On Thursday June 19th 2008 the “History of the Lee Road Waterworks” was officially launched by Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Donal Counihan. Utilising different media to tell the story, Lifetime Lab has added a new element to its already impressive visitor experience; visitors will now leave with a better appreciation of the history of the site, the working lives of the waterworks staff and an insight into the industrial heritage of Cork City.

Mags Geaney with Lord Mayor Cllr.Donal Counihan

Following detailed research into the history of the Waterworks, the engines and boilers that were used at the site and the staff that worked on site, local artist Mags Geaney has produced paintings that depict the Waterworks over the past three centuries.  These paintings have been used to develop interpretative panels that are located throughout the site and tell visitors about the history of the site.

In addition to the paintings and interpretative panels, Lifetime Lab is delighted to display three model steam engines that were hand-built by Mr. Ted Crosbie and his father Mr. Thomas Crosbie.  Mr Crosbie and his father built these engines, two of which are replicas of engines that were used in the Old Waterworks.  Lifetime Lab is extremely grateful to Mr. Crosbie for these engines which he and his father spent so much time on and which are clearly very dear to him. 

Ted Crosbie with Lord Mayor Cllr. Donal Counihan and Michael O'Brien.

Lifetime Lab is widely acclaimed as being one of the best preserved industrial heritage sites in Ireland and the UK.  The Waterworks has been used to supply water to the city of Cork since the 1760s, the buildings which stand at the site today date from the 1800s and 1900s.  The water pumping technology from that time remains at the site, this includes huge coal-fired boilers, steam engines and water turbines. The site is unique in terms of its architectural and industrial heritage as well as its attractive riverside location and its proximity to Cork City centre. 

In the boiler room.