While sheep are the stereotypical livestock of Ireland, dairy farming has been an important industry on the island for centuries. As an important port, Cork played a central role in the butter trade. This led to the development of the Cork Butter Exchange which was, in its time, the largest butter market in the world. The story of Ireland's butter industry and Cork's role in it can all be found inside the Butter Museum. Highlights include a large exhibit of butter-making equipment and a keg of thousand-year-old butter (preserved, as was the common practice, in a bog).
The Cork Butter Museum is open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in the summer and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. during the rest of the year. Adult admission is 4 euros.
