Take me to Church: A 19th-century Co Cork building given a new lease of life

Colette Sheridan visits Michael Quane and Johanna Connor to see how they've given a 19th-century Co Cork building a new lease of life

Morning sunlight floods the bedroom, located at the altar end of the building, above the kitchen.

ARTIST Johanna Connor will never forget first walking through the door of The Old Church, The Glebe, in Coachford, Co Cork, in 2020.

The Schull native was entering the residence, workspace and gallery of sculptor Michael Quane RHA, who was to become her husband. (The couple met on Instagram.) Connor says: “Basically, I didn’t know what to expect. You see a church on the outside and have no idea of what’s inside. You have a preconceived idea; maybe pink walls, tiles and harvest flowers. But when you come in, you are arrested by this magical kitchen and wonderful spaces and staircases.”