Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Fergal Dennehy with Junan Burgalin, DASH Nightime Co-Ordinator at the Sexual Health Clinic (SHC), Muire O’Farrell, Head of Operations SHC, Ciaran Lynch, Chairperson Board of Directors SHC, Lady Mayoress Karen Brennan, Minister Jerry Buttimer TD, Fiona Finn, Executive Director SHC and Elshaddai Mahuda, Health Promotion Officer SHC, at the official opening of The Sexual Health Center’s new premises on the South Mall. Photos: Jim Coughlan

‘Move is about more than just bricks and mortar’

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Liz Murphy, Board member SHC and Clinical Nurse Specialist, HIV Treatment Clinic, CUH, Corinna Sadlier, Infection Consultant CUH, Jacinta Joyce CNS CUH and Danny Quealey, Genito Urinary Medicine STI Clinic.

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Catherine Kennedy, LAIT Coordinator Cork City Council and Abina Curtin, Cork ETB Youth Services.

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Aoife Burke, UCC School of Public Health, and Colette Cahill, Crisis Pregnancy Counsellor SHC.

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Kate Moynihan, LINQ, Triona Healy, Community Work HSE, Fiona Finn, Executive Director SHC and David Lane, GM Social Inclusion HSE.

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Maura Smiddy, UCC School of Public Health, and Tara Whelan, SHC.

Niamh Aine Ryan

Published: Wed 9 Jul 2025, 2:56 PM

Last updated: Wed 9 Jul 2025, 3:02 PM

The Sexual Health Centre has a new home on South Mall.

Founded in the 1980s as Cork AIDS Alliance, the organisation had operated from its premises at 16 Peter’s Street for almost four decades. The relocation to South Mall in 2024 reflects the centre’s commitment to expanding its services, increasing accessibility and enhancing support for individuals and communities across Cork and the wider region.

The official opening of its new city-centre location at 18 South Mall marks one of the most significant developments in the organisation’s nearly 40-year history. The building was launched recently by Minister Jerry Buttimer.

Fiona Finn, Chief Executive of the Sexual Health Centre, said: “This move is about more than just bricks and mortar. Relocating to South Mall is a powerful step forward in our mission to provide sexual health services for all. This modern, accessible facility allows us to meet the increasing demand for our services and to continue evolving in response to the changing needs of our community. The move takes sexual health to the heart of Cork city.”

The new premises features increased counselling and support rooms, improved privacy for service users and dedicated space for community outreach, education and events. It will allow the centre to deliver a broader range of services, host more in-person engagements and foster collaboration with local organisations and healthcare providers. A bird motif is featured prominently throughout the new building, serving as a meaningful tribute to the original design used by Cork AIDS Alliance.

Ciaran Lynch, Chair of the Sexual Health Centre, said: “It was important for us to permanently honour the Centre’s rich history as we look toward its future. This move marks a significant new chapter in our story. As we turn the page, we want to recognize the dedication and hard work of our current team and board, as well as pay tribute to those who came before us. This shared commitment has been instrumental in shaping the Centre into what it is today.”

The relocation aligns with the Sexual Health Centre’s strategic goals to improve service delivery, strengthen partnerships and ensure long-term sustainability. The organisation remains committed to offering confidential, non-judgmental support and information on all aspects of sexual health, including rapid HIV testing, a collection point for at home SH24 self-test kits, free condoms, LGBTQ+ supports, pregnancy counselling and more.

As demand for comprehensive sexual health services continues to rise, it’s hoped the centre’s new home will be even more responsive and impactful in promoting sexual health and wellbeing in Cork.