Cobh Museum

The English Gothic Style church was built in1854 for the British servicemen in Cobh. The congregation followed the Orthodox Presbyterian tradition of old Scottish theology hence the name Scot's Church. In 1969 following its closure it was donated to Cork County Council. In 1971 it opened as a museum and has been displaying Cobh's wealth of military and maritime history ever since. Description Freestanding former Presbyterian church, dated 1854, now in use as museum. Comprising three-bay nave, single-bay vestry to east and three-stage, stepped tower having octagonal limestone spire with consoles to south elevation. Pitched slate roof with limestone copings. Snecked sandstone walls having limestone quoins and rendered walls to west elevation. Limestone date plaque to south elevation. Sandstone buttresses with limestone quoins to tower. Limestone string course to tower, third stage. Lancet quarry glazed stained glass windows having limestone block-and-start surrounds. Double lancet quarry glazed windows to vestry, south elevation. Quatrefoil quarry glazed stained glass window to west elevation over triple lancet quarry glazed stained glass windows with limestone hood moulding, both having limestone surrounds. Lancet quarry glazed window to tower, second stage. Trefoil-headed opening over double lancet windows with timber fittings, limestone surround and hood moulding to tower, third stage. Pointed arch opening having limestone surround and hood moulding over timber battened door. Flight of limestone steps to entrance. Ornate scissors brace and tie beam ceiling with limestone corbels supporting collars to interior. Red terracotta tiles to interior floors. Carved timber pulpit with trefoil motifs to east wall. Pointed arch opening with timber battened door leading to vestry, east elevation. Square-profile rendered piers with caps and boundary walls with render copings. Appraisal Prominently sited, this former Presbyterian church is a fine example of mid nineteenth century Hard Gothic architecture. Its coherent decorative scheme culminates in the ornate tower, with limestone spire, which emphasises its Gothic theme. The sandstone walls and limestone dressings create a textural and chromatic variation, which adds further interest to the structure. Internally, the church retains its tiled floor and timber pulpit which adds important context to the site.