☕️The Friday View 02/05
The City Council has an updated plan for the Docklands, T+D get's excited about steps, Marina Market's 'factory of fun' (cringe) and our usual round-up of what to see, hear and do for the long weekend
Hello and welcome to the Friday View. Let’s get to it!
Cork Docklands Framework Plan: On Wednesday, the City Council released an updated plan for the city’s docklands which goes into greater detail about “the largest and most ambitious regeneration project in Ireland” and includes what places are suitable for tall buildings, and what areas of the docklands should be developed and CGI renderings of a utopian docklands (see above).
There are a few aspects to the plan that are worth noting - one is the development of a new transport hub at Kent Station. According to the strategy, the “south facing transport interchange site presents a significant opportunity to develop a world class facility of architectural merit” on the waterfront, adjacent to the “future Light Rail stop (to the west) and Kent Station interchange (to the north)”.
The recently completed Cardiff Bus interchange is cited as example building that they aim to follow, which leads to the question, are there plans for a new bus station? Parnell Place is jaded, but it’s a central piece of the transport infrastructure in the heart of the city.
‘Bundle 5’ of the framework is all about bridges, three of them that will link the north and south docklands, including two new proposed bridges: Water Street Bridge and the Eastern Gateway Bridge which would flow off the Monahan Road extension and presumably over the newly refurbished Marina Promenade.
The second aspect is a new cultural district, focused around the former Ford Factory, now the Marina Commercial Park, the Marina Market, and the ESB plant. It notes that the area currently “benefits from an existing ecosystem of light-industrial, creative and manufacturing businesses” such as My Goodness, Rebel Reads and the Rebel City Distillery, and that the plan “could enable different models of housing for students, key workers as well as new modes of live work, housing for artists and creative workers.”
Elsewhere, many of the other character areas set out by council already have planning permissions that are either permitted or already under construction. ‘The Upper Harbour Quay and Industry Place’ character area to the west mentions the demolished Sextant as an architecturally important building, with the construction of the 72m replacement tower set to begin.
As of 2022, the docklands contained less than 1% of the city’s population, but the Docklands plan would see 9,000 – 10,000 new homes built eventually accommodating up to 25,000 new residents, or 20% of the population growth target for Cork City to 2040.
Public consultation is open until Wednesday 28 May at 5pm and there will be two open days for the public to meet the team and find out more. Details below and interactive map here.
Wednesday 7 May – Clayton Hotel, 10 Lapps Quay, Cork. 12pm – 8pm.
Wednesday 14 May – Millenium Hall (Cork City Hall), Eglinton Cork. 12pm – 8pm.
The project team will also be present on Saturday May 24 at the ‘European Maritime Days to Play’ on Albert and Kennedy Quays.
Beginning of the end: The long unopened steps linking the Lower Glanmire Road to Horgan’s Quay provide a good example of how needlessly complex and frustrating all things planning, ownership and infrastructure can be. The set of stairs was completed in 2021, by BAM/Clarendon, and were under private ownership, but following a request by the City Council to take charge of them it looks like, following a good power washing this week, they’re set to be reopen. Only four years after completion.
New Marina Market plans: Big plans at the Marina Market for its ‘factory of fun' were revealed in more detail on Wednesday. Designed by Níall McLoughlin Architects, in partnership with AEG, the new space would include a new food hall, not dissimilar to the one that’s currently there, a 100-room hotel, a hall looking out onto the river, and a 4-5,000 seater events centre. This is smaller than the one planned at South Main Street, and it is unclear if they will be able to engage in the new tendering process for the events centre, the Irish Examiner reported.
According to the architect, there is far more work to do before even considering a planning application—which raises more questions than answers. Is this even a competing bid at all? Will the capacity be 4,000, or will it be smaller? Can the two coexist? Cork could probably benefit from several small venues, but is there demand for two large ones? Is this just a publicity stunt? And what about the Seveso site, which caused planning headaches in the past?
The tender deadline for the Event Centre is May 12, meaning we’ll likely only see a BAM application. At least the new bridge might finally get some use.
Green light for the Crawford: While it’s been closed since September, the redevelopment of the Crawford Art Gallery has been approved by government to go to tender this week. The Echo reported on Tuesday that the €30m redevelopment will begin shortly, and it’s forecast to reopen in 2027.
Some weather: Pope’s Quay is usually hopping on a sunny day, particularly in the stretch between Myo Tikk and Bierhaus. Typically, this sun trap draws hundreds of punters perched on the footpath and around Bierhaus, which lacks the outdoor seating of its neighbours. However, drinkers are now barred from consuming alcohol outside unless seated at a table. The obvious fix would be to install more seating and table areas, mirroring Union Quay’s setup, especially around Bierhaus and similar to its neighbours.
Hospital music: Cork County Council is inviting musicians to take part in the ‘Healthcare Hoolies’, which has been bringing live music to residents in Community Hospitals and care homes across the county for the past five years. Supported by Creative Ireland, the HSE, and Nursing Homes Ireland, the programme aims to bring the joy of live music to older people who may not otherwise have access to cultural experiences in 30 care homes across the county. To apply or for further information, contact the Cork County Council’s Arts Office by emailing CreativeIreland@corkcoco.ie. Closing date May 16.
Welcome back: Former Chief Executive of Cork City Council Ann Doherty was back on old familiar territory as the Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor, Dan Boyle, hosted a civic reception for the first ever female Chief Executive of Cork City Council. Boyle praised Doherty's leadership and her pivotal role in transforming Cork. "Ann's commitment to sustainability, urban development, and community engagement left an indelible mark on our city,” he said. That transformation is still ongoing, and being ramped up, in all areas of the city with notable exception of the Event Centre. Doherty, who now heads the Port of Cork, predicted the Centre would be up and running by 2026. Nobody’s perfect.
Out + About
Cherry blossom festival: Ballyphehane’s annual cherry blossom festival returns this weekend with lots on including a tour of St. Joseph’s Cemetery with Liam Ó hUigín this evening at 7:30pm. Tomorrow, Saturday May 3, sees music in the square and a talk on composing with Donal O’Leary. Fill details Ballyphehane TidyTowns social pages and here.
Time, date, place: Until Sunday May 4 across Ballyphehane.
Forest talk: Padraig O’Tuama is the special guest next week at the Biodiversity Hub in Ballincollig Regional Park. O’Tuama will be outlining what grants are available, where nest to set trees and maintenance tops. Book a spot by emailing corkbiodiversityhub@gmail.com
Time, date, place: 7:30pm, Thursday May 8, Cork Biodiversity Hub, Power Mills, Ballincollig
Múscraí’s Leevy perform in The Kino on Thursday. Led by Amhlaoibh McSweeney, the five-piece perform a blend of folk rock and punk with trad undertones. Tickets are available here.
Time, date, place: 8pm, Thursday May 8, The Kino, Washington Street, Cork.
They love a festival down in Ballydehob, and only fresh off their trad festival, their Jazz Festival comes along. Featuring Boola Boom, numerous DJs, and spoken word, the lineup is here.
Time, date, place: Friday May 2 - Sunday May 4, Ballydehob.
Macroom musician Paul Spring returns to Macroom with a gig in Briery Gap this evening, as part of the ‘Kind of Heaven’ tour. He is joined by special guest Colin Tierney. Tckets and more information here.
Time, date, place: 7:30pm, Friday May 2, Briery Gap, South Square, Macroom
Scottish singer-songwriter Rachel Sermanni performs in Connolly’s of Leap this weekend. Described as dreamy indie-folk pop, she recently released her 4th studio album, Dreamer Awake. Tickets and information here.
Time, date, place: 7pm, Saturday May 3, Connolly’s of Leap.
The Cork Printmakers Members Exhibition is currently ongoing at the Lavit Gallery. It features new work by over 60 Cork Printmakers artists, and runs for another two weeks. More information here.
Time, date, place: Saturday April 24 - Monday May 12, Lavit Gallery, Wandesford Quay, Cork.
The Leon Stax Equation perform a mix of soul music with of jazz, rock, funk and psychedelia in Coughlans on Sunday. The band of multi-instrumentalist Leon Stax, they are supported by local singer-songwriter Adam O’Donovan’s indie project Madam. Info and tickets here.
Time, date, place: 7:30pm, Sunday May 4, Coughlan’s, Douglas Street, Cork.
Aye Craft: Aye is back with its craft market in the Crawford on Anglesea St tomorrow, Saturday May 4. There’s a great range of crafters selling everything from cards, jewellery, illustrations, decorations and much else. Free in.
Time, date, place: 12pm-4pm, Saturday May 3, Crawford &Co, 10/11 Anglesea St
That’s it for this week’s Friday View. As always, any tips, comments, news or events you’d like to share with Tripe+Drisheen, you can contact us at tripeanddrisheen@substack.com. We are always happy to speak to people off the record in the first instance, and we will treat your information with confidence and sensitivity. Get in touch. Have a lovely long weekend.
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