🔴⚪️The Friday View 04/07
Flower power, return of The Left Bank, Cork County Board goes again, Dose Weekender is back and our list of what's on around town and further afield.
Hello, and welcome to the Friday View. Let’s get to it.
Flowers trumps “robo-trees”: While the robo-trees on Grand Parade and St. Patrick’s Street have not been reincarnated, they have been replaced by flower baskets. There’s still room to sit on the hexagonal structures that held the Tardis-like robot-trees. The five “trees” were installed at a cost of €350,000 in 2021 with funding from the National Transport Authority. All five were removed earlier this year.
A fairly comprehensive report from a team at UCC arrived at this conclusion in 2023: “The CityTrees are unlikely to have a positive impact on air quality in outdoor settings which experience dynamic and continuous air exchange; they are more likely to be effective in areas of restricted airflow, such as enclosed or indoor spaces.”
Take two: Páirc Uí Chaoimh lodged a planning application at the end of last month to build a new set-down area on public land owned by the City Council at the city end of the stadium, allowing buses and cars to enter via Monahan Road, drop off, turn around, and exit. Brian Geaney, Assistant Chief Executive of Cork City Council, signed off on the planning application from Cork County Board “without prejudice”, pending the City Council’s and An Bord Pleanála’s decision.
The County Board has been here before, having previously been knocked back. At issue are concerns from residents over who will patrol the parking outside match days? Will it become a free-for-all, with parents lining up on Monahan Road to pick up and drop off kids for training or for events like WinterLee? It also brings traffic onto the park, which is used by walkers, joggers, cyclists, and kids playing ball. Could the solution not be to put the set-down on Monahan Road without having to cut into the park?
No doubt, Cork City Council will take into consideration that Monahan Road is on the proposed route of the Cork Luas, and any extra traffic could impede the tram (assuming it gets built). A decision is expected later this summer.
Sticking with the Luas: In 2024, the Luas in Dublin carried 54 million passengers—which is also 54 million more than the Cork Luas, which is still very much in the early stages of planning. The emerging preferred route for Luas Cork is currently out to non-statutory consultation. The complex project, 18.5 km in length, will run east to west from Ballincollig to Mahon Point through the city centre, and would stop at key destinations such as CUH, UCC, and Páirc Uí Chaoimh, running through St Patrick’s Street and interchanging at Kent Station. TII is targeting a Railway Order submission in 2027/2028, with passenger services possible in 2035.
Population increase: Ireland’s population reached 7 million for the first time since the 19th century, according to new figures released this week from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NIRSA).
The bean-counters found that combined census data from 2022 shows that the population south of the border was 5.15 million and the population north of the border was 1.91 million. The 7.1 millionfigure is the highest the population has ever been in Ireland since pre-famine times, when more than 8 million people lived on the island.
The 2022 census data shows that the population of Cork was 584,156, with an 8% increase on the 2016 figures. While the population for the entire county is forecast to grow further, it’s still a way off the 850,000 mark recorded in the 1841 census.
A good Dose: The DOSE Weekender is underway across Cork City for its third edition, featuring thirteen acts in three different venues. Taking place in Dali and Test Site, the lineup is eclectic and intriguing.
"Focusing on Irish talent but casting the net further than ever before, the DOSE Weekender aims to bring people together from across the island and further afield," DOSE said. "This year’s programming reflects this, featuring intimate improvisation, collective street exploration, extended football matches, and two nights of smouldering club sets."
You can see the lineup for yourself in the Out + About below.
Music legends on Leeside: It was a busy week for gigs in Cork as guitar legend Joe Bonamassa performed at Live at the Marquee, while disco legend Nile Rodgers and Chic supported Duran Duran at Virgin Media Park. Bonamassa performed Rory Gallagher’s music over three nights, bringing crowds of Gallagher enthusiasts to the city. It’s the main event of Cork Rocks for Rory, which marks the thirty years since his passing, and which features many other events across the city.
Nile Rodgers and Chic performed at Glastonbury last week, and they supported Duran Duran at Virgin Media Park on Tuesday. While they performed a handful of Chic’s hits, the performance focused on Nile Rodgers’ massive career as a producer, performing most of his number one hits. Daft Punk, David Bowie, Madonna and Sister Sledge were amongst the artists covered as they got the crowd going for Duran Duran, who shouted out “Beamish and Tripe and Drisheen.” Thanks, Niall.
Congrats to Cork band The Cliffords who had their first outing at Glastonbury last weekend. Spotted in amongts the flags at their gig was a red and white one with the word Corcaigh. You love to see it.
Sticking with Beamish: The Heineken-owned stout is (we refuse to say dropping) is releasing a very-retro football shirt later this month in Sin É. This one will no doubt be snapped up by mullet-wearing hipsters. That said, the O’Neill’s-made jersey is tasty.
District Magazine covered the release with this gibberish: “Beamish has blessed the people with a jersey collaboration with O’Neills, reflecting the roots of the stout. Where better to host such an event than a hub of creativity in Cork – Sin É.
“The culture seems to have fallen in love with the retro jersey lately. We’re seeing mouth-watering pieces left, right and centre. Now it’s Beamish’s turn with this gorgeous piece, made by O’Neill’s. It’s a beacon of Beamish heritage and they’ll be dropping very soon.”
The return of the Left Bank? The iconic buildings at Farren’s Quay, which have been derelict for decades, are to be renovated, but on top that, the developers revealed that they plan to reopen the Left Bank Bar, which sits in the basement. The Kelleher brothers, who own the building, revealed that they will try and lease it out to an operator. The only basement bar in Cork City, the premises even extends into a small room under Shandon Street. Watch this space.
Noonan Road works to begin: The Echo reported on Tuesday that demolition is to begin on the flats at Noonan Road, which have been suffering from crumbling masonry, damp, mould, and rodent infestation. The demolition of blocks 2 and 4, which are number 13-28 and 45-60 Noonan Road, are currently up for public consultation, while some of the other flats are yet to be fully vacated. Other flats that are to be demolished, on Fort Street and Dean Street, are still yet to be vacated. No plans have been published on what will replace the site yet, but you could probably expect something along the lines of Rutland Square on White Street, or the Nancy Spain’s site on Barrack Street.
Movement on Roches Stores: A planning permission sign has been erected outside the eyesore that is the Debenhams/Roches Stores building on Patrick Street, outlining proposals for the site. The development will feature four retail units, three facing Patrick Street and one facing Maylor Street.
The Irish Examiner reported that this marks the first of two planning applications for the site, with the eastern section (facing Maylor Street) forming part of a separate submission. The newspaper also noted that Urban Outfitters is set to open its second Irish store on Patrick Street this September, occupying the former Evans unit.
Cork super cup: Despite a poor season so far, Cork City will be in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday for the Cork Super Cup, a friendly against Celtic FC. Adam Idah will be expected to make a return to his hometown, while Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers stated that he will play a full strength team in an interview with CelticTV. The match on Leeside will be Celtic’s second preseason friendly of the summer, as they take on the Glaswegian Championship (Scottish Second Division) side Queen’s Park today.
And finally, lovely to see the diggers in Railway Park, St Luke’s! The crew there are flat out installing an activity track, turning it into a proper recreational green space.
And really finally: Whether you’re heading to Croke Park or watching from home (Corcaigh Abú!), Pots & Pans in the English Market is the spot for flags. Get in there.
Out +About
🎸 The Dose Weekender got underway last night in Plugd, and it continues tonight at Dali with electronic musicians Ellll, Capricorn, and Japhet Santana. Its a day thing tomorrow at Test Site, with Dublin composer Mel Keane and experimental band Anenome performing with Alannah Dunford, while Dali welcomes Async, Reflekta, and inkscreen. There will be Sunday football in Railway Park with Railway FC and 1815 FC. Tickets are available here.
Time, date, place: 8pm, Friday July 4, Dali, Lavitt’s Quay, Cork; 3pm, Saturday July 5, Test Site, Kyrl’s Quay, Cork; 8pm, Saturday July 5, Dali, Lavitt’s Quay, Cork; 1pm, Sunday June 6, Railway Park, Grattan Hill, Cork.
🎶 The West Cork chamber music festival enters its second weekend with events around West Cork, and a total of 57 concerts will have taken place when the series reaches its finale. Every day features a morning ‘Coffee Concert’, a ‘Crespo Series’ concert, a ‘Main Concert’, and a ‘Candlelit Late Night’ concert, with the finale at 7:30pm on Sunday. Tickets are available here.
Time, date, place: Until Sunday July 6, Around Bantry.
🎸The West Cork Reggae Fest, a day festival in Connolly’s of Leap, takes place on Sunday. Presented by Etéreo Sounds, the lineup features, Cian Finn, one of Ireland’s leading reggae artists, DMac Burns, who delivers powerful, soul-laced vocals over reggae rhythms, six-piece fusion of reggae, funk and psychedelic soul Mango Moon’s, and Guadeloupe’s DJ Gwada Mike. Tickets available here.
Time, date, place: 3pm-10pm, Sunday July 6, Connolly’s of Leap.
🎨 Sirius Arts Centre will be hosting a Summer Art Club for children with artist Fabby Scaglioni. The activities promote creativity, making and experimentation related to stories, ideas and images associated in Cobh. It runs for two weeks, with the first week running between Monday July 7 and Friday July 11. More information and tickets here.
Time, date, place: Monday July 7-Friday July 25, Sirius Arts Centre, Westbourne Place, Cobh.
🖼️ The Outlaws, a collective of artists based in the city, are currently exhibiting their works at the Laneway Gallery in Shandon. Featuring twelve artists, the exhibition, Third Mission in Shandon, explores themes of people, nature, surrealism, science fiction, sensory perception, Irish mythology and memory. More information here.
Time, date, place: Until Saturday July 26, Laneway Gallery, Shandon Street, Cork.
🎸Cork Rocks for Rory has reached its end, but there are still a few more exhibitions to check out around the city. You can see some of Gallagher’s main guitars at the Cork Public Museum until December, while his handwritten lyrics and books are on display in the City Library until August. More information here.
Time, date, place: Until Thursday August 14, Cork City Library, Grand Parade, Cork; Until December, Cork Public Museum, Fitzgerald Park, Cork.
♖ Carve it in stone: Stone carver Tommy Lysaght, who carved the chess tables outside Myo cafe on Pope’s Quay, is holding two one-day master classes on July 19 and 20 in the Tracton Arts Centre in Minane Bridge where he’ll help you carve your own chess table. You can contact Tommy on 087 268 3762 to reserve your place.
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 weekend.