English Market, Cork City

Commerce began on this site as the result of a 1610 charter of King James. The building that first covered this old English style food market was designed by Sir John Benson and built in 1881. A fire wreaked havoc here in 1980, but the market was subsequently rebuilt. Today it is known as Ireland’s best. It is a paradise for lovers of good food, and known as Princes Street Market, or as the locals refer to it, the Covered Market.

A large variety of fresh fish is available for purchase, including flatfish, eels and langoustines, salt cod, and smoked salmon. Stalls offer the best in cheeses – Gubbeen from West Cork, Cashel Blue and Maighen from Tipperary, and Benoskee from Dingle.

The Alternative Bread Co. serves a large selection of handmade bread sand the Olive Stall provides olive oil, soap, and imported olives from Italy, France and Spain.

O’Reilly’s sells specialty meats such as tripe(cow’s stomach), and drisheen (blood sausage).

Many of the local restaurant operators take advantage of the variety and convenience of the market, which also contains a bookshop, barber shop, and a pleasant café where visitors can rest and watch the activity of Cork life pass by.