Cork Opera House appeals for memorabilia to help it mark its 170th birthday

The venue has put out a public appeal for programmes, posters, photos and more as part of its 'Send It Home' campaign

Cork Opera House chief executive Eibhlín Gleeson and flymaster Billy Moore. As the venue prepares to celebrate its 170th anniversary, the Opera House has put out an appeal for memorabilia. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan/OSM

Cork Opera House has issued a global appeal for memorabilia associated with it over the decades to take centre stage as it prepares to celebrate its 170th anniversary.

It has invited people around the world to dust off their Opera House-related attic treasures and share them with the venue as part of its Send It Home public engagement project, which could end up playing a starring role in the celebrations. It is looking specifically for:

• Programmes and posters from past performances;
• Photographs or videos of the venue, performances, or audience experiences;
• Letters or diaries mentioning visits to the Opera House;
• Costumes or props from productions staged at the venue;
• Personal anecdotes, experiences or interviews about connections to the venue.

“Every ticket, photograph, poster, and prop has a story,” the venue’s chief executive officer, Eibhlín Gleeson said.

“Your memories connect generations and bring life to Cork Opera House’s history.

“Whether it’s from granny or grandad’s attic, local schools, or Irish communities abroad, let’s bring Cork Opera House’s history home.”

Dizzy Gillespie in full flight at Cork Opera House during the 1990 Cork Jazz Festival. Picture: Eddie O'Hare/Irish Examiner Archive

Two drop-off weekends will be held in May to facilitate anyone who wants to bring their Opera House memorabilia along, or to share their stories and memories of times they have spent at the venue, or shows they have seen or participated in there.

Head of Ireland’s Ancient East, Fáilte Ireland’s Brian O’Flynn, said Cork is an important part of Ireland’s Ancient East.

“Unique festivals and events play a key role in motivating visitors to choose a destination, while helping drive economic benefits for local businesses in the county and wider region,” he said.

The Send It Home campaign highlights Cork Opera House’s position as one of the region’s key cultural attractions, and the fantastic events it has hosted over the past 170 years. 

The drop off weekends for memorabilia take place on Sunday May 11 and Sunday May 25, between 10am and 1pm on both days.

Meanwhile, planning continues for a gala black-tie concert in the Opera Houseon March 22 to celebrate the 170th anniversary.

The show will feature a line up of some of Ireland’s finest artists including West End musical theatre stars Killian Donnelly and Claire O’Leary, beloved Cork Soprano Majella Cullagh, singers Rachel Croash, Emma Nash, Laoise Leahy, Rory Dunne and Precious Abimbola, alongside a host of well-known actors and performers including Michael Grennell and Dylan Howe.

A Cork Operatic Society production of 'The Country Girl' at Cork Opera House in April 1946. Picture: Irish Examiner Archive 

The gala evening will mark 170 years of the Opera House through music, opera, comedy, theatre and dance, paying tribute to and celebrating the artists who have contributed significantly to the success of the venue.

Cork City Ballet will perform Le Corsaire while all performers will be supported by the Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra, conducted by John O’Brien.

You can get tickets for the gala concert on the Opera House website, and you can get more information about the Send It Home campaign, and about how to contribute your memorabilia and stories, at CorkOperaHouse.ie. 

The deadline for submissions is July 1 and contributions can also be delivered to the foyer of the Opera House at Emmet Place, Cork.

The Opera House began its life as The Athenaeum when it was developed on Anglesea Street to house the National Exhibition in the mid 1850s. That structure was deconstructed, rebuilt on Emmet Place and renamed the Cork Opera House.

Gutted by fire in December 1955, the venue was rebuilt and reopened in 1965. The modern facade was completed in 2000.