Located on the northside of Cork City the tower known more formally as the Church of St. Annes is the most famous landmark in the county. Shandon or Sean Dun in Irish, means 'old fort'. It is 170 feet in height with walls 7ft. thick.The present 'pepper pot' shaped tower was built in 1722 ,using the sandstone from the old Shandon Castle and the limestone from the Fanciscan Abbey which was located on the North Mall. The limestone faces limestone country to the south and west while the northern and eastern sides face sandstone country.

As the local rhyme says:

"Parti-coloured like its people,

Red and white stands Shandon Steeple."

At its highest point is a weather vane in the form of a fish. It is almost 4 metres long and gilded in gold. It is commonly known amongst Cork peoples as "the goldy fish". A fish was chosen as a weather vane because of the importance, at the time, of the salmon industy on the River Lee.

Opening Hours: Last Entrance to the tower is 30minutes before closing

June July August Septemper

Monday – Saturday 10.00am-5.00pm. Sunday 11.30am-4.30pm

March April May October

Monday – Saturday 10.00am-4.00pm. Sunday 11.30am-3.30pm

November December January February

Monday – Sunday 11.00am-3.00pm.