The Butter Museum

About the museum

The Butter Museum stands at O’Connell Square in Shandon, on the north side of Cork city, beside the old Cork Butter Exchange. Its collection tells the story of one of Ireland’s great trading successes. It begins with the central role of dairy products in early Irish life and moves on to the Butter Exchange, which was set up by Cork merchants in the late eighteenth century and grew into the largest butter market in the world.

The Exchange was known for its strict quality control. Inspectors examined each barrel, called a firkin, for colour, smell and salt and graded the butter from first to sixth class, which gave Cork butter a worldwide reputation. At its height in the early 1880s some 440,000 firkins passed through the market, and the butter was shipped to Africa, Australia, America and above all England. Milder, less salted butter made with new technology then drew customers away, and the Exchange closed in 1924. Its portico entrance still survives.

The museum opened in 1985 and also shows the craft of making butter at home, a large collection of historic butter wrappers from the days when Ireland had more than 150 butter brands, and the modern success of the Kerrygold brand. A wall installation commemorates the 1974 visit to Ireland of the German artist Joseph Beuys and the art champion Oliver Dowling. Butter-making demonstrations take place twice a week.

Highlights

• Story of the Cork Butter Exchange, once the largest butter market in the world
• Live butter-making demonstration with butter and bread to taste
• Collection of historic Irish butter wrappers
• Dairy tools and churns, including a container of medieval bog butter
• A Wall for Joseph and Oliver, remembering Joseph Beuys’s 1974 visit to Ireland

Permanent exhibitions

• The Cork Butter Exchange and the butter trade – The rise of Cork as an Atlantic trading city, the grading of butter in the Exchange and the “butter roads” that fed it.
• The butter wrapper collection – Vintage wrappers that show how Irish butter packaging and branding changed over time.
• A Wall for Joseph and Oliver – A tribute to the art champion Oliver Dowling and the artist Joseph Beuys, who lectured in Cork in 1974.

Founded

1985

Admission & discounts

The butter-making demonstration is included in the admission price.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is fully wheelchair accessible, has no steps and has a visitor lift. There is no large-format accessible bathroom, but the ladies’ toilet has hand supports. The pavements on the way can be blocked by bins, and the route from Pope’s Quay to Dominic Street is stepped. The museum has no special provision yet for visitors with hearing or sight needs and is working on an app. A social story is available for neurodiverse visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

The museum describes itself as child friendly. It has a children’s activity sheet and a play farm, and children can print their own butter wrapper. A baby changing mat is available at reception.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on high ground on the north side of the River Lee. Enter the Eircode T23 H004 in your navigation.

Amenities & dining

There is no café in the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit