The South Mall

South Mall

A photograph of a building on the South Mall in Cork with steps leading to the street level. Do you like the look of the building?

© Cork City Libraries

South Mall
© Cork City Libraries

South Mall

A photograph of a building on the South Mall in Cork with steps leading to the street level. Do you like the look of the building?

© Cork City Libraries

Enlarge image

The South Mall also houses some of Cork's most pleasing architecture.

Take a look at these photos of some former merchants' houses with steps leading from the front door to street level.

This recalls the time when the South Mall was a river channel and the merchants stored merchandise in storerooms almost level with the river, while their living quarters were above the level of the river.

South Mall

A photograph of a building on the South Mall in Cork with steps leading to the street level. It recalls the days when the South Mall was a channel of the Lee and merchants held their goods in cellars just above water level while the living quarters above were accessible by the steps.

© Cork City Libraries

South Mall
© Cork City Libraries

South Mall

A photograph of a building on the South Mall in Cork with steps leading to the street level. It recalls the days when the South Mall was a channel of the Lee and merchants held their goods in cellars just above water level while the living quarters above were accessible by the steps.

© Cork City Libraries

Enlarge image

The steps which still remain gave access to the living quarters.

However, as the wealth of the city grew so did it's poulation, which meant a poor working class also needed to be housed...