Sunday’s Well

Sunday’s Well is situated on the northern banks of the River Lee. It is one of Cork’s oldest suburbs and was a fashionable area of residence as far back as the 18th century.

The name Sunday’s Well comes from an ancient holy well that was located on what is now the Sunday’s Well road. It was a place of pilgrimage each Sunday when believers would come and drink from the well.

Now it is a mainly residential but has a great historical relevance as old Cork City Gaol and Cork Asylum were located here. 

Public Transport

Walking

Sunday’s Well is across the River Lee from UCC and Cork City. The river can be crossed easily at many points by pedestrians.

Bus Routes

The 201 Bus Eireann route runs though Sunday’s Well. It follows this route:

• 201 CUH – CIT – Wilton Road – Hollyhill – Farranree – Blackpool – Ballyvolane – Lotabeg

Taxis

There are many taxi services running in the Sunday’s Well area such as

Satellite Taxi – 021 480 80 80

Cork Taxi CoOp – 021 427 2222

Yellow Cabs – 021 487 4444

The area is also served by the FreeNow Taxi App.

Trains

The nearest train station is Kent Station in Cork City Centre. 

History & Heritage 

Cork City Gaol was first built in the 1820’s as a gaol for men and women who comitted crimes in Cork City. In 1878 it became Cork Women’s Gaol for those from city and county. Many famous republican figures were imprisoned here including the first ever female member of parliment Countess Markievicz. During the Civil War of 1922 and 1923 the prison was once again opened to both men and women anti-treaty prisoners. In 1923 the gaol was closed and prisoners were either moved or released.

 

Our Lady’s Psychiatric Hospital or Cork Asylum was first opened in 1842. It served under various names over the next 150 years as annexs and further buildings were added before it finally closed in 1992. Various buildings are now or have already been converted into residential units. 

 

Strawberries were grown in the area now known as Strawberry Hill between Blarney Street and Sunday’s Well road from as far back as the 18th century. They were said to be the best strawberries in Cork. Later the area became home to many UCC lecturers including at one point George Boole. 

Attractions

There are some incredible attractions in the Sunday’s Well area. Our top three are Cork City Gaol Museum, Old Cork Waterworks Experience and the Shakey Bridge. 

As previously mentioned Cork City Gaol is a great insight into the old Irish prison system and the museum does a great job highlighting the story of some of the infamous inmates that passed through it’s cells. But as well as the history of the prisoners is a first rate radio museum this commemorates Cork’s first radio station which was based in the prison after it closed in the 1920’s!

 

The Old Cork Waterworks experience is a chance to see, feel and smell the old waterworks house that drove the prosperity of Cork City since the 18th century. It gives a thorough insight into the industrial heritage of the area. It also hosts the Lifetime Lab which offers primary school pupils a hands on approach to their science and maths curriculum. 

 

The newly renovated Daly’s Bridge, or the Shakey Bridge as it is commonly known, connects Sunday’s Well on the north side of the River Lee with Fitzgerald Park on the south.. It is the only suspension bridge in Cork and is a legendary local landmark.

Culture & Activity

Sport & Clubs

Sunday’s Well is in a strange position where there are lots of sports clubs connected to the area that no longer are based there.

For example the Sunday’s Well Boating & Tennis Club is now based across the river on Mardyke Walk, St Vincent’s GAA is now based in Knocknaheeny but they still have a club house in the area. Sunday’s Well Rugby Club is now based out of Irish Independent Park but still maintains a strong supporter base in the area.

St. Anne’s Pitch and Putt Club was connected to St. Anne’s hospital but is now a public club that welcomes all new members. 

Eating & Drinking

There is some superb places to eat and drink in the Sunday’s Well area. 

For drinks go no further than The Friary, The Joshua Tree, Monk Cocktail Bar (At the Franciscan Well) and Horgan’s Bar. 

Some of our favourite places to eat include Sunny House Restaurant & Takeaway, Indiran Aagrah Takeaway, Vikki’s Café and Wine Bar and in our opinion some of the best pizza in Cork can be found at the Franciscan Well Brewpub. 

Religion

The Cork Muslim Centre or Cork Dawah Centre is a nonproft that provides educational material on the study of the Quran and Sunnah and educates non-Muslims on the teachings of Islam.

Our Lady of the Rosary Church is a Roman Catholic church that holds regular services and sacrements each week. 

Education

There are three primary schools in the Sundays Well area; Sunday’s Well Girls National School, Sunday’s Well Boys National School and Blarney Street CBS.  These feed into Secondary Schools in the nearby suburbs.