Skiddy's Almshouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Skiddy's Almshouse |
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The Arcade
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Church of Ireland |
| Location | |
| Location | Shandon, Cork, County Cork, Ireland |
 Location in Ireland
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| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Frank Murphy (architect) Restoration 1975 |
| Founder | Stephen Skiddy |
| Completed | 1719 |
Skiddy's Almshouse is the oldest building in the city of Cork where people still live. It was built a long time ago, between 1718 and 1719.
An almshouse is a special building that provides homes for people who need help, often those who are poor or elderly. Skiddy's Almshouse was created to help the poor people of Cork, no matter if they were Catholic or Church of Ireland.
What is Skiddy's Almshouse?
Skiddy's Almshouse is a historic building in Cork, Ireland. It was built to provide homes for people who needed a place to live. It is special because it is the oldest building in Cork that is still used as homes today.
How It Started
The idea for the almshouse came from a man named Stephen Skiddy. He left money in his will (a legal document about what happens to your money after you die) to build homes for the poor. This was called a "bequest."
The first almshouse was built near the North Gate Bridge. But people complained it was too small and didn't have enough fresh air. So, a new and better building was started in 1718.
Stephen Skiddy's plan for helping people continued for many years. An annual payment (money paid every year) from his will started in 1606, after his wife passed away. This payment is still made today by a group called The Vintners Federation in London. Another person, Roger Bettridge, also left money in his will in 1717 to help fund the almshouse.
Location and Design
The almshouse was built on a corner of an old churchyard called Saint Mary's. It used to be part of a bigger area that included other buildings, like the Green Coat Hospital and School. However, those other buildings were taken down in the 1950s.
The almshouse itself is shaped like the letter "L." It has a stone archway, which is like a covered walkway, and is surrounded by a ten-foot-high wall with a large iron gate. In 2011, about 15 people were living there.
Saving the Building
In the 1960s, Skiddy's Almshouse was almost torn down. But a group called the Cork Preservation Society stepped in to save it. They worked to restore the building, making it look new again while keeping its old charm.
The architect Frank Murphy led this restoration project, which was finished in 1975. His work was so good that he won an award for it. Later, in 2000, the Cork Preservation Society sold the almshouse to a company that helps with social housing. Another restoration project was completed in 2005.
Skiddy's Almshouse is now one of the very few buildings left in Cork from the 1700s that was built to help people. It stands as an important part of Cork's history.
