Fundraising campaign launched to restore world's oldest yacht clubhouse in Cork

A major fundraising campaign has been launched to restore the world's oldest yacht clubhouse in County Cork. 

The former clubhouse of the Royal Cork Yacht Club, now home to the Sirius Arts Centre, was built in Cobbh in 1854 but fell into disrepair when the yacht club moved across Cork Harbour to Crosshaven in the 1960s. 

In the 1980s, a group of Cobh locals led by Peter Murray founded Sirius Commemoration to breathe new life into the building, with the help of American philanthropists William and Joan Roth. 

Those efforts eventually led to the creation of the Sirius Arts Centre in 1995, which was supported by the Irish Georgian Society in the United States. 

Fundraising efforts helped to reinstate key elements of the buildings Salvin design, including a central roof lantern and two giant chimney stacks. 

The Irish Government is supporting Phase 2 of the restoration project, which includes the underpinning works to ensure the structure of the building for the future. 

However, further funds are required for Phase 3 of the clubhouse's restoration, which will repurpose the building's exhibition space, create a new cafe, and create a new artist-in-residence studio and accommodation. 

Phase 3 will also improve accessibility at the building, with the cost of the multi-phased restoration estimated to be €2 million. 

Glen Barry, chairperson of the Sirius Arts Centre, said the former clubhouse was an "important architectural and historic site" for the region as well as serving as an important cultural institution that facilitated artist expression. 

"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," Barry said.

"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." 

Sir David Davies, President of the Irish Georgian Society, said the restoration of the former clubhouse has generated "huge interest" among the society's members. 

"It prompted a most enthusiastic and generous response at fundraising events held in New York, Chicago, Boston and Palm Beach, with supporters in Ireland also proving very generous," Davies said. 

To find out more or to donate to the fundraising campaign, click here.