Cork Opera House facts for kids
Cork Opera House in 2017
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| Former names | Athenaeum (1855–1875) The Munster Hall (1875–1877) |
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| Address | Emmett Place Cork Ireland |
| Coordinates | 51°54′01″N 8°28′21″W / 51.9003°N 8.4726°W |
| Capacity | ~1,000 (main auditorium) |
| Current use | Theatre, music, film and comedy venue |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1855 |
| Rebuilt | 1965 |
| Years active | 1855–1955, 1965–present |
| Architect | Scott Tallon Walker (1963 Building) Murray Ó Laoire (2000 Facade) |
The Cork Opera House is a famous theatre in Cork, Ireland. It is a place where people can watch many different kinds of shows. The very first building opened way back in 1855. It was located on Emmet Place, behind the Crawford Art Gallery.
Sadly, the original building was destroyed by a big fire in 1955. A new and modern theatre was built in its place. It opened its doors in 1965. Today, the Cork Opera House has about 1,000 seats. It hosts lots of exciting events every year. These include theatre plays, music concerts, opera shows, and comedy acts.
Contents
History of the Opera House
The First Building (1855–1955)
The first Cork Opera House was built in the 1850s. It was designed by an architect named John Benson. He wanted the building to help people learn about science, literature, and art. The design was similar to buildings he made for a big exhibition in Ireland.
When it first opened in 1855, it was called "The Athenaeum." Later, in 1875, its name changed to "The Munster Hall." After some major updates in 1877, it finally became known as the "Opera House."
The building was updated again in 1908 by architect Arthur Hill. The Opera House survived a big fire in Cork in 1920. However, it burned down many years later in 1955. This was exactly 100 years after it first opened. The fire started on December 12, 1955, because of an electrical problem. Wooden parts of the building helped the fire spread quickly.
Building a New Opera House (1963–Present)
After the fire, the site where the Opera House stood was empty for several years. In early 1963, the remains of the old building were cleared away. Work then began on building a brand new theatre. The new Cork Opera House opened on the same spot in 1965.
This new building from the 1960s was designed by a company called Scott Tallon Walker. The President of Ireland at the time, Éamon de Valera, officially opened it in October 1965.
In the year 2000, the Opera House got a big makeover. The outside of the building and the area around it were improved. Later, a new café was added. The sound system and seating were also updated to make shows even better for visitors.
What Happens at the Opera House
The Cork Opera House has always been a place for more than just opera. It hosts a wide variety of performances. You can see theatre plays, live music, dance shows, and comedy acts there.
In 2015, the main auditorium, which seats 1,000 people, held 276 performances. These included 108 different events. There is also a smaller venue called the Half Moon Theatre. It has 100 seats and is located behind the main Opera House. In the same year, the Half Moon Theatre hosted 77 performances of 29 different events.
See also
In Spanish: Cork Opera House para niños
