"Celebrate the remarkable journey of one of Cork's most iconic institutions," The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Fergal Dennehy said at the launch of the Send it home exhibition in Cork.
Theatre programmes dating as far back as 1909, a plaque pulled from the rubble after the fire at the Cork Opera House in 1955, and pantomime scripts and photos of the Cork Opera house's history are just some of the items on display in the new exhibition of memorabilia, hosted at the Library on Grand Parade.
Cork Opera House launched a campaign earlier this year, as part of its 170th anniversary celebrations, inviting the public to share their artefacts, personal stories and treasured memories of the theatre.
Eibhlín Gleeson, CEO and Artistic Director, Cork Opera House and David O’Brien,
Cork City Librarian, at the launch of the Send it Home exhibition at Cork City Library
The response was described as "overwhelming," with more than 1,300 individual pieces contributed, forming the foundation of the new Cork Opera House archive.
A curated selection of these items offers a rare glimpse into 170 years of cultural history, illuminating the Opera House’s role in shaping Cork’s artistic landscape.
David O’Brien, Cork City Librarian who collaborated with the Opera House, said that it was"exciting and gratifying" to be involved in this project.
"Witnessing the interest from members of the public across our community speaks of the fondness and pride people have in their Opera House", Mr O'Brien added.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Fergal Dennehy, said that the campaign was a "testament to the power of storytelling and community,"adding that it "beautifully captures this spirit, reminding us that the Opera House is not just a building — it is a shared experience, a cherished tradition, and a symbol of Cork’s artistic soul.
present on the night in 1955 that Cork Opera House was destroyed by fire,
only to reopen on October 31, 1965, 60 years to the day of the exhibition’s opening
"We have had a wonderful year hearing stories and gathering memorabilia and we hope everyone will come and experience it," the Mayor said.
David O’Brien, Cork City Librarian, said: "It is exciting and gratifying," adding that "witnessing the interest from across the community speaks of the fondness and pride people have in their Opera House."
CEO & Artistic Director Eibhlín Gleeson said that the exhibition "celebrates what Cork Opera House has meant to the city for the last 170 years. "
Ms Gleeson explained that every item on display had been "gifted by someone with a personal connection to our theatre, reinforcing the sentiment that Cork Opera House truly belongs to the people of Cork."
Running across the month of November, the exhibition is part of the 170th anniversary celebrations at Cork Opera House.
Send It Home runs until the end of November at Cork City Library, Grand Parade
Photography: Gerard McCarthy
