smallpox. The hospital was situated atop Richmond Hill, overlooking the densely populated Blackpool neighbourhood, an area that was a hub of industrial activity and working-class housing.

The "Fever Hospital Steps" served as a direct and steep pedestrian route from the lower parts of Blackpool to the hospital. For many, these steps represented a daunting journey towards isolation and an uncertain fate. Today, while the hospital is no longer in operation, the steps remain a significant local landmark, a poignant reminder of the city's battles with infectious diseases and the evolution of its public health system.

 

VISIT THE GALLERY THE HISTORY

MURALS AT FERRY WALK IN CORK

The story of Ferry Walk is a story of evolution, yet at its core lies an unbroken theme of passage and connection. For centuries, the path served a purely functional purpose, facilitating the physical passage of people across the River Lee via a small, human-powered boat. Today, its function has transformed. It now facilitates a cultural passage, serving as a conduit for artistic ideas and expressions onto a public wall. The name "Ferry Walk" remains, a permanent echo of its origins, but its meaning has deepened. It no longer refers merely to a journey across water, but to a journey through layers of time and creativity.

A GALLERY OF STREET ART

FERRY WALK MURALS

VISIT THE GALLERY HISTORY SEPTEMBER 2025 VISIT TO CORK

This photo blog post proposes that Ferry Walk is far more than a simple thoroughfare; it is a microcosm of Cork's own evolution. Its story charts the city's transition from a reliance on traditional river transport to the embrace of modern engineering, and from an identity rooted in officially sanctioned heritage to one that also celebrates a dynamic, grassroots public art culture.

Ferry Walk Murals May 2019

THE BIRDIE MURAL AT FERRY WALK IN CORK

Born in Carrigaline in 1870, Kate Conway became an internationally renowned opera singer. She performed under the stage name Mlle Del Rita. Her voice was said to be so beautiful and sweet that she earned the nickname "Birdie".

LOCATED AT FERRY WALK IN CORK

THE BIRDIE MURAL

PHOTO GALLERY HISTORY

This mural is a tribute to Kate J. 'Birdie' Conway, a significant historical figure from Cork. Commissioned in June 2018 as part of the 'Rebel Street' Street Art festival, the artwork was created to honour her life and her contributions to both the arts and the Irish revolutionary cause.







THE WAR MEMORIAL ON THE SOUTH MALL

"Greater Deed Hath No Man Done"

"They Shall Grow Not Old, As We That Are Left Grow Old…"

"For your tomorrow we gave our today"

I USED A ZEISS BATIS LENS

CORK WAR MEMORIAL

PHOTOGRAPHED 2016 HISTORY PHOTOGRAPHED 2025

Strolling along the grand, tree-lined South Mall in Cork City, it’s impossible to miss the quiet dignity of the War Memorial. Standing as a silent sentinel amidst the city's hustle and bustle, it's a poignant tribute to the local lives given in service during the two greatest conflicts of the 20th century. First unveiled in 1925, this monument is steeped in layers of historical and emotional significance.