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Sirius Arts Centre - History of the Building

This magnificent Italianate building was designed by Anthony Salvin and built in 1854 by James Smith Barry of Fota for the Royal Cork Yacht Club. The Royal Cork was founded in 1720 on Haulbowline island and is probably the oldest yacht club in the world.

Architect's Original Folio

          
                             Sirius Arts Centre today - 150 years later!           Original Seal of the RCYC on the balcony                             

Anthony Salvin (1799-1881) was a distinguished English architect. Much of his work was medieval in style and he referred to a variety of periods. He was an expert in fortified architecture and was involved in the restoration of many castles including the Tower of London and Windsor Castle. Salvin was elected a fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1836, became vice-president in 1839 and in 1863 the Institute conferred it's gold medal on him.

Though his practice was wide and included designing the clubhouse at Cowes, this building in Cobh is the only example of his work in Ireland. The combination of its beauty, position and special yachting associations gives the Old Yacht Club a unique significance in our heritage.

  The Royal Cork Yacht Club circa 1900

The building served as the home of the Royal Cork Yacht Club for over a century until its move to Crosshaven for better moorings. It was sold to University College Cork in 1969. UCC intended to establish a marine research centre, but this plan was never realised and over the following twenty years the building fell into disrepair and became derelict. Many organisations showed interest but were discouraged by the estimated costs of the restoration.

    1988 - before restoration began

In 1988 the Old Yacht Club was purchased by Sirius Commemoration Ltd., formed to buy and restore it and develop activities suitable to the building. Fundraising commenced at once and within two years enough had been raised for restoration to begin.

These funds were exhausted in 1995, but by then important initial work had been carried out including

• Restoration of the East wing and is now leased to Cobh & Harbour Chamber of Commerce .
• The Centre and West Galleries were restored and now host a year round programme of  exhibitions, seminars, music concerts and community activities.
• The west side basement at garden level was converted to an apartment for the artist in residence programme which has been recognised internationally.

West Gallery 1997

In 2004 an engineering assessment of the state of the building has shown it to be in urgent need of further restorative works.  To this end the Board of Directors for the Sirius Arts Centre have drafted a long term plan. 

Emergency works to the foundation and underpinning of the building were carried out at the end of 2004 with the support of the Heritage Council, Cork County Council, the Department of Environment (through the National Development Plan), Cobh Urban District Council and fundraising by through programmed events. Further work to restore the precious mosaic on the balcony of the building (with the Royal Cork Yacht Club Symbol at its centre) was completed in 2006.  Works to the currently derelict East Wing have begun with expected completion in 2010.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! - If you'd like to contribute funds to Sirius Arts Centre to aid in the continued restoration of this important part of Ireland's architectural heritage please contact the administrator at (021) 481 3790 or via email at: cobharts@iol.ie

To the Sirius Arts Centre