As part of our 20th anniversary celebration of Graffiti in its Blackpool home, we welcome you to our building for Cork Heritage Open Day.
Open Day
Join us for the Cork Heritage Open Day on Saturday 15th August 2026 from 10am to 3pm.
We’re located at Assumption Road, Blackpool, T23 FDT4.
Our building is partially wheelchair accessible. For more information on access or other enquiries please contact any member of the team at the office on 021 439 7111.
Guided Tour
There will be a talk and guided tour by architect Paul Hudson at 1pm –“From Convent to Creative Centre, a Walk Through the History of the Assumption Convent and Graffiti Theatre”
Tickets for the tour are free but booking is essential – Guided Tour Tickets
What is Cork Heritage Open Day?
On August 15th 2026, Cork will host the 21st anniversary of Cork Heritage Open Day. The event celebrates the built history of Cork with events, tours, and talks. This year 42 buildings will host visitors alongside an extensive programme of free events.
The event is organised by Cork City Council as part of Heritage Week in partnership with the Heritage Council.
Our Building’s History in Cork
Originally built in 1907 as the Assumption Convent, this distinctive Blackpool building has been home to Graffiti Theatre Company since 2006. Carefully converted from a deconsecrated chapel and dormitories into a creative centre for children and young people from birth to 22 years, the building is a striking example of sensitive architectural reuse.
Designed by architect Paul Hudson of Hudson & Associates, who will lead a tour through the building, the refurbishment preserved key features of the original structure. Enter through the arched chapel entrance with original stained glass to the FitzGibbon theatre, which was once the Assumption Convent Chapel. Original terrazzo flooring remains protected beneath the current auditorium floor, while new architectural interventions, including improvements to the acoustics, an elegant internal timber staircase and open plan office space have been thoughtfully integrated.
You can read more about the architectural work in a recent article in The Echo to celebrate Graffiti’s 20 years in its remarkable Blackpool home.
Graffiti’s Work Today
Today, the building houses Graffiti’s performances, workshops, early years, youth theatre, creative writing programmes, and artists developing new work, continuing its long tradition as a place of gathering, imagination and shared experience within the community. Visitors will have an opportunity to explore the heritage and architecture as Graffiti celebrates twenty years in its Blackpool home, and to discover how it was transformed into one of Ireland’s leading spaces for theatre and creativity for young audiences.
Come and see us for a walk through the building and a chat. If you have any stories about the building from before its Graffiti days too, we’d love to hear them!
A reminder that tickets for the tour are free but booking is essential – Guided Tour Tickets.
