Moving Pictures: A Historic City Walk

To mark Heritage Week 2026, we invite you to join Cork International Film Festival for a fascinating guided walking tour exploring the city's rich cinematic and architectural heritage. 

Led by architectural historian Danielle O'Donovan, this 90-minute walk through Cork's VQ (MacCurtain Street area) will uncover the stories behind some of the city's best-loved cinemas and entertainment venues, revealing how they have shaped Cork's cultural life.

Meeting Time: 18.00

Meeting Point: Outside Gallagher's Pub (Corner of Bridge Street & MacCurtain Street)

Duration: 90 minutes

Using material from the Cork International Film Festival Digital Archive, alongside historic photographs, local stories and archival research, the tour will bring to life the people, places and events that helped establish Cork as a city with a remarkable cinema-going tradition. Stops along the route include iconic landmarks such as The Everyman, the site of the former Coliseum Cinema and The Metropole Hotel.

Participants will discover how Cork's historic streets have evolved alongside the development of cinema and learn about the origins and legacy of Cork International Film Festival, Ireland's first and largest film festival, which has been connecting audiences with world cinema since 1956.

Advance booking is essential due to limited capacity.

The walking tour operates on an optional pay-what-you-wish basis. Every contribution helps keep events like this accessible to all.

Supported by Cork City Council Local Heritage and Biodiversity Community Grant Scheme.