Irish-style tourism
The ground floor is dedicated to Cork's role in Ireland's fight for independence. It has an archive of photographs and documents related with Cork-born Irish patriots Terence McSwiney, Thomas MacCurtain and Michael Collins.
The first floor houses archaeological displays and exhibits like models depicting early medieval times, things restored from excavations in the city (some of them date back 4000 years) and a working model of an early flour which has an unusual horizontal water wheel.
The museum is furnished with life-size figures, has sound effects and fascinating exhibits. There's also an interesting sound and image presentation telling about the social history and lifestyles of 19th-century Cork, revealing how some people turned to crime.