Fort Elizabeth - old fortress in the Irish city of Cork, built in the early 17th century by order of Lord President of Munster, George Carew. The name of the fort was named after the ruling at the time of the Queen of England and Ireland, Elizabeth I.

The history of the fort Elizabeth began in 1601, when on a hill outside the city walls of the medieval Cork with the aim to protect the approaches to the town was built outpost. The original fort was a pentagonal fortification, built of wood and earth. Location of the fortress was a significant negative - in the case of capture by the enemy city was becoming too vulnerable. Because of these considerations, in 1603 the people of Cork have destroyed the fort, but soon it was restored by the city and later rebuilt several times.

The earliest structure of the fort, preserved to this day, dates back to 1624-1625 years. It was then that the old fort replaced by more powerful fortifications. Significant changes have undergone the fort and in 1649 under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell. In 1690, during the so-called War of the two kings (also known as Jacobite Vilyamitskaya or war), Cork was besieged by troops Williamite. After the city walls were demolished, Cork surrendered, he fell with him and the fort.

In 1719 the castle was converted into a barracks and as such has been used until 1806. Subsequently, there has always been women's prison, where prisoners mainly were awaiting their shipment to New South Wales and other British colonies, and then The Cork City artillery. During the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921) Fort Elizabeth took the British forces who had left it after the signing of the peace treaty between the UK and Ireland. In August 1922, in the midst of the Civil War, the fort thoroughly damaged by fire. After the Civil War, the fort was rebuilt, and it housed The Cork Garda (Irish police).

In 2013, Fort Elizabeth as an important historical monument was transferred to the The Cork City Council. Today, the fort is still under active development as a tourist destination and is open to visitors only in part, but you can climb walls and fully enjoy the superb panoramic views. Periodically Fort Elizabeth hosts various fairs and festivals.