There has been a long history of both theatre and opera in Cork. An excellent history is presented in Susan Reagan's book Music & Society in Cork 1700 – 1800 published by Cork University Press.
For many years the Cork Opera House, originally built in 1855, was the home of both
For many years the Cork Opera House, originally built in 1855, was the home of both
opera & theatre. The site was adjacent to the Royal Cork Institution, now the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery. The building was designed by Sir John Benson and the contract for construction was given to one William Brash, a local builder, the design for the great hall used during
the Cork Exhibition provided a template for the new opera which was originally called 'The Athenaeum', and which was finished by early 1855. It hosted its first performance on 29 January 1855, a concert in aid of the Blind Asylum.
The official opening of the building took place
The official opening of the building took place
on 23 May 1855 and was conducted by the Lord Lieutenant, George Frederick Howard, the 7th Earl of Carlisle. Nationalist members of the Cork Corporation had protested against the choice of the Lord Lieutenant to perform the official opening.
The Athenaeum was renamed "The Munster
The Athenaeum was renamed "The Munster
Hall" in 1875 and renamed "Cork Opera House" in 1877 after extensive reconstruction. It became one of the most popular venues in Cork city and hosted touring opera companies, including the Carl Rosa and Moody Manners companies and some of Ireland's best-known actors.
Having
Having
survived the burning of much of Cork city centre by British armed forces in 1920 on 11/12 December 1920, 99 years ago today, on 12 December 1955, it was 64 years ago today on 12 December 1955 that due to a fire caused by a combination of defective old wiring & the widespread use
of wooden materials throughout the building that the Opera House was burned down, in its centenary year. Every available member of the Cork Fire Brigade was called out but the fire raged through the 100-year-old largely wooden building and over the course of three hours reduced
it to a smouldering heap.
Even though Cork had until then boasted the presence of a proper theatre in some form for over 250 years, it was not until 1963 that the Opera House was rebuilt fully and was officially opened by President Eamon de Valera on 31 October 1965.
Even though Cork had until then boasted the presence of a proper theatre in some form for over 250 years, it was not until 1963 that the Opera House was rebuilt fully and was officially opened by President Eamon de Valera on 31 October 1965.
