Co Cork cultural centre damaged in fire begins recruiting ahead of May reopening

Macroom's Briery Gap needs an operations and finance manager and a technical manager

How the Briery Gap in Macroom, Co Cork, will look when it opens in May.

Recruitment is under way for a cultural centre in Macroom, Co Cork, due to reopen next year.

The Briery Gap is scheduled to open in May for the first time since it was extensively damaged by a fire in May 2016.

Demolition works at the venue got under way in the first quarter of 2022 to make way for the rebuilding project.

Now, an operations and finance manager, and a technical manager are sought.

Artistic director Mike Ryan took up his position in September.

The new centre will incorporate an arts theatre, cinema, and live music venue in the centre of the mid-Cork town.

The local library will be located on the ground floor, returning to the site after operating on Railway View in recent years, following the 2016 blaze.

The Briery Gap burned down in 2016.

Local independent councillor Martin Coughlan was among a group of local county councillors who recently received a tour of the building.

He said: “It is fantastic to see it progressing. It has been a big loss to the town of Macroom over the last number of years. 

"It is coming along nicely and it will be handed over to Cork County Council early in the new year.” 

A board has been appointed to oversee the running of the centre when it reopens. 

The project was undertaken by Cumnor Construction.

The centre is on the site of the town’s former Palace Cinema, which closed in the 1980s. 

The building was purchased by Cork County Council which went on to develop the Briery Gap at the location.

The Briery Gap was opened in 2000 and incorporated a 200-seat theatre and library, as well as a cinema. 

It had been refurbished just three years before the 2016 fire.