Shandon Bells & Tower (St Anne's Church)

Overview

The tower of St Anne's Church in Shandon is one of Cork's most iconic landmarks, famous for its four-faced clock (nicknamed 'the four-faced liar' because the faces historically showed different times) and its set of eight bells that visitors can ring.

Highlights

• Ring the bells: Climb to the belfry and play tunes on the Shandon Bells — sheet music is provided.
• Tower views: Continue to the top for a 360-degree panorama of Cork city.
• Unique clock faces: Two faces in red sandstone and two in white limestone, each showing a slightly different time.

History

St Anne's Church was built in 1722 on the site of a church destroyed during the Williamite siege of 1690. The bells, cast in 1752 by Abel Rudhall of Gloucester, weigh a combined 5.5 tonnes. The tower's distinctive pepper-pot dome has been a navigational landmark for centuries.

Visitor Tips

• Fitness: There are 132 steps to the top — the staircase is narrow and steep.
• Bell-ringing: You can choose from songsheets or improvise your own tune.
• Duration: 25–40 minutes.