The name Shandon stems from the Irish Sean Dún, meaning "Old Fort". It is believed that this refers to the ringfort of the MacCarthaigh family, who occupied the area around 1000 A.D.
History
The area was originally developed by the Normans, as a route to the north gate of the city, and rose in prominence due to its proximity to Shandon Castle, the administrative centre of the province of Munster. The area was heavily damaged during the 1690 Siege of Cork, but subsequent rebuilding saw the erection of the landmark St. Anne's Church. The North Cathedral was also erected at the top of Shandon Street in 1624. The present day structure, however, is the fifth church to occupy the site; churches have been rebuilt there numerous times, most recently following an 1820 fire. Commercial activity at this time included a regular cattle market, where large numbers of animals were exported to the West Indies, eastern US, Britain and Canada. In response to a 1582 famine and outbreak of plague, Stephen Skiddy, a MasterVintner, willed funds to build a number of almshouses in the city. One such almshouse, built in the 18th century and referred to as Skiddy's Almshouse, is still standing adjacent to Shandon Street. The 18th century saw the development of the Butter Market in response to the penal laws, which indirectly encouraged commercial ventures among wealthy Catholic families. This led to the foundation of the Committee of Butter Merchants, who, in 1770, instated the inspection of butter exports. The increasing butter trade resulted in Shandon Street becoming an important international trading centre, and a focal point within the city. There was a notable diversity in standards of living in the area, with wealthy retailers living directly on the street, and many tenement halls on the numerous adjoining streets.
Recent development
The closure of the Butter Market in 1924 due to competition from continental Europe led to a period of decline. Recent attempts at reversing the decline include the construction of the Cork Butter Museum and the Firkin Crane theatre. As part of the €15m Shandon Area Renewal Scheme, in 2004, Shandon Street was redeveloped. This included the renewal of paving and the replacement of derelict buildings with infill housing.
