Saint George’s Arts and Heritage Centre

A new lease of life

Saint George’s Arts and Heritage Centre was formerly the Church of Ireland parish church in Mitchelstown, Ireland. The church was deconsecrated in August 2017 and purchased in April 2019 by a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. Its five directors are all volunteers who are passionate about evolving the centre as a venue for the entertainment and arts activities.

Since 2019, almost €750,000 has been spent on the building which is evolving into a dynamic venue for a wide range of arts, cultural, heritage, tourism and civic-based activities including a dedicated archive and library. To achieve this goal, we are raising €1.3 million.  In June 2020, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht allocated €116,000 Fáilte Ireland, towards the cost of re-roofing the entire building, of which the total cost was €250,000. Other significant grants have been received through Cork County Council, the Heritage Council, the Arts Council, the Irish Georgian Society and, most recently, the Department of Rural and Community Development.

In 2021, with the help of grant aid from the Heritage Council and Cork County Council, we made the building wheelchair accessible. With the help of the Irish Georgian Society, we have undertaken restoration of three of the most significant windows in the building. In 2023, with grant aid from the Department of Rural and Community Development, the building will enjoy the installation of a much-needed heating system. We have commenced a phased repointing of the building, beginning with the front facade. 

We are the premier performing arts venue north of Cork cite, and we also host conferences and civil weddings.

To help fund all this work, we have raised over €315,000 in loans from Clann Credo - Community Finance Ireland. Our current outstanding loan is €130,000 and we are engaged in continuous efforts to raise funds. We welcome donations however big or small. 

Saint George's is a three-minute drive from Junction 13 on the M8 - 40 minutes from Cork - 30 minutes from the Rock of Cashel - 15 minutes from Fermoy - 30 minutes from Mallow.  Visitors welcome by appointment.

€1.3 million restoration project

Saint George’s is available to anyone interested in the arts, culture and heritage. It is also available for other activities including civil marriages, conferences and meetings. The former church is owned by a not-for-profit company, which is actively developing the centre as Mitchelstown's cultural and historic venue. 

The first phase of the project has included cleaning external facades, internal restoration of the steeple, interior re-decoration and various repairs and improvements to facilities. The roof has undergone any significant refurbishment since 1884 and loses slates regularly, so this is a priority for future funding.