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2014 Press Releases

Sir Henry’s to re-open in UCC Library

24 Jun 2014
Pictured: Freakscene DJs (as children making their First Holy Communion) - from poster for FreakScene party (via UCC Library)

This summer UCC Library is mounting an exhibition to document the distinctive history of this legendary and iconic Cork City music venue - Sir Henry's. 

Sir Henry’s bar and nightclub, located on South Main Street, Cork (1978 – 2003) was renowned locally, nationally and internationally for its vibrant music scene.

It is hoped that this exhibition, which launches Wednesday July 9 and will run until Saturday September 27, will be a catalyst towards establishing an archive related to Sir Henry’s and the wider popular music scene in Cork.

The objectives of the exhibition, curated by Martin O Connor, (UCC Library) Stevie Grainger (Radio Presenter and DJ at Sir Henry’s) and Eileen Hogan (School of Applied Social Studies, UCC), are:

  • To begin the process of creating a permanent archive of popular music in UCC Library starting with Sir Henry’s and branching out into Cork’s wider popular music scene
  • To document a very much hidden history of an important part of Cork’s recent social, cultural and musical past
  • To preserve this history for future interested parties
  • To engage with the wider Cork Community as part of UCC’s outreach programme

Oral histories are being collected and will form part of the exhibition and become part of the archive. Written guest posts about peoples’ memories of Sir Henry’s are also being collected. These stories provide a rare insight into the lived experience of Sir Henry’s from the perspective of key actors in the scene. The inclusion of these histories will document these memories for posterity.

The exhibition, which will be held in the exhibition space in the foyer of UCC Library and is open to the public, will illuminate in a fun and accessible way a sense of what Sir Henry’s was like and why it was significant to the people of Cork and beyond. In short, its emotional, aesthetic, musical, cultural and historical value and legacy.

The Sir Henry’s Archive and exhibition will contain donations from the family of the founder of the club, employees from the very beginning of the club, when it was a restaurant and bar and various other staff from over the years as well as bands and DJs who played there. And of course from people who attended the club over the years.

A series of public seminars and talks and other events will be held throughout the duration of the exhibition, details of which will be announced in due course.

Further information can be obtained at:

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sirhenrys.exhibition

Twitter: @sirhenrys2014

Sir Henry’s Blog: http://sirhenrys2014.wordpress.com/

University College Cork

Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh

College Road, Cork T12 K8AF

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