Cork Public Museum to get a birthday facelift

Ireland’s oldest local authority museum, Cork Public Museum it is set to get an 80th anniversary facelift.

Cork’s first public museum, the Fitzgerald Park Municipal Museum operated between 1910 and 1924, before the 1920 burning of City Hall during the War of Independence meant the 19th century building became the city’s municipal headquarters until the rebuilt City Hall opened in 1936.

Since opening in 1945, the museum has amassed a collection of approximately 60,000 objects that cover about 7,000 years of human habitation in Cork, from pre-history to modern times.

In recent decades, a new state of the art extension was added, allowing the facility to expand its capacity to increase research, training and visitor facilities.

Since 2016, the museum has improved its collection management systems, online engagement, and public profile.

The museum attracts about 60,000 visitors annually, and now, on the 80th anniversary of its official opening, it will undergo works that will see the roof and external render of the building removed and refurbished.

Dan Breen, the museum’s curator, said the planned refurbishment would have a positive impact on the future development of the museum, securing the exterior of the building.

“We have big plans for the future of Cork Public Museum, but none of these would be possible without this important structural work”.

The renovation work will be carried out by HG Construction (Ire) Ltd, in conjunction with JCA Architects and the city architect.

The work is funded by Cork City Council, with additional funding provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The renovation works are due to be carried out throughout spring and summer of this year.