- A Cork City and County Archives Exhibition supported by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht -
Rebuilding
after the Burning
Postcard showing the junction of Patrick Street and Winthrop Street after the burning in December 1920, Tivy Collection, Cork City and County Archives
The burning of Cork in December 1920, including its main thoroughfare and municipal buildings, was a major event in Ireland’s struggle for independence. Today, the rebuilt city hall, library and a considerable proportion of Patrick Street are a physical testament to significant moments in national and international history. An entirely unintended consequence of the destruction and vandalism wrecked on the city was a local building boom funded by the resultant compensation scheme. Chillingworth & Levie worked on at least four of the ‘reconstructions’ that revamped the appearance of Patrick Street, including Roches Stores. Subsequently, the impact of the new buildings gave impetus to other retailers to upgrade and improve their own premises.
Postcard showing the site of Roches Stores after the burning in
December 1920, Tivy Collection, Cork City and County Archives
The designers of most of the reconstructed shops worked to an elevation that read as three levels in ground/shop front level, main upper level comprising two storeys enclosed
by vertical elements and completed by a smaller attic storey. Henry Hill’s elegant design for Cash’s epitomises this classical balance whereas Roches Stores is altogether brasher with an eclectic mix of Classical references, extended modern glazing and striking copper dome.
From its relatively modest beginnings as a warehouse on Merchant Street, running parallel to Maylor Street, Roches Stores emerged as the largest department store in Cork after 1926. The aspirations of the store may be seen in its ‘bigger and better’ reincarnation, along with the
Sketch drawing of the front elevation of Roches Stores, Patrick Street, pencil and pastel on paper, Chillingworth & Levie, 1924-26, 58 x 46cm, Cork City and County Archives
Brown Thomas (the former Cash’s, Patrick Street, Cork, courtesy the NIAH
use of a variety of specialist shop-outfitters from England. These included the Marble Mosaic Co. Ltd (still in existence) for the
new terrazzo floor whose other commissions included the Dorchester Hotel in London; Frederick Sage & Co., London, shop fitters who
Debenhams (the former Roches Stores), Patrick Street, Cork, courtesy the NIAH
counted Harrods and Selfridges amongst their clients; and W. McFarlane & Co. Ltd, Glasgow, who designed the steel windows and also completed work for major department stores in the UK. Every detail of the new shop from lighting to stair balustrades, lifts and shelving to lettering was specified and agreed in drawings. Roches Stores continued to be a client of the practice until at least 1941 when an air-raid shelter for workers and customers was designed for the premises during the World War II.
Wrought iron balustrade to main staircase detail, Roches Stores, Cork, Chillingworth & Levie, 1924-26, 37 x 37cm, Cork City and County Archives
Agreed terrazzo detailing with the Marble Mosaic Company for Roches Stores, Cork, pencil and ink on paper, Chillingworth & Levie, 1924-26, 68 x 50cm, Cork City and County Archives
Porch details for Roches Stores, Cork, pencil on tracing paper, Chillingworth & Levie, 1924-26, 45 x 48cm, Cork City and County Archives
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