“Our moment is now here.”

Excitement is building in Bantry after an architect was chosen to lead the design for the development of a world-class Music Centre for West Cork Music.

Dublin-based McCullough Mulvin Architects has been appointed as the architect for the project. Selected through a rigorous public procurement process, managed by Andrew P. Nugent & Associates over the last year, the firm will lead an experienced design team, to include O’Connor Sutton Cronin (Structural and Civil Engineering), and Cork-based Coakley O’Neill Town Planning (Planning Consultant), among other experts.

A non-profit arts organisation, founded in 1995, West Cork Music presents three international festivals – the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, West Cork Literary Festival and Masters of Tradition.

“For a long time, we have realised that musicians and other artists need a physical space where they can develop their ideas, spaces where tuition, workshops, masterclasses and performances can take place all year round,” said Francis Humphrys, CEO, of West Cork Music.

“More than that, the festivals need a dedicated home to guarantee their future.

“For so many years, we wondered if this would remain nothing but a dream. But the time has arrived and our moment is now here. This project has already begun to capture the imagination of the people of West Cork and those from farther afield who have come to love this magical place.

“We look forward to building even more momentum and creating something special for generations to come,” added Humphrys.

Valerie Mulvin, Director of McCullough Mulvin Architects, said the opportunity to work with an arts organisation as celebrated as West Cork Music is “hugely exciting”.

Francis Humphrys, Director of West Cork Chamber Music Festival, and Eimear O’Herlihy, Director of West Cork Literary Festival.

“We’re looking forward to delivering a project that is essentially of West Cork, respecting the grain of the town and generating a significant new public place while making a strong contribution to Ireland’s cultural infrastructure,” Mulvin said.

Want to know more?

A Community Information Evening about the project, hosted by West Cork Music and McCullough Mulvin Architects, will be held in September in Bantry. Further details will be announced in late summer. In the meantime, members of the community are welcome to call into one of the upcoming Drop-in Days, when West Cork Music staff will be on hand to share information about the project.

Drop-in Days are scheduled for Friday, June 30th and Saturday, July 1st, 10am-11am and 12pm-2pm under the marquee tent outside St Brendan’s Church, Bantry. No appointment is necessary and all are welcome.