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Triskel Arts Centre, located on Tobin Street in Cork, Ireland, is one of the city's most enduring and culturally significant arts venues. Founded in 1978, Triskel began its life in a Georgian townhouse, establishing itself as a hub for experimental arts, community events, live music, cinema, and multidisciplinary cultural programming. Over the decades, it has played a pivotal role in Cork’s arts scene, distinguishing itself as a space where audiences could encounter cutting-edge performances, visual art exhibitions, and projects by local creators as well as international touring artists.

Perhaps one of its most remarkable developments occurred in 2011, when the Centre expanded and moved into the deconsecrated 18th-century Christchurch on South Main Street, seamlessly blending the historic architecture with a modern arts facility. This move also enhanced its acoustics and atmosphere, making it a favorite venue for both performers and audiences. The nightclub aspect of Triskel Arts Centre, especially during the 1990s and 2000s, became legendary in Cork for its forward-thinking lineups, innovative events, and for fostering an inclusive atmosphere that supported subcultures and experimental music.

The venue is closely associated with the evolution of Cork’s electronic, alternative, and jazz scenes, and is noted for its pioneering support of underground music and emerging artists. Triskel’s adaptability and commitment to cultural programming have meant it remains vital to Cork’s nightlife while also serving as a broader arts centre, weathering structural and logistical changes over the years without losing its original spirit. Its reputation is one of being a home for the alternative, a vital artery in Cork’s creative bloodstream, and an incubator for both new talent and established artists.

Notable artists who have performed at Triskel Arts Centre include international acts such as John Parish, Thurston Moore, Julia Holter, and Bill Frisell, as well as celebrated Irish musicians like Donal Lunny, The Frank and Walters, Lisa Hannigan, and Mick Flannery. The Centre has also hosted influential DJs and electronic acts including Surgeon, Rob Hall, Greg Wilson, and a host of local innovators like Fish Go Deep, The Altered Hours, and Toby Kaar. Its stages have seen everything from chamber orchestras to avant-garde music collectives, cementing Triskel’s legacy as one of Ireland’s most eclectic and progressive music venues.