Sandstone / Limestone Pattern

The distinctive polychromatic stonework employed by Benson on the original buildings of the former Cork City Waterworks, where grey limestone is alternated with Cork red sandstone, results in a striking appearance which is a particular feature of the architecture of the local area. Other building’s by Benson, including the English Market and St. Luke’s Church, also use a mix of sandstone and limestone, although the alternating courses of the Waterworks’ buildings are the most eye-catching.

This intentional arrangement of stonework of contrasting colours was used by other architects in the city in the 19 th century, particularly for churches, and can be seen, for example, on E.W. Pugin’s SS Peter and Paul’s Church on Paul Street, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Shandon and on many of the warehouses on the quays. Polychromatic stonework in the city has its roots in earlier architecture, however, as can be seen by the contrasting ashlar limestone and local red sandstone of St. Anne’s, Shandon, which dates from c. 1700.