Shandon in Cork in County Cork, Munster, Ireland — Irish South-West ((Éire) North Atlantic Ocean)
The Firkin Crane
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An Firkin Crane
| — | Cork Walks – Shandon | — |
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 15, 2026
1. The Firkin Crane / An Firkin Crane Marker
The Firkin Crane building, constructed in 1855, was used by the Butter Exchange to prepare and repair the butter barrels, called firkins. The Firkin Crane, is now a dance and cultural centre, and is on the site of a late 18th century Dominican church, itself on the site of Shandon Castle. This castle once dominated the city but was destroyed in the siege of Cork in 1690. Local tradition has it that stone from the castle was used in the building of St Anne’s Church, Shandon.
Beside the Firkin Crane is the Butter Exchange. The 1849 portico of the Cork Butter Exchange dominates this part of Shandon. The Butter Exchange was a commercial phenomenon; the largest butter market in the world for much of the 19th century, selling Irish butter to five continents.
D’úsáid Malartán an Ime foirgneamh an Firkin Crane, tógtha i 1855, chun na bairlílí ime, ar a dtugtaí firkín, a ullmhú agus a dheisiú. Tá an Firkin Crane ina ionad rince agus cultúrtha anois, é lonnaithe ar shuíomh eaglais Dhoiminiceach ó déanach san 18ú haois, atá suite ann féin ar shuíomh Chaisléan an tSeandúin. Bhí áit thiarnasach ag an gcaisléan sa chathair tráth ach scriosadh é in ionsáí Chorcaí sa bhliain 1690. De réir an traidisiúin áitiúil, úsáideadh cloch ón gcaisléan chun Eaglais Naomh Áine, An Seandún, a thógáint.
Is ionann an Firkin Crane agus Malartán an Ime. Tá póirséid Mhalartán Ime Chorcaí, ón mbliain 1849, tiarnasach ’sa chuid seo den Seandúin. Feiniméan tráchtála ba ea Malartán an Ime; an margadh ime ba mhó a chroim an domhan do rointh mhaith den 19ú haois, ag díol ime na hÉireann le cúig ilchríoch.
Topics.
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Location. 51° 54.163′ N, 8° 28.572′ W. Marker is in Cork, Munster, in County Cork. It is in Shandon. It is at the intersection of John Redmond Street and Francis Street, on the left when traveling west on John Redmond Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: John Redmond St, Cork, Munster, Ireland. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, on the Atlantic Arc, in Europe, on the Island of Ireland, on the Celtic Fringe, in the European Union, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Butter Exchange Brass & Reed Band (a few steps from this marker); Cork Butter Exchange (a few steps from this marker); Butter Market House (within shouting distance of this marker); Eaglais Naomh Áine / St Anne’s Church / Margadh Ime / Butter Market
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 15, 2026
2. The Firkin Crane / An Firkin Crane Marker
The marker is located beneath the Firkin Crane. More than 80 'Cork Walks' trail markers were removed in 2024-5 and replaced by new wayfinding markers. This is one of the few remaining, perhaps due to ongoing construction.
Also see . . . Our Story (Dance Cork Firkin Crane). At the foot of the bells is the Firkin Crane, next to the intriguing Butter Museum and the site of the original Butter Market, from which butter was sent all over the world. The Firkin Crane building was opened in 1855. “Firkin” is a Danish word meaning quarter barrel, which equalled 9 gallons or 80 lbs of butter. The tarred firkins, or casks, were weighed on a balance known as a “Crane”, hence the building’s unusual name. (Submitted on June 11, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 15, 2026
3. The Firkin Crane and Butter Exchange
The Firkin Crane, now home of Dance Cork, is next to the Butter Exchange Building, once the home of the largest butter market in the world.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 11, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
