English Market


The English Market is a municipal food market in the center of Cork, Ireland, occupying an area stretching from Princes Street to the Grand Parade. It is made-up of Princes Street Market and Grand Parade Market, and is regarded for its mid-19th century architecture, and locally produced artisan food.
The market is well supported locally and has become a tourist attraction.

History

The term English Market was coined in the 19th century to distinguish the market from the nearby St. Peter's Market, which was known as the Irish Market. There has been a market on the present site since 1788 but the present group of buildings was constructed in the mid-19th century with the ornamental entrance at Princes Street being constructed in 1862 by Sir John Benson. The market changed little over the next century or so until it was seriously damaged by fire on 19 June 1980 and had to be extensively refurbished by Cork City Council. The refurbishment work was done in sympathy with the original Victorian building's design and won a Gold Medal from the Europa Nostra heritage foundation for conservation shortly after its completion. The refurbished market suffered a second fire in 1986 but the fire was less damaging than the first.

Today

It is administered by Cork City Council. Since its refurbishment the market has become more multicultural, and a variety of fresh produce from around the world can be bought there. The market is still best known however for its fresh fish and butchers, and it serves many of the city's top restaurants. It is a source of local specialities such as drisheen, spiced beef, and buttered eggs.
The market was visited by Queen Elizabeth II during a state visit in 2011, and by Charles, Prince of Wales during a visit in 2018. Both were served by fishmonger Pat O'Connell. In 2016 and 2017, the English Market was used as a location for the film The Young Offenders and the subsequent TV series of the same name.
Cork City Council and the site's traders marked the market's 230th anniversary in August 2018.