Breathtaking Views from the Tower
The Tower of St Anne’s Church, topped with the gold salmon weather vane, is one of the most iconic buildings on the Cork City skyline. There are 132 steps in total to reach the viewing balcony. There are interesting features on each floor including ringing the bells and seeing the mechanism of one of the largest caged clocks in Europe. You also get to climb through a belfry, where the 6 tonnes of bells ring out, on your way to a spectacular view of Cork City.
The Tower forms a striking landmark, visible from many parts of the city, with its red sandstone (North & East) and white ashlar limestone (South & West). It is believed that the colours of the tower gave rise to the sporting colours of Cork.
The steps of the tower are built into the 7 foot thick walls and climb up past the clocks, through the belfry to the balcony 36.6 metres above the ground. The tower was raised in height in 1750 to accommodate the eight bells. The McOstrich family were involved in the creation of the tower and whenever a member of their family marries, the bells are rung in their honour.
The Duration to visit the Tower
Average visit time in the Tower is 15-20 minutes.
As St Anne’s is an active Church, there may be closures for services.
Please check the opening times for any restrictions before you visit.
Ability level
The ability level for climbing the tower at St. Anne Church & Shandon Bells and Tower varies, and it’s important to consider factors such as physical fitness and mobility. Climbing the tower involves navigating a staircase with a significant number of steps, which may pose challenges for individuals with mobility issues or certain health conditions.
Ticket Price For Tower
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Over 18 years of age
€6.00 -
Over 65 years of age
€5.00 -
Anyone holding a valid student card and over 16 yrs
€5.00 -
Five to fifteen years of age, under fives go up for free
€3.00 -
Based on two adults and up to four children under 16 yrs
€15.00
Payment Methods: Cash and Card accepted
Book Tickets
What to discover in the Tower as you climb
The Shandon Tower ticket grants you access to the Tower climb of 132 steps and 5 floors Here’s what you can expect:
- 1 Ring the bells of Shandon and meet Bob & Joan
- 2 Listen to the heartbeat of the Tower as the Pendulum keeps time
- 3 View the mechanism of the famous Four Faced Liar Clock
- 4 Climb through the Belfry where the Bells of Shandon chime
- 5 Your reward for your climb-a breathtaking view of Cork City
Ring the bells of Shandon and meet Bob & Joan
Ring the bells of Shandon and meet Bob & Joan
Experience ringing the Shandon Bells at St Anne’s Church, one of the few places where you can ring church bells. Using the Ellacombe Chiming method, a fixed bell method, pull the numbered ropes to ring them. Choose from a variety of songs and become part of the soundtrack of the city. Also on the first floor, view the statues of Bob and Joan, the ancient water-powered bellows, and the clock weights.
Listen to the heartbeat of the Tower as the Pendulum keeps time
Listen to the heartbeat of the Tower as the Pendulum keeps time
The pendulum of the clock keeps time and it’s gentle swaying ticking we call the heart beat of the Tower. You can also learn about the decorative urns that are on the corners of the top of the Tower.
View the mechanism of the famous Four Faced Liar Clock
View the mechanism of the famous Four Faced Liar Clock
View one of the largest caged clocks in Europe, the clock is known locally as the Four Faced Liar as tow of the faces told different times to the other two. The clock was installed in 1847 by the City Council and built by Mangan’s of Cork.
Climb through the Belfry where the Bells of Shandon chime
Climb through the Belfry where the Bells of Shandon chime
The 8 bells weigh over 6 tonnes. The largest bell weighs 2 tonnes alone. As the bells can ring at any time as you pass through the Belfry, we give you ear defenders to wear. This is a narrow space but a unique experience to pass through a belfry when the bells are ringing.
Your reward for your climb-a breathtaking view of Cork City
Your reward for your climb-a breathtaking view of Cork City
And this is your reward, a fabulous almost 360 view of Cork City. View a city built around the river Lee, understand why it’s called a city of steps and steeples.
Iconic Four-Faced Liar
Clock
The Clock was erected by Cork Corporation in 1847, and given the name ‘the four faced liar’ by local wits who noticed that the four clocks were not always in agreement of the exact time. The machinery of the clocks weigh 2 tonnes and the clock faces are 14 feet in diameter. The maker of the clock was James Mangan, who had a clock shop on St. Patrick’s St. until the 1980s. This was the first four-faced clock until the construction of Big Ben in London.
Book Tickets