Sirius Arts Centre

Sirius Arts Centre's programmes cover all art forms such as visual, live performances, film, sound, vocal, written and born digital, as well as learning and outreach initiatives. The programme consists of exhibitions, performances, events, activities, residencies and publications. They are delivered onsite and offsite, in Cobh, and also online.

Sirius Arts Centre focuses on visual arts, following its original mission. It creates both focused, artist driven projects and collaborative, community oriented projects. Sirius Arts Centre often instigates the projects, based on local impact, topicality, urgency, contribution to discourse and contribution to artform development.

Sirius Arts Centre enables meaningful audience experiences through participation and a focus on interpretation.

Sirius Arts Centre occupies the building that served as the headquarters of the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Cobh between 1854 and 1966. This building is of architectural, historical and artistic significance. The building was designed by the English architect Anthony Salvin and built by James Smith Barry of Fota in 1854. Salvin was a distinguished practitioner and an expert in fortified architecture, having been involved in the restoration of many edifices, including the Tower of London and Windsor Castle. ‘The Old Yacht Club’, now Sirius Arts Centre, is the only example of his work in Ireland.

Sirius Arts Centre is the home of a mural by key Irish artist Brian O’Doherty, commissioned in 1996. The work was walled off in that same year and remained that way until 2018, when it was restored and showcased for a year as part of a series of exhibitions and performances. The work has since then been walled off again, for conservation reasons. While invisible, the work is a fundamental part of the building’s fabric.