Shandon, County Cork

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Shandon
Irish: Seandún
County Cork
Shandon area of Cork city (8123129120).jpg
Houses in Shandon
Location
Grid reference: W671724
Location: 51°54’11"N, 8°28’41"W
Data
Population: 3,144  (2016)
Local Government
Council: Cork
Dáil
constituency:
Cork North-Central

Shandon is a village which has become a suburb on the north-side of the City of Cork. Shandon sits to the north of the River Lee and North Gate Bridge, the northernmost point of the mediæval city. Several landmarks of Cork's north-side are located in the area, including the bell tower of the Church of St Anne, the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne, Saint Mary’s Dominican Church & Priory, and Firkin Crane Arts Centre.

The name of the place is from the Irish An Seandún, meaning "the old fort".

The clock tower of St Anne's church

Shandon is referred to in the song "The Bells of Shandon", which was written by Francis Sylvester Mahony under the pen name of "Father Prout".[1] The bells in the song are thouse of St Anne's Church.

Shandon Street is a principal street in the area, and was originally called Mallow Lane.[2][3]

History

Church and steeple of St Anne's Shandon

Shandon was one of a number of settlements in and around ancient Cork, and takes its name from an old fort (sean dún) in the area.[4] A mediæval church dedicated to St. Mary was built close to the site of the fort, and referred to in 12th century texts as 'St. Mary of the Mountain'.[4] A later castle, built on or close to the site of the more ancient fort, became the official residence of the Lord President of Munster from the 16th century.[4] This castle (Shandon Castle) and the original church of St Mary (St Mary of the Mountain) were both destroyed during the Siege of Cork in the late 17th century.[2]

About the village

The Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne is a Roman Catholic cathedral known locally as the "North Cathedral").[5] The Church of St Anne is the Church of Ireland parish church. Another Roman Catholic church in Shandon is St Mary's Dominican Church on Popes Quay.[6]

Other sights in the area include the Firkin Crane (a theatre and dance venue), Cork Butter Museum, the Shandon Craft Centre, and Skiddy's Almshouse.[7]

Events

Shandon Street Festival is an annual event which takes place during the summer.[8][9]

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References