Order which owns Cork's St Augustine's Church describes its closure as 'akin to a death'

The church’s closure will bring to an end the order’s presence in Cork, which dates back 755 years to the foundation of Red Abbey in the South Parish.

The extension of St Augustines Church under construction on Cork's Washington Street in 1939. Picture: Irish Examiner Archive.

The decision to close one of Cork city centre’s best-known Catholic churches has been described by the head of the religious order which owns the building as “akin to a death”.

Parishioners at St Augustine’s Church, which is located at the corner of Washington St and the Grand Parade, were informed on Saturday afternoon that the church will close permanently later this year.