It was the second almshouse built using a bequest from Stephen Skiddy for the city's poor, either Catholic or Church of Ireland.

[2] The first building, located near North Gate Bridge, was replaced by the end of 1718 following complaints of its being a poor source for fresh air and being too narrow.

[4][5] The Almshouse was built on a corner of the medieval Saint Mary's Churchyard, the building was once part of a campus including the Green Coat Hospital and School.

The Almshouse was saved from demolition by the Cork Preservation Society in the 1960s with an award-winning restoration completed in 1975 by the architect Frank Murphy.

[6][7][5] The Almshouse is an L-shaped building with a stone arcade enclosed by a ten-foot wall with a large iron gate.