/
1x
Advertisement
Proudly Canadian, obsessively Toronto. Subscribe to Toronto Life!
Food & Drink

I live at Richmond East and Sherbourne. Why is my neighbourhood called Corktown?

By Toronto Life
Copy link

I live at Richmond East and Sherbourne. Why is my neighbourhood called Corktown?—Terri Thomas, Corktown

In the latter half of the 19th century, Toronto was frequently referred to as the Belfast of Canada. More than a third of the city’s residents were Irish (both Protestant and Catholic), and most of them middle class. But the residents of Corktown were an altogether rowdier bunch—tough working-class immigrants from County Cork (of Blarney Stone fame) in the southwest. Local cops—a beefy corps who, according to one historical report, “could hold their own in a rough-and-tumble mix-up”—referred to the Corktown beat as the city’s “liveliest.” Some of the original workers’ cottages can still be seen in the area, as well as old Corktown’s pretty Italianate church, St. Paul’s, a daintily frescoed haven in a gritty part of town.

NEVER MISS A TORONTO LIFE STORY

Sign up for Table Talk, our free newsletter with essential food and drink stories.

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
You may unsubscribe at any time.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Big Stories

Inside the rise and fall of the Vaulter Bandit, the 21st century’s most notorious bank robber
Deep Dives

Inside the rise and fall of the Vaulter Bandit, the 21st century’s most notorious bank robber

Inside the Latest Issue

The June issue of Toronto Life features our annual ranking of the best new restaurants. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.