Cork Lesbian Centre George's Quay
Cork's 1st Lesbian Centre opened at 14 George’s Quay on 26 April 1999. Originally called Cairde Corcaí (Cork Friends), the name was later changed to LINC (Lesbians in Cork).
A number of lesbian community meetings were held (December 1998 and February 1999) and a steering group, operating under the name Cairde Corcaí (Cork Friends), was established to explore the possibility of setting up a Lesbian Centre. A small grant (£10,000) was obtained from the EU funded LEA (Lesbian Education and Awareness) project. This enabled Cairde Corcaí to open Cork’s first lesbian centre at 14 George’s Quay on 26 April 1999.
A number of groups operated from the George’s Quay lesbian centre. Social and information events were organised. For example a Health Day was held on 6 November 1999 and a Seminar on Racism and the Lesbian Community was held on 21 November 1999.
However, there were challenges due to the lack of resources to employ any staff, which led to limited opening hours. Problems also emerged with the homophobic landlord. The lesbian centre moved to Princes Street in 2000 and the name was changed to LINC (Lesbians in Cork).
It moved to its current home on White Street in 2002. The employment of staff, initially under the Community Employment Scheme, and later with a grant under the Equality for Women Measure of the National Development Plan, was key to the development of the Cork lesbian centre.