Last month, for work, I had to visit the lovely arched building in Cobh – Market House. Cobh Library is in the building and it is undergoing upgrade works. I was so impressed with the fireplace on the first floor with the crest carved in the stone surround – such a detail is so rarely seen these days that I did stand and admire while the building works continued around me. The crest is also on the face of the building and also on the entrance to Fota Estate – Mr. Smith Barry was obviously keen to see his crest. "The Market House was built c.1806 for Mr. J. Smith Barry, owner of Fota Estate, whose family crest is still visible on the front of the building. It was later used as the offices of Cobh Urban District Council and currently houses Cobh Library and District Court. The building was used as a temporary morgue for the victims of the sinking of the RMS Luisitania." |