Firkin Crane

Reference Code: IE 2135 N18

Title: The Firkin Crane Papers

Dates of Creation: 1991-2007

Level of Description: Fonds

Extent and Medium: 66 items (55 files)

CONTEXT

Name of Creator(s): Firkin Crane (established 1992)

Administrative History: Firkin Crane, one of Cork City’s landmark buildings, was designed in 1855 by Sir John Benson to meet the needs of the city’s thriving butter market. Following the closure of this trade in 1924, the building acted as a margarine factory. It was later acquired by Joan Denise Moriarty with the financial assistance of the Arts Council to have it refurbished as a home for her professional dance company. During the refurbishment, the building was gutted by fire. It was subsequently restored with support from Cork City Council, the Irish Government, the European Union, Irish businesses, multinational corporations, and the Irish American Fund, and re-opened in 1992 as a centre dedicated to dance, living theatre, concerts, opera, art exhibitions, poetry readings, and a variety of sound, visual, and multimedia arts. Until 2006, Firkin Crane was also the location of the Institute for Choreography and Dance (ICD), directed by Mary Brady, which aimed to stimulate choreographic practice and dance research as a means of dance development. It provided space for interchange between choreographers to examine issues, work methodologies, and goals particular to each, in a practice-centred environment. Today, Firkin Crane provides a supportive environment for professional artists in the form of a professional residency programme, Blank Canvas.

Immediate Source of Acquisition: Donated by Paul McCarthy on behalf of Firkin Crane to the National Dance Archive of Ireland on 21 June 2011.

Scope and Content: Posters and other promotional material reflecting dance culture in Cork City and the wide variety of dance performances at Firkin Crane and other venues.

Conditions Governing Access: Unrestricted access to all items.

Finding Aid: PDF link below.