Fitzgerald's Park Details, how it got its name and its Natural, Relaxing Countryside:

Fitzgerald's Park is situated on the picturesque bank of the river Lee and spans eighteen acres. This small, well-tended park is beside the River Lee's north channel in the west of the city. The park contains the Cork Public Museum, a Georgian mansion that houses a well-planned exhibit about Cork's history since ancient times, with a strong emphasis on the city's Republican history. The park has swings and slides for children to play on and is a popular Bank Holiday and sunny Sunday location for young families. It is not only the young, however, who enjoy the park! Also on site is the Cork Public Museum where you can peruse Michael Collins's love letters to Kitty O'Shea among other titbits. Located on the Mardyke, it possesses beautiful landscaped gardens, rich with trees and shrubs, which contain sculptures by Cork's own Seamus Murphy, John Burke, etc. The park was opened in 1720 and is accessed via the Mardyke.

The Park is named after Edward Fitzgerald, who was lord Mayor of Cork from 1901 to 1903 and he was also the "Chairman of Exhibition Committee". At a meeting of Cork Corporation in February 1901, Lord Mayor, Edward Fitzgerald, mooted the holding of an International Exhibition in Cork. Fuelled by his energy and the organisational skills of several others his dream came to fruition in May 1902. The Exhibition Committee purchased a house and lands beside the Mardyke Walk called "The Shrubberies" and leased adjoining lands. This Committee then constructed an elaborate complex of buildings to house a wide range of cultural and industrial exhibits, as well as fair ground attractions. During its 1902 season (1st May to 1st November) the International Exhibition attracted over one million visitors. The attractions were varied - industrial and machinery halls, a Grand Concert Hall and a Women's section vied for attention with amusements that included the Great Water Chute and the Switchback Railway. The success of the 1902 season prompted the Exhibition Committee to re-opon again in 1903. The highlight of the 1903 season was the visit to the exhibition grounds on 1st August, during their Irish tour, of King Edward V11 and Queen Alexandra. Following the conclusion of the Exhibition in 1903, most of the buildings were dismantled, but "The Shrubberies" and grounds were presented to the citizens of Cork as a recreational area. It was decided to name the grounds "Fitzgerald Park" in honour of the Exhibition's initiator, who was also honoured by being created a baronet.

It is the perfect place for an evening stroll. Generations of Cork people have strolled through the park, relaxed and enjoyed its calm tranquil atmosphere among the trees, shrubs and sculptures. To one side is the River Lee with swans, beyond which, lie the verdant gardens of Sunday's Well, sloping down to the river bank, with here and there, a small slip peeping out, evoking memories of days when residents regurlarly went punting on the river. Follow the road back to the river, cross over the bridge on to the South Main Street, and on your left is the Beamish and Crawfords Brewery. From here you can visit Cork's famous Shaky Bridge overlooking the River Lee.

So you can see that this is a very good park. Not too big, and with people just lying in the grass reading a book or relaxing. There is an ice-cream man where you can buy a big soft ice cream for 1 euro, a children's play ground, a large pond in the middle of the park and a view on a posh area of the city uphill...a very good place to spend a lazy sunday afternoon.