WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT CAMDEN PALACE
Above: past project by resident group.
SARAH HORGAN, JOURNALIST
I remember walking through the building dotted by so much artwork and thinking it was the most beautiful place in the whole world. Getting a sense of all that creativity energy under one roof is not something I have experienced in Cork city since.
SUADELA BELLYDANCE, CORK
We have such fond memories of Camden Palace, it is where we first started our classes and where we met so many people that are still big parts of our lives now. There was such a great community there. Definitely hope that ye can reopen!​
PAOLO GRUNI, ARTIST
I used to run a theatre company in Camden Palace and I believe strongly that it should reopen. It would not only supply necessary spaces for artists and promote collaborative ethics. It would represent a political statement that a revolutionary way of building community can exist and bring beauty into the world
MICHAEL RAINES, YOUGHAL
Cork City desperately needs a space like this to support artisans of all kinds with limited or no funding. This venture is unique in Cork City, and should be supported for the sake of its cultural and artistic future. It adds greatly to the rich tapestry of arts and culture, and to keep alive and protect the prospect of Cork City’s future heritage.
Above: the entrance to the former premises on Camden Quay. Photo by William Murphy.
JOHN GODFREY, DIRECTOR, QUIET MUSIC ENSEMBLE, and SENIOR LECTURER, MUSIC DEPARTMENT, UCC
I believe the reopening of Camden Palace Hotel as an arts space is of incalculable value to the city. It was an essential resource for many years, and its reestablishment would constitute a major boost to the city’s arts scene.​ The artistic life of the city is also of importance to the city’s economy, a substantial part of which is to do with tourism and cultural exchange. Yes despite the enviable level of activity here, Cork is surprisingly short of spaces in which artists may pursue their practice.​
Above: past art exhibition by then resident artists Niamh Leonard and Lorraine McDonnell.
DAMHNAIT HICKEY, DUBLIN
Camden Palace Hotel absolutely should reopen. It was a fantastic community arts space - loved the ethos and welcoming vibe when I was involved back around 2014. Would be delighted to support events and activities should Camden Palace reopen again.
ANTHONY O'DWYER, CORK
Camden Palace Hotel is an important part of our burgeoning arts community and like our arts community it needs to be nurtured and protected!
KIM WEIJS, CORK
I think Camden Palace Hotel is a great initiative that gives so much pleasure to loads of people. It’s unique in the way it gives access to all sorts of people with different interests and budgets.
KATHY D'ARCY, POET, WORKSHOP FACILITATOR AND YOUTH WORKER
It would be one of the best things to happen in Cork for a very long time if Camden Palace reopened. I'm very grateful to you all for working to keep accessible arts available to all.​
ORLA MARREN, GALWAY
I know many artists and patrons that have benefited from all the support Camden Place offers and I would hate to see it gone. Cork city is widely known as a city of culture because of places like this.
TOM JORDAN, CORK
This resource has a proven pedigree. Camden Palace Hotel has given so much to Cork. The price of saving this centre will be repaid many times in the direction it gives young people every day.​
Above: bodypainting at Camden Palace for the World Naked Bike Ride.
CATHY WALSH, CORK
Camden Palace was an excellent space for workshops, performances, festivals, etc. I performed there, took dance classes there, did body painting, acrobatics, clowning and saw so many wonderful things there. I miss it. I would love to see it open again.
PATRICK NAUGHTON, DUBLIN
I loved the former Camden palace, especially for all it offered struggling artists and those who are creative and need a space to explore their creativity. Camden Palace offered a great sense of community and it was always a very welcoming place. Would love to see its re-incarnation.
COLM PATTWELL, CORK
Camden Palace Hotel Community Arts Centre has and continues to be a most valuable arts incubator for Cork City and Ireland as a whole. This critical institute for aspiring artists and arts facilitators provides the support and resources necessary to continue the dynamic growth of the Arts in the city, which in turn provides an established artistic community which can continue to contribute to a host of other institutes in the city. It has an effect, both creative and financial, on the city's tourism, cultural impact, and appeal to national and international artists.
Above: bodypainting at Camden Palace by German artist Denise Can, with hanging art by then resident artist Lorraine McDonnell.
DR. KAREN POWER, COMPOSER, CONTEMPORARY MUSIC CENTRE, IRELAND
Camden Palace was a hugely valuable resource for artists, which contributed to the overall artistic scene of Cork City. Bringing this back will empower our city and the artists who make it ’the-place-to-be’.​​
I am fully in support of the re-opening of Camden Palace Hotel as an artists’ space. Cork city has such a wealth of artists doing amazing work, but there are so few spaces. Most art forms require space and at present artists are being driven out of the city in searches for something affordable.
AIDEEN QUIRKE, ARTIST
I’d love to see Camden Palace reopen again. It was always a great community and supportive of artists from all walks of life. Very inclusive and an outsider art kind of feel which doesn’t have many other platforms.
Above: past project by a resident group. Designed by artist Wrobel.
SINÉAD BARRY, CORK
This arts centre is a very important thread in Cork's cultural fabric, continuously weaving fresh creativity in the city, something that has always made Cork a great place to live in. It gives space and community to like and non-like minded people, and notably is a non-elitist and friendly place to visit. It nurtures essential elements of any strong healthy society - fresh creative expression, and sense of community.​
MIKE MCGRATH-BRYAN, ROOM101 ONLINE RADIO STATION
Camden Palace needs to return, because it provided a home for leftfield practitioners and facilitators of all stripes, because we need performance venues and community studios, and because we need to beat gentrification and hold space for artists, characters, and dreamers.​
Above: Totem, work in progress by then resident artist Shelflife.