Cork Opera House

Cork Opera House as pictured in the late 19th century

Cork's opera house was originally built in the 1850s to designs by architect John Benson.[5] Intended for the "promotion of science, literature and the fine arts, and the diffusion of architectural knowledge", the building was based on a template that the architect had used for the exhibition buildings at the Irish Industrial Exhibition.[6]

Opened in 1855, this building was originally called "The Athenaeum", and was renamed "The Munster Hall" in 1875. It was renamed as the "Opera House", after extensive reconstruction, in 1877.[1]

While this building survived the Burning of Cork by British forces in 1920, it burned down several decades later in its centenary year of 1955. The fire started on the evening of 12 December 1955, caused by an electrical fault and fueled by wooden materials.[7]

The site remained undeveloped for several years, until the remains of the old building were bulldozed in early 1963 and development on a new theatre commenced.[8] The newly constructed Opera House opened on the same site in 1965.[9]

This 1960s building was designed by Scott Tallon Walker,[10] and was officially opened by then President of Ireland, Éamon de Valera, in October 1965.[6]

In 2000, large-scale renovation works were completed on both the facade of the building and the surrounding Emmett Place.[9] Subsequent works include the development of a new café, updated acoustics and seating.[9]