Carrig House

Carrig House was built in 1850 by a wealthy merchant of the name John Atkins. It is an imposing house of 10,000 square foot on a prominent sea front elevated site. It changed hands in the 1890’s and then several times again until it was bought for use as the American Consulate in the 1920’s. It remained so until 1933 after which it was bought by the Department of Education to be used as a vocational school and an Irish language school. Since its sale in 2003 to the Client, this protected structure has undergone a major restoration carried out in accordance with the best conservation practices.

Information:

Architect: Boyd Barrett Murphy O’Connor
Engineer: Horgan Lynch & Partners
Main Contractor: Cornerstone Construction

Carrig House was left lying vacant and dilapidated for years and was in danger of falling into ruin. Therefore, a considerable scope of work was carried out on the project.
The existing roof has now been renewed in salvaged natural slate with new lead work and copper work to all valleys and parapets. Many of the sliding sash windows had been smashed due to vandalism and neglect. These windows were restored using expert joinery techniques. The main staircase is restored to its original form and all joinery, ceilings and cornices have been renewed to match what had originally been in place but were lost again due to vandalism and neglect.

Cornerstone Construction successfully completed this project in 2004 and won an ‘Architectural Excellence Award’ from the Cobh Chamber of Commerce. Carrig House has risen from a dilapidated, much vandalised structure to becoming Cobh’s present Town Hall and a major tourist attraction in the town.