Today, our class enjoyed a fantastic school tour to the Old Cork Waterworks Experience in Cork. It was a fun-filled day of learning, exploration, and activities. We had been learning about The Industrial revolution and steam engines in our history lessons last month so this trip really helped us understand what life was like during this time. We saw Victorian-era buildings, steam-powered machinery and engineering inventions. The huge engines and boilers showed us how technology changed people’s lives during the 19th century and helped growing cities meet the needs of their populations. The Old Cork Waterworks is one of Ireland’s best-preserved Victorian water-pumping stations and tells an important story about Cork’s industrial heritage.
When we arrived, we were welcomed to the historic Victorian waterworks, which tells the story of how clean water was supplied to Cork City from the 1700s to the present day. The centre combines history, science, and technology through interactive exhibits and restored machinery. We learned about Cork’s industrial heritage, explored the impressive steam engines and boilers, and discovered the importance of water conservation and environmental awareness. The hands-on displays made learning both exciting and engaging for everyone.
We learned many interesting facts and stories about the Waterworks and how people lived in the past. We especially enjoyed our tour around the ‘Engine House’ section of the building. We got to see the real, restored machines that once pumped water to homes across the city from this building.
After our visit, we travelled to Fitzgerald’s Park, where we enjoyed a relaxing picnic lunch together. The weather was kind to us, and it was wonderful to sit outdoors, chat with our friends and enjoy our food in such a beautiful setting.
Following lunch, everyone had great fun in the playground. There was plenty of running, climbing, swinging, and playing as we made the most of the outdoor space. It was a fantastic opportunity to relax and spend time with our classmates after an educational morning.The trip was a wonderful balance of learning and fun. We gained new knowledge about science, history, and the environment while also enjoying time outdoors.
As you can see from the photos below, we had so much fun! We returned to school with lots of happy memories and plenty of stories to share about our adventure!
Togher Boys' National School 