Cash for Opera House is queried

CORK County Council has agreed to contribute €170,000 towards the latest development project at Cork Opera House. 

Sinn Féin Cllr Des O’Grady did, however, question why – after already providing €200,000 over the course of the last five years – the Council was being asked to stump up more. He said he supported Cork Opera House as ‘an iconic place in the city,’ but was not inclined to ‘let this go through on a nod.’

Cllr O’Grady made the point that the Opera House was also getting money from Cork City Council and had shown a profit of €250,000, and a profit of €100,000 the previous year.

‘Why are they coming to the Council for funding?’ he asked. ‘Why are they not going to the banks and getting money through a private system?’

Cllr Kevin Murphy (FG) was of the opinion that ‘one or two’ Council members should be appointed to the board and Cllr Mary Rose Desmond (FF) reminded the councillors ‘not too long ago we nearly lost it.’

She said a lot of good work has been done and it was important that the Council support the funding of essential capital works, which will be completed in the next few months.

The works include the provision of a multi-functional room that can be used for rehearsals for major shows, the refurbishment of the back bar, improvements to the toilet facilities, plumbing and general maintenance.

The Mayor of County Cork, Cllr John Paul O’Shea said the Opera House makes an enormous contribution to the artistic and cultural life of the city and county and said the Council’s chief executive, Tim Lucey was pleased that it had returned to a position of growth over the last five years.

Cork Opera House is to contribute €200,000 towards the cost of the latest development project.