Wednesday, 22nd September 2021
5th Free Public Talk
as an introduction to CorkDFAS
at The Central Library, Grand Parade, Cork
at 19:00
Conor English
Architect and lecturer
Frank Murphy: Cork’s Modern Architect
Frank Murphy was an acclaimed Irish architect who employed basic modern principles as a language to forge an emerging style of architecture to Cork. With long planar forms, structures animated with pattern, rhythm and rich material palettes enveloping modern space plans, Murphy was without a doubt one of Cork City’s most important architects. A dedicated modernist and an equally progressive conservation campaigner, Murphy concentrated for much of his career on 20th century ecclesiastical designs, schools, offices and factories of Cork. In 1953 he designed the first modern catholic church building in West Cork, All Saint Church, Drimoleague. In 1968 he set up the Cork Preservation Society and in 1975 won the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland’s national award for architecture (Restoration), the Europa Nostra medal for his pioneering restoration of Skiddy’s Almshouse (1719), Cork’s oldest inhabited building. This lecture charts the entire length of Murphy’s career, highlighting distinctive features while discussing the cultural conditions of Murphy’s practice. It will explore the interplay of the architect’s influences and impulses; development and tradition, provincialism and nationalism and how Cork was always a condition of Murphy’s life and work.
Conor English
Conor English B.Arch M.Arch, received his Master of Architecture from University College Dublin in 2018 following his bachelors at the University of Dundee, Scotland. He is interested in Architectural Communication and research. In 2018 he was awarded a Venice fellowship, working at the Irish Pavilion during the 16th international architecture exhibition, la Biennale di Venezia. He has served on the Irish council of DoCoMoMo, teaches in the Cork Centre for architectural education and works in architectural practice in Dublin.
With generous support from
the Cork City Heritage Plan
With the exception of the Public (and any Commemorative) Talks all talks are given on the second Saturday of the relevant month at Nano Nagle Place, Douglas Street, T12 X70A, Cork: see, About Us.
Each Talk at Nano Nagle Place begins at 11:30 a.m.