What lies beneath?

Step into history and explore the hidden layers of medieval Cork at the Beneath Our Feet exhibition.

Now open at St Peter’s and running until 8 October, the exhibition blends archaeology and art to bring the city’s past to life in creative and engaging ways.

The exhibition is inspired by a major archaeological excavation carried out in 2021–22 at the site of new student accommodation on North Main Street. Twelve timber buildings, including stake-built and post-and-wattle houses, were uncovered, offering rare insights into everyday life in Cork from the 12th to 14th centuries. Waterlogged soil preserved remarkable wooden remains, making the site a unique window into medieval urban life.

Cork City Council archaeologist Ciara Brett, together with artist and archaeologist John Sunderland, secured Creative Ireland funding to interpret the findings through visual arts, expanding the project to include oral histories this year.

Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Fergal Dennehy, opened the exhibition on Culture Night 2025 and said: “This exhibition shows why it’s so important to protect and share our archaeological heritage. By presenting the discoveries visually and imaginatively, we connect the local community directly with their history.”

Visitors can enjoy artworks from Sara Baume, Matt Durran, John Sunderland, Penny Johnston, and Eva Kourela, including painted altarpieces, glass reliefs, sculptural pieces, insect illustrations, and pressed flora. A series of talks runs on 4 October from 1.30-4.30pm, featuring artists, archaeologists, and scientists sharing stories from the excavation and their interpretations of the past. Beneath Our Feet is a rare chance to see medieval Cork through both science and art — a journey into the city’s history that is as educational as it is inspiring.

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.