That's a Sirius investment
A major fundraising campaign to restore one of Ireland’s most architecturally significant buildings has been launched in Cobh.
A €2 million multi-phase restoration of the former clubhouse of the Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC), now the Sirius Arts Centre, aims to return the building to its former glory.
The restoration and conservation project will address the building’s structure, including terrace underpinning and the reinstatement of historic chimneys. It will also deliver a remodelled gallery space, a new artist in residence facility, and a café.
Built in 1854 to house the RCYC, the Italianate-style clubhouse was designed by renowned architect Anthony Salvin, who worked on Windsor Castle, the Tower of London, and several other significant castles and buildings in the UK.
The land for the building was donated by the then RCYC Commodore, James Smith Barry of Fota House. In the 1960s, when the RCYC moved across the harbour to Crosshaven, the building fell derelict and into a state of disrepair.
In the late 1980s, Cobh locals, with the help of American philanthropists William and Joan Roth, gave the building a new life, culminating in the foundation of Sirius Arts Centre to serve as a cultural resource for the Harbour area in 1995.
Through the support of members of the Irish Georgian Society in the United States, funds were successfully raised to reinstate key elements of the Salvin design which had been lost over the decades, namely a central roof lantern and two giant chimney stacks, which make up Phase 1 of the restoration project.
The Irish government, through the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, is supporting Phase 2, which includes the underpinning works to ensure the structure of the building for the future.
Further funds are required to bring Phase 3 to fruition. This phase includes the repurposing of exhibition space, the creation of a feature café, new artist in residence accommodation and studio, and improving accessibility of the building.
Speaking at the launch of the fundraising campaign, Sirius Arts Centre Chairperson, Glen Barry, highlighted the cultural, architectural, and historical significance of the site:
“As stewards of this special building, we want and need to ensure its conservation and restoration now and into the future for all to enjoy. We have had great support internationally for this fundraising campaign, and we really want to engage now with Irish benefactors and the community in our Region to support this important work.”