Success Story, Our
Butter Trade
Shandon, Cork City
Welcome to
The Butter Museum
An Original and Memorable ExperienceThe Butter Museum is a unique institution, celebrating one of the great success stories of Ireland, the butter trade. Located in the historic Shandon area of Cork city, the story begins with the central role of dairy culture in the Island of Saints and Scholars. The Museum goes on to describe the internationally important Butter Exchange in nineteenth century Cork, the traditional craft of home butter making and the modern success of the Kerrygold brand.
Explore Experience
THE BUTTER MUSEUM
EXPERIENCES
Museum Admission
Adults: €5.00
Students/Seniors/Concession: €4.00
Children: €2.00
Children under 12 free (in a family group)
Groups (10+) by arrangement only
Carers/Accompanying Persons/Companions: free admission
Opening hours
JANUARY – FEBRUARY: Open Sat 10 – 4 and Sun 11-4 only, closed Monday-Friday
MARCH – APRIL: Wed – Sat 10.00 – 4.00, Sun 11.00 – 4.00, closed Mondays and Tuesdays
MAY – OCTOBER: Open daily, Mon – Sat 10.00 – 4.00, Sun 11.00 – 4.00
NOVEMBER – DECEMBER: Wed – Sat 10.00 – 4.00, Sun 11.00 – 4.00, closed Mondays and Tuesdays
OPEN BANK HOLIDAY MONDAYS: 11.00 – 4.00
Butter Making Demonstrations
Experience the Art of Traditional Butter Making on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 12.00
We are a small Museum and can only seat 35 guests for our butter making demonstrations. We cannot offer a pre-payment or booking facility for demonstrations: to increase your chances of a seat, we recommend you arrive early at 11 am or thereabouts, enjoy the Museum self-guided tour and stay for the demonstration. If all seats are taken by 11.45 am or so, we may go ahead with the demonstration. There is always plenty of fresh bread and newly-made butter to sample afterwards even if you missed the demonstration this time!
Testimonials
What Our Visitors Say
Charming local museum! Georgia, TripadvisorMe and my friend stumbled on to this place while in Cork. The staff were friendly and welcoming. The museum itself was small but charming.
Worth a visit if you have a spare hour while in the town.
Life-changing! Maddy M, TripadvisorWhen I had first heard about Cork’s butter museum I wasn’t expecting much, but i was delightfully surprised. The Butter museum is a small but mighty establishment that serves as one of Cork’s most fun and interesting things to do…
Tim McG, TripadvisorWas in Cork for the day and decided I’d go to the museum based on reviews. I really enjoyed it. It was great to learn about the history of butter and all the different contraptions for making butter. Would go again
An Interesting Gem! Sue R, TripadvisorGlad I visited the cute Butter Museum, which presents the history of producing Irish butter. I really enjoyed the film, too. Worth a visit.
Don’t miss it! Keeksdeeks, TripadvisorThis is a genuinely brilliant museum. I learnt loads about the butter industry but also a lot about Irish history. It’s a small museum and only €5 so an easy one to pop into. I would recommend taking the time to visit, it’s different and very informative.
I can’t believe all this butter! Nate S, TripadvisorThis little museum has friendly and knowledgeable staff and material which you can easily learn the history of butter in Ireland. Highly recommend this stop, try to catch their butter making demonstration too!
FAQs
Did you know the Cork Butter Exchangewas once the largest butter market in the world?
Admission prices
Adults: €5.00
Students/Seniors/Concession: €4.00
Children: €2.00
children under 12 free (in a family group)
Groups (10+) by arrangement only
Carers/Accompanying Persons/Companions: free admission
Opening hours
BUTTER MAKING DEMONSTRATIONS
Wednesdays and Saturdays at 12.00
We are a small Museum and can only seat 35 guests for our butter making demonstrations. We cannot offer a pre-payment or booking facility for demonstrations: to increase your chances of a seat, we recommend you arrive early at 11 am or thereabouts, enjoy the Museum self-guided tour and stay for the demonstration. If all seats are taken by 11.45 am or so, we may go ahead with the demonstration. There is always plenty of fresh bread and newly-made butter to sample afterwards even if you missed the demonstration this time!
JANUARY – FEBRUARY: Open Sat 10 – 4 and Sun 11-4 only, closed Monday-Friday
MARCH – APRIL
Wed – Sat 10.00 – 4.00, Sun 11.00 – 4.00, closed Mondays and Tuesdays
MAY – OCTOBER:
Open daily, Mon – Sat 10.00 – 4.00, Sun 11.00 – 4.00
NOVEMBER – DECEMBER:
Wed – Sat 10.00 – 4.00, Sun 11.00 – 4.00, closed Mondays and Tuesdays
OPEN BANK HOLIDAY MONDAYS: 11.00 – 4.00
School tours
Perfect for students, these interactive tours offer insights into traditional butter-making, Irish culture, and local heritage. Fun and educational for all ages!
Butter
View Collection
Wrappers & artefacts
Explore the history and making of butter70 years ago, Ireland had more than 150 distinctive butter brands. However, in the years before the establishment of Bord Bainne and its subsequent launch of Kerrygold, each local creamery wrapped and sold its own butter. Browse our extensive collection of butter wrappers online.
