Gardaí believes the fire in the former Cork convent may have been started intentionally

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Gardaí have said they believe a fire in a former convent in Co Cork may have been started intentionally.

Gardaí made the announcement in a statement after a technical examination, and they are calling for witnesses to the fire at the former Sisters of Mercy campus on Cork Rd in Skibbereen.

The fire, which occurred on Tuesday, caused significant damage, but there were no injuries as emergency services evacuated nearby homes.

Gardaí calls on anyone who may have any information in relation to the incident to contact them.

They said they are aware “that a large crowd of people recorded images of the fire on mobile phones and would like those people to introduce themselves.”

Gardaí is also asking motorists who were in the Cork Road area in Skibbereen between 15:15 and 16:45, particularly those with dash cam footage, to contact the Clonakilty Garda station on 023 882 1570, the confidential Garda line at 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

Firefighters from Skibbereen, Bantry and Schull spent several hours tackling the fire after the alarm was raised shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday.

A view of the chapel of the former Sisters of Mercy convent which was destroyed by fire Tuesday afternoon in Skibbereen, Co Cork. Image: Dan Linehan
A view of the chapel of the former Sisters of Mercy convent which was destroyed by fire Tuesday afternoon in Skibbereen, Co Cork. Image: Dan Linehan

The fire broke out less than two weeks after Cork City Council granted planning permission for a 10 million euro commercial and residential remodel of the site.

The convent dates from 1857. The chapel, designed by the renowned architectural firm EW Pugin and GC Ashlin, and built by William Murphy of Bantry, was consecrated on April 30, 1868.

The order’s 144-year connection to Skibbereen ended in 2004, and Mercy Heights, at the rear of campus, ceased to be a school in 2016 when the city’s three post-elementary schools merged.

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