A TIMELINE OF CORK
By Tim Lambert
9th Century The Vikings found a town at Cork
1172 Cork is surrendered to the English king
1185 Cork is given a charter
1349 Cork is devastated by the Black Death. However it soon recovers.
1491 A usurper named Perkin Warbeck arrives in Cork. The citizens of Cork support his rebellion against Henry VII.
1649 Oliver Cromwell captures Cork. It is a flourishing town with a population of about 5,000.
1690 Cork is captured by the forces of William of Orange. Afterwards the town walls are destroyed.
1726 Christ Church is built
1750 The Buttermarket is built
1766 South Chapel is built
1806 Parliament Bridge is built
1825 Cork gains gas light
1835 The Court house is built
1836 St Patrick’s Cathedral is built
1841 The Cork Examiner is first published
1849 The railway reaches Cork. University College opens.
1850 The population of Cork has risen to about 50,000. Huge numbers of people emigrate through Cork.
1852 An Irish Industrial Exhibition is held in Cork
1857 Mercy Hospital is founded
1870 St Finbarre's Cathedral is consecrated
1877 The first fire brigade in Cork is formed.
1892 The first public library in Cork opens
1906 The National Monument is erected
1917 Henry Ford opens a car factory in Cork
1920 The Black and Tans burn part of the city centre
1924 The Buttermarket closes
1926 Dalys Bridge is built
1937 Christ the King Church opens
1961 Cork Airport opens
1965 Cork Opera House opens
1971 Parnell Bridge is built
1977 Trinity Bridge is built
1978 The first Cork Jazz Festival is held
1979 Triskel Arts Centre opens
1980 The Ford factory closes
1984 Michael Collins Bridge is built
1985 City Park opens. The Butter Museum opens. Neptune Stadium is built.
1989 The National Sculpture Factory opens. Merchants Quay Shopping Centre opens
1999 Cork Airport Business Park opens. lee Tunnel opens.
2005 Cork is European City of Culture