“The Metropole Hotel has got a little longer over the years but has retained its character”
Cork, A Scrapbook through Time – Éabha Landers
While flicking through the book recently, I noted an old photograph where the Metropole Hotel was not as long as it currently is. One can often spot extensions to building with different coloured slate, brick or plaster; different details or features; or a slight difference in levels.
I had not spotted any difference in the Metropole and it took some looking to find it.
I had not spotted any difference in the Metropole and it took some looking to find it.
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Looking at the building, the logical break appeared to be where there is a thickening in the wall, just to right of ‘METROPOLE’ in namesign but details to the left – downpipes, brick arches, and mouldings all did look the same.
Only on closer inspection can one see a joint in the parapet capping by the roof and some joints in the brickwork.
Only on closer inspection can one see a joint in the parapet capping by the roof and some joints in the brickwork.
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Checking the photograph in Éabha Landers’ book, it appears that the brick column/thicknessing was the end of the original building and the offset in the downpipe was also original.
Looking closely, the plaster features to three of the bays are dated 1897 and the fourth is dated 1910. An interesting aspect is that each plaster feature has two initials on it. My guess would be the craftsmen who executed the work but if that is the case, they did manage to replicate details very well.
Looking closely, the plaster features to three of the bays are dated 1897 and the fourth is dated 1910. An interesting aspect is that each plaster feature has two initials on it. My guess would be the craftsmen who executed the work but if that is the case, they did manage to replicate details very well.
From West to East, Bay 1
Bay 2
Bay 4 - 1910 (Eastern end)
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Bay 3- last of 1897
Different style of lettering in 1910
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