Crawford Observatory, Astronomical observatory at University College Cork, Ireland

Crawford Observatory stands on the campus of University College Cork, built in 1878 to house three instruments: a Thomas Grubb equatorial telescope with an 8-inch (20.3 cm) objective, a transit telescope and a siderostatic telescope. The equatorial room received a new openable roof in the 2006 renovation.

Crawford Observatory was built in 1878 on the campus of University College Cork, paid for in part by a £1,000 donation from William Crawford of the Beamish and Crawford brewing company. Its Grubb equatorial telescope won a gold medal at the 1878 Paris Exposition Universelle. Rising light pollution in Cork city led to decades of disuse until a €500,000 government-led renovation reopened it in 2006.

The building displays Gothic architectural elements, making it one of the few scientific structures designed in this historical style on the island.

The observatory is not usually open for drop-in visits, but guided tours are scheduled during special events such as Cork Heritage Week. Access is arranged through the university, so planning ahead is recommended to confirm availability.

The Grubb equatorial telescope won a gold medal at the 1878 Paris Exposition Universelle, and the instrument was later pictured in Grubb catalogues. Its objective aperture measures 8 inches (20.3 cm).