Cork Opera House celebrates 170 years of entertainment this year.

And if the venue has a special place in your memories, they’ve launched a project inviting Cork’s public and Corkonians further afield to share their personal connections to the place.

The ‘Send It Home’ campaign is a global celebration of Cork’s iconic venue. Sponsored by Pure Cork and Fáilte Ireland, this initiative is a key feature of a year-long anniversary program filled with events, activations, incentives, and promotional activities that honour Cork Opera House’s enduring place in Cork’s history and community.

Through contributions of memorabilia, stories and experiences, this campaign aims to build a rich collection to contribute towards Cork Opera House’s history and celebrate the stories to connect generations.

The Cork Opera House invites you to dust off your attic treasures and contribute to this extraordinary celebration by sharing:

• Programmes and posters from past performances.
• Photographs or videos of the venue, performances, or audience experiences.
• Letters or diaries mentioning visits to the Opera House.
• Costumes or props from productions held at the venue.
• Personal anecdotes, experiences or interviews about your connection to Cork Opera House.

“Every ticket, photograph, poster, and prop has a story,” says Cork Opera House’s CEO Eibhlin Gleeson.

“Your memories connect generations and bring life to Cork Opera House’s history. Whether it’s from Granny or Grandad’s attic, local schools, or Irish communities abroad, let’s bring Cork Opera House’s history home.”

How do I get involved? 

The focal points of this historical project will revolve around a Drop-Off Weekend on Sunday, May 25th (10am to 1pm), where Cork’s public are invited to bring memorabilia, including programmes, posters, photographs, letters, and any other historical items related to the Opera House, and share their stories and memories of times they have spent and shows they have seen or participated in at the venue.

For more information about the ‘Send It Home’ campaign, or to contribute your memorabilia and stories, visit corkoperahouse.ie/sendithome or contact sendithome@corkoperahouse.ie or call 021 427 0022.
The deadline for submissions is July 1st 2025, and contributions can be delivered to Cork Opera House’s foyer at Emmet Place, Cork city, T12DW6P.