Much investment needed at St Luke's says City Hall

There are no funds available to carry out refurbishment beyond essential works at St Lukes Church, a city councillor was told this week.

Fine Gael Cllr Joe Kavanagh was informed during Monday’s virtual Cork City Council meeting about the current status and long-term plan for the historical northside building.

Replying to a question from the former lord mayor about St Luke’s Church, Adrienne Rodgers, Director of Services, Community, Culture & Placemaking said: “The building has complex and extensive needs from a conservation point of view and much investment is needed for its continued maintenance. Essential works have been prioritised. Currently the building is temporarily closed to access while we carry out essential repairs to the alarm system.”

She said City Hall currently has consultants in the property to fix the fire alarm which she said was the only reason it was closed at the moment citing health and safety reasons.

“We expect those works will be finished by the end of January,” she said.

St Luke’s Church is a heritage building currently used for arts and cultural purposes. The building, including the rooms in the basement, which is also known as a crypt, is available for hire, free of charge, by cultural groups for events and activities open to the public, and for the creation and rehearsal of new work by artists in all disciplines.

Ms Rodgers added: “We have also recently upgraded the power supply to the building. There are currently no funds available to carry out refurbishment beyond essential works. The long-term plan for the building is to continue its use as a much needed arts and cultural resource and to review the best approach to the ongoing management and maintenance of the venue.”

Application for use of the space is made directly to the Arts Office and use is granted subject to appropriateness of the activities proposed and evidence of appropriate insurances in place which indemnify Cork City Council.