In the 1500's Cork had a lot of trade with the city of Bristol in England. The Bristol coat of arms had one tower and the cork coat of arms showed 2 towers connected by a bridge with a ship in between it was meant to show the close connection between the 2 cities.

50 years later the bridge disappeared as did the figures on the ships rigging. It is beleived that two towers represent the King's and Queen's casltes which stood at the entrance to the watergate. Ships passed between the two castles to unload in the city. The watergate, made of wood and iron, could be closed quickly in times of trouble.

The inscription 'Statio Bene Fide Carinis' is taken from Virgil's Aeneid and is commonly translated as a 'Safe Harbour for Ships'.