With a number of additions in the early 21st century, the 1000-seat venue hosted over 100 theatre, music, opera, and comedy events in 2015.

Cork's opera house was originally built in the 1850s to designs by architect John Benson.

The fire started on the evening of 12 December 1955, caused by an electrical fault and fueled by wooden materials.

[9] This 1960s building was designed by Scott Tallon Walker,[10] and was officially opened by then President of Ireland, Éamon de Valera, in October 1965.

[12] The Half Moon Theatre, a smaller 100-seat venue which lies to the rear of the Opera House, hosted 77 performances of 29 events in the same period.