Public museum marks 80 years of celebrating Cork's unique heritage

Cork City Hall held a civic reception hosted by the lord mayor on Wednesday to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Cork Public Museum.

Founded on April 4, 1945, Cork Public Museum is Ireland’s oldest local authority museum. Its establishment was the result of a collaboration between University College Cork, Cork Corporation, and Cork County Council.

Under the original agreement, Cork Corporation provided the building, UCC appointed and managed the curator, and Cork County Council contributed annual funding.

This arrangement continued until 1963, when Cork Corporation assumed full management of the museum.

The museum’s home, Shrubbery House in Fitzgerald Park, was built around 1845 by Charles Beamish, of the Beamish brewing family. 

The building has served many roles, from a convent for the Bon Secour nuns in the 1860s to hosting King Edward VII in 1903, and later becoming the temporary seat of municipal affairs after the burning of City Hall in 1920.

Unique History

Today, it houses approximately 60,000 objects revealing Cork’s unique history.

A major refurbishment of the building was completed this month, funded primarily by Cork City Council with additional support from the Department of Housing’s Historic Structures Fund.

In 2005, an extension was added to accommodate expanded exhibition space. It earned full accreditation in the Museum Standards Programme for Ireland in 2023 from the Heritage Council.

Wednesday’s reception paid tribute to the museum’s five curators MJ O’Kelly, Seamus Ó Coigligh, Aodh O’Tuama, Stella Cherry, and current curator Dan Breen, as well as the staff and volunteers, many of whom were in attendance.

Living institution

The museum team has grown in recent years to include an education officer, collections and documentation officer, digital officers, and new museum attendants, bringing the total staff to eight.

Speaking at the event, Lord Mayor Fergal Dennehy said: “Cork Public Museum is not just a building filled with artefacts, it is a living institution that tells the story of our city and its people. 

"For 80 years, it has stood as a beacon of education, preservation, and civic pride. We honour the legacy of those who built it, sustained it, and continue to shape its future.”

The civic reception concluded with a renewed commitment to support Cork Public Museum as it continues to serve the people of Cork for generations to come.