Wednesday, 22nd September 2021
5th Free Public Talk by ZOOM
at The Central Library, Grand Parade, Cork
at 19:00
as an introduction to CorkDFAS
registration via EventBrite
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 assistance from
Cork City Heritage Plan Grant Scheme
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.
The Cork Decorative & Fine Arts Free Public Talks
2016 witnessed the first free public lecture offered by CorkDFAS to allow non-members to enjoy a taste of our annual programme of lectures.
This inaugural free public lecture was given at The Central Library, Grand Parade, Cork, at 7 p.m. on the 21st September 2016
“Aspects of the Arts & Crafts of The Honan Chapel in its Centenary Year”
by Virginia Teehan (then Director of Cultural Projects, UCC)
and James Cronin (Lecturer in Teaching & Learning (Enhancement), UCC)
with generous assistance from Cork City Heritage Plan Grant Scheme
