Sir, – I read with dismay the possibility of the Unitarian Church in Cork being modified and becoming an extension of the English Market (Brian O’Connell, Life Culture, November 8th). As a long time visitor to Cork I can appreciate that English Market is a unique and key aspect of Cork. However I feel that in allowing the Unitarian Church to “fade away” and indeed for it to be so sidelined in the popular history of Cork is an absolute tragedy. The richness of Cork lies in its multifacetedness, its engagement with a slightly different perspective on Ireland and buildings and institutions such as the Unitarian Church are central in this regard.
I was married in the Unitarian Church in 2006. Being English and of a non-Catholic background I found a very warm welcome in the Cork Unitarian Church, a welcome which I felt captured the essence of Cork. It would be a great shame if the building was lost and Cork would be a poorer place for it. – Yours, etc,