Free Admission to Cork County Council Attractions Today for Your Council Day

Cork County Council is throwing open the doors to five of its visitor attractions today, Friday 26 June, offering free admission as part of Your Council Day, the national initiative celebrating local government across Ireland.

Your Council Day is an annual campaign coordinated by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) and supported by all 31 local authorities. It is designed to raise awareness of the services and work carried out by local government, celebrating the role of county and city councils and the dedication of their staff. In Cork's case, the celebration takes a particularly hands-on form, with five of the council's most popular heritage sites opening free of charge for the day.

To avail of the free entry, visitors should like Cork County Council's Facebook post and mention "Your Council Day" at the venue on arrival.

The Five Free Attractions

Michael Collins House in Clonakilty is a Cork County Council-owned museum dedicated to Irish patriot and revolutionary hero Michael Collins. Visitors can learn about the "Big Fella" and his life story through guided tours, interactive displays, audio visuals, and artefacts, making it suitable for all the family.

Kinsale Museum is housed in a 400-year-old market house in the centre of Kinsale town. The museum explores important national and international events including the 1601 Battle of Kinsale and the sinking of the Lusitania, the inquest of which was held in the very building. It also tells the curious story of the Kinsale Giant.

Skibbereen Heritage Centre tells the story of the Great Famine of the 1840s, when over one million Irish people died and Skibbereen became infamous as one of the worst-affected areas in all of Ireland. The centre also features an exhibition on Lough Hyne, and offers a genealogy service for the greater West Cork area.

Youghal Clock Gate Tower, the most visible landmark on Youghal's Main Street, was built in 1777 as a gaol, though its story spans 700 years of history. Guided tours by costumed storytellers take visitors across four floors, each depicting a different era. The tour concludes with a magnificent 360-degree view of Youghal Bay from the top of the tower.

St Mary's Collegiate Church in Youghal, sitting within the historic town walls in the Raleigh Quarter, is one of Ireland's oldest churches and most important medieval structures, with roots in 13th century Ireland. The church is the oldest in Ireland still in continuous use and offers an immersive "Voices of St Mary's" visitor experience, interactive displays, and a graveyard trail along part of the town's medieval walls.

Wider Council Attractions

Cork County Council owns and supports a wide portfolio of visitor attractions across the county, including Spike Island, Camden Fort Meagher, the Dursey Island Cable Car, and Cobh Heritage Centre, among others. While these are not part of today's free admission offer, a full list is available at https://bit.ly/3QjoLKW.