Midleton just got one of its most iconic features back.

Sitting proudly over Main Street for more than 200 years, the cupola on Midleton Library has finally been restored to its former glory after taking a serious hit during a storm back in 2021.

If you’ve passed through the town lately, you’ve probably already spotted it looking a whole lot fresher.

The building itself has serious history. Originally commissioned by Sir St John Brodrick in 1670, it started life as the town hall and market house before getting a major glow-up in 1789. That redesign—by architect John Morrison—gave it the Italianate style you still see today, built in rough limestone and later transformed into the public library.

Fast forward to recent years, and things weren’t looking quite as pretty. Storm damage left the cupola in need of urgent stabilisation, and for a while it was a case of holding things together before proper restoration could even begin.

But now, after plenty of careful heritage work, the whole lot has been brought back to life. The clock is ticking again, the bell is back in place, and the weathervane is once again doing its thing above the town.

The project was backed by The Heritage Council through the Historic Towns Initiative, along with Cork County Council, and it also stands as a bit of a legacy piece for the late Cllr Noel Collins, who had long pushed to see the cupola fully restored.

And they’re not stopping there. While the outside is now looking sharp, more upgrades are on the way inside, including repainting, new flooring, and the addition of a public toilet—small but very welcome news for anyone who’s ever been caught short in town.

So next time you’re in Midleton, it’s well worth looking up.