Fundraiser launched for €2m restoration of Cork waterfront arts building

The Sirius Arts Centre building in Cobh has undergone the first phase of its restoration, but further funding is required for the final phase

The Sirius Arts Centre was designed in Italianate-style by the renowned architect, Anthony Salvin, who worked for the British royal family on Windsor Castle, the Tower of London and several other significant castles and buildings in the UK. Photo: Darragh Kane

A major campaign has been launched to help fund the ambitious €2m restoration and re-imagination of an historic waterfront arts building in Cork Harbour once home to the world’s oldest yacht club.

Steeped in maritime history, the landmark and architecturally significant Sirius Arts Centre building in Cobh was built in 1854 to house the Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC), founded in 1720 and originally based on Haulbowline Island.

The land for the building was donated by the then RCYC Commodore, James Smith Barry of Fota House and the building itself, in Italianate-style, was designed by his friend, the renowned architect, Anthony Salvin, who worked for the British royal family on Windsor Castle, the Tower of London and several other significant castles and buildings in the UK.

While the exterior walls were fixed, internal structural damage was caused to the centre's substructure, which needs to be underpinned. Photo: Darragh Kane

But when the RCYC moved across the harbour in the 1960s to its current base in Crosshaven, the building fell derelict and then into a state of disrepair. It was bought by UCC for a maritime research centre but that project never came to fruition.

However, in the late 1980s, thanks to former director of the Crawford Art Gallery, Peter Murray, and a number of concerned locals, the Sirius Commemoration was established, and in 1988, they successfully bought the building.

An artist's impression of the new cafe in the Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh, Cork, which will sit beneath the restored roof lantern.

Thanks to the generosity of American philanthropists, William and Joan Roth, the building was given a new life which led to the foundation of the Sirius Arts Centre in 1995.

But the building requires significant restoration and conservation, including the underpinning of its waterfront terrace, the re-instatement of its historic chimneys, lead roofing and distinctive roof lantern, as well as the re-modelling of its gallery space, and the creation of a new artist-in-residence facility and a café.

The building requires significant restoration and conservation, including the re-instatement of its historic chimneys. Photo: Darragh Kane

The underpinning work is required to repair structural damage caused after a ship, the MV Steam Fisher, ran into the property in December 1959, causing serious damage to its quayside substructure and side walls.

While the exterior walls were fixed, internal structural damage was caused to its substructure, which needs to be underpinned.

Through the support of Irish Georgian Society members in the US, funds were raised for the first phase of the restoration, the re-instatement a central roof lantern and two giant chimney stacks, key elements of the Salvin design which had been lost over the years.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, is supporting the second phase, which will include the underpinning works.

But further funding is required for phase three — the re-purposing of exhibition space, the creation of a café, new artist-in-residence accommodation and studio, and improved access for all.

A stunning four-walled mural in the centre gallery, by the influential Irish artist Brian O'Doherty, who died in 2022, has been restored and will be unveiled as part of the final phase of the project.

(Left to right) Simon Coveney TD, Glen Barry, Chair of Sirius Arts Centre and Alexander Downes, Director Lambstongue inspecting some of the restoration work taking place at the Sirius Arts Centre. Photo: Darragh Kane

Glen Barry, the chairperson of the Sirius Arts Centre, said: “As stewards of this special building, we want and need to ensure its conservation and restoration now and into the future for all to enjoy.

“We have had great support internationally for this fundraising campaign, and we really want to engage now with Irish benefactors and the community in our region to support this important work.” 

Sir David Davies, the president of the Irish Georgian Society, said the restoration has generated huge interest with society members, especially those in the US.

The underpinning work is required to repair structural damage caused after a ship, the MV Steam Fisher, ran into the property in December 1959, causing serious damage to its quayside substructure and side walls. Photo: Darragh Kane

“It prompted a most enthusiastic and generous response at fundraising events held in New York, Chicago, Boston and Palm Beach, with supporters in Ireland also proving very generous," he said.

“A central role of the Irish Georgian Society is the conservation of Ireland’s built heritage and that its support for the Sirius Arts Centre was driven by a wish to revitalise one of Ireland’s most magnificent maritime buildings.” 

Speaking from the US, John McNamee Sullivan Jr, chairman of the Irish Georgian Society, said it was “a privilege” for Irish Georgians in America to have been able to raise money to help deliver phase one.

(Left to right) Dr Tom McCarthy, Chair of the Sirius Arts Centre Restoration Project, Allison and Avery Bourke, Irish Georgian Society, Nonie Sullivan and John McNamee Sullivan Jnr, Chair of the Irish Georgian Societyin the Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh. Photo: Darragh Kane

“It is especially rewarding to be an important part of the restoration of such a fine example of architecture, housing the world’s oldest yacht club in Cobh from where so many of our ancestors embarked on their journey to the United States,” he said.

“Cobh is a town of huge historic and maritime significance; the unique connections between Ireland and the Irish diaspora abound here.

“The Sirius Arts Centre intertwines Irish, British and US relations, past and present, in an exceptional way. This special building, overlooking Cork Harbour, is a treasure re-imagined through the centuries.” 

Donors, Irish Georgian society members and Sirius Arts Centre team board members on a tour of Cobh Harbour to view the work at the centre.

Dr Tom McCarthy of McCarthy Developments, and chairperson of the restoration project, said there is enormous potential to create an exciting new future for the building.

Donations can be made at online or by contacting Sirius Arts Centre directly.