Christchurch, South Main Street, Cork City

The Church of Ireland (Protestant) Christchurch, or Holy Trinity as it was commonly known, is located in the heart of Cork's historical centre. While the present church was rebuilt in the eighteenth century, Christchurch is believed to be the site of the earliest church in the city, a Viking Norse foundation, dating from the eleventh century. Nothing remains of this church, or its medieval successor, save for a small section of the crypt. The church was badly damaged during the Siege of Cork in 1690. The siege was part of the wider Williamite Wars, when an army loyal to the Protestant King William III, defeated Catholic forces fighting for the rightful king, the Catholic James II. The church was used to forcibly house many of the city's Protestant population during the siege, Cork having been commandeered by Jacobite forces. 

The church had come under considerable bombardment during the city's siege, and was left in an irreparable condition. The decision was made to demolish it, which was duly carried out in 1716. Building on the new church commenced in 1718. The church was designed by local architect, John Coltsman, in the Classical Georgian style. A tower and steeple were erected at some cost, but were subsequently removed in 1820 as they were deemed structurally unsafe. It was at this time that other changes were made to the building; a new cut stone front, seen above, was added by George Pain in the 1820s. With its round headed windows, portico, and large pediment, it was spartan in appearance, resembling more an English non-Conformist chapel. As part of the restoration of the 1820s a new apse (the semi circular area where the altar was located) was also added. The scene of the image above looks a little different today; to the right of the church, where there once stood a narrow lane and building, now stands a beautiful park. 

Unfortunately Christchurch suffered the same fate as many urban Church of Ireland churches in the twentieth century, closing its doors for worship in 1978. The church subsequently was used as an archive for Cork City Council, but in 2008 became part of the the Triskel Arts Centre, who use the building for artistic performances.