The Lantern Centre

Car broke down at St. Kevin church and they let us use their stairs to have a picnic until the toe truck came. Thanks

This is a really interesting community centre, used mainly by ethnic minority communities in the city as a place to hold their religious services and cultural events. There are rooms of several sizes available to rent for a day, part of a day or more long term. According to Michael, who runs the centre, the Centre is a place of hospitality inspired by the symbolism attached to it in the life of Nano Nagle who searched the back lanes of Cork each evening with her lantern seeking those who lacked food and shelter. Myself and my colleague went along to see what the set-​up was and found ourselves chatting to Michael and some of his colleagues over tea and cake for over an hour, so hospitality is certainly an integral part of the experience, even for those of us just passing through briefly!
The building used to be part of the local CBS, it has a lovely former playground at the back which is being turned into an interfaith display and relaxation space. The rooms have been renovated by volunteesrs since its foundation in 2007, there are some beautiful stained class efforts, paintings, and plants everwhere. The facilities are ideal for group meetings and classes such as yoga, sacred dance and capoiera classes, all of which take place in the different parts of the building, and there are some screen facilities for more formal meetings.
I was really taken by the atmosphere in the place, so peaceful in the middle of a busy part of the town. Ideal for renting spaces by study groups, dance groups or anyone looking for a quiet communal space for discussions and tea.