The Friday View 16/08
☀️And we're back! So too is the summer weather for the next few minutes. We have a bumper edition in this week's FV - let's get to it!
You love to see it: You wait a lifetime for an outdoor table tennis table, and then two come along. Meet two of the city’s newest additions: a pair of concrete table tennis tables installed by the City Council this summer in Tramore Valley Park. The park is open until 10 p.m. throughout the summer, and the tables are located at the northern end, next to the last car park. Ireland has never had an Olympic table tennis player, but maybe additions like these two tables can change that
A 50 metre pool, on pallets: Sticking with sports, it emerged this week that Cork has a 50-meter swimming pool. Fact. Another fact: that pool is 'hidden' in storage on pallets in Douglas. T+D is not proud that we weren’t on this story earlier, because what could be bigger news than the second-biggest city in the Republic not having an Olympic-size pool? Well, having one.
The Irish Times reported this week that the six-lane pool was shipped to Cork from Birmingham in May, having been purchased by Dolphin Swimming Club from Birmingham City Council following the Commonwealth Games, which were held in the city in 2022. Dolphin clubbed together to purchase the modular pool for €100,000. (The irony of Ireland buying Commonwealth cast offs is not lost on us).
And so now begins the process of finding €3 million (the club’s estimation) to get it off the pallets and installed (possibly in Glanmire). To do so, they’ll be looking for significant funding from the public sector (by way of grants) and also from private sources (hence the GoFundMe page that was set up this week).
You have to admire Dolphin for grabbing the bull by the horns on this one, but the club’s swimmers will still be making the trip to the University of Limerick’s 50m pool for a while yet. It also remains to be seen what deal will be worked out for public access if and when the pool sees the light of day
On Tuesday, it was announced that Eoin French, the driving force behind Talos, died after a short illness. The news of his death sent shockwaves through the Irish music scene. His wake and funeral, which he had planned himself, took place at Connolly’s of Leap, with performances from both Irish and Icelandic musicians.
Active as Talos since 2013, French first became known in the local music scene through the band Hush War Cry. Many in the music industry paid tribute to Eoin’s talent and generosity. DJ and music promoter Stevie G said, 'Eoin was brilliant at everything he did!' and praised him for remaining sincere and grounded throughout his career.
'I’ve seen artists change once they even get a hint of success, but Eoin French remained as humble as when I first met him in the Pav, when Hush War Cry were just one of many great young hopes vying for a shot.'
Eoin was also involved with the Sounds From a Safe Harbour festival and designed many of its posters and merchandise. 'Eoin was, and always will be, part of the fabric of SFSH,' the festival team wrote. 'We will struggle but eventually settle into the reality that he is all around us, within us, guiding us.'
May he rest in peace.
Who enforces? This week, we reported on the awning that hangs across the front of the Shelbourne Bar on MacCurtain Street, which Cork City Council said falls foul of planning laws. While we didn’t have a comment from the Shelbourne owner in that story, we did ask. The Irish Examiner followed up our story with a comment from Philip Gillivan, in which he confirmed he was appealing the Council’s decision to An Bord Pleanála and that he would respect their decision. That’s fair, and he has gone on record as saying so, although you’d imagine, given the consensus from the City Council’s planners, engineers, and conservation officer on the matter, it’s unlikely ABP will be swayed. We all have to live with the decisions we make and how legislation is applied.
But what if you don’t have to? What if legislation and warning letters can be, well, ignored? For instance, in April 2022, Cork City Council served Cashman’s Bar on Academy Street with a warning letter about the temporary structure they erected for punters on Paul Street. You could argue, 'Sure, what’s the harm?' But that’s not the argument here at all. That walled-off space is public space (on a narrow street), and there are rules about how public space is allocated and governed. But in the absence of enforcement and/or penalties, what is a warning letter but a slap on the wrist? Life goes on, and so does land grabbing and a culture of cowboy-ism. Enforcement is not easy, but it is necessary.
Affordable homes: Some welcome news from City Hall this week is that, subject to planning, more than 200 homes are in the works on the quay site where the Sextant Bar once stood. Good. The bar was knocked during the pandemic and has stood gloriously empty since. Councillors, who have more to say than this newsletter, were quick to share their thoughts.
Cue Independent Cllr Paudie Dineen, who welcomed the building plans but expressed concern that the new development comes without car parking. His point was that you can’t rely on the city’s public transport (and therefore, we need to build car parks with new developments). Cllr Dineen is right about the state of public transport. But does every new development need car parking space
Currently, the Dutch city of Utrecht is building a massive housing development in Merwede that will be home to 12,000 people, and they’re making it a car-free zone. It will be serviced by 20,000 bikes and public transport.
One man who definitely knows a thing or two about how the people of Utrecht get around is Cllr Dineen. Earlier this year, he was one of nearly half a dozen Cork City Councillors to go on a cycle study junket to the Dutch city, all paid for by the National Transport Authority.
During our short break, Cork athletes continued to outdo themselves. Rowers Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan brought home gold from Paris (and even snagged a lift from Dublin Airport with a kind stranger heading to Mallow—well, the pair would have been waiting a decade for a metro to Dublin city centre). Last Sunday, Cork's Intermediate and Senior camogie teams had a day to remember when they beat Kilkenny and Galway respectively in their All-Ireland finals. Meanwhile, Phil Healy from Ballineen and her teammates came agonisingly close to a bronze medal in the women’s 4x400m relay final. The margins between winning and losing are so close, but what an incredible run from the four women.
What goes up, isn’t coming down: Data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) this week revealed that house prices just keep rising. As you can see from the screen grab above, the median price of a house in Ballincollig increased by nearly €25,000 in 12 months. The main driver: supply—or rather, the lack of it.
In the South West region (Cork and Kerry), house prices increased by 9.4% in the 12 months to June 2024, with the median price of a home on the Southside of Cork city now at €357,000. Across the country, house prices are now 10% higher than the peak of the property boom in 2007.
The scaffolding came down on the MTU Gallery on Grand Parade by the National Monument this week. The street facing side of the building is whiter than the White House again (not so much the river side which has got its own unsanctioned exhibition of graffiti from Cork letter writers). All this month as part of Cork Craft Month, the Emerge graduate exhibition showcases some beautiful work from talented crafters such as Sarah O’Connell (bottom left) and Caroline Heskin (top right).
Shandon 2.0: Finally, a plan—or the beginnings of one—is in the works for Shandon, aiming to revive what is truly an area of historic and architectural importance. Tomorrow, Saturday, 17 August, all day at the Firkin Crane, the City Council is inviting locals and the people of Cork to come by and share their thoughts on what works and what doesn’t as part of an Integrated Urban Strategy for the Northside neighborhood. The survey can also be completed online here.
As a resident of the area, I’m fully aware of its potential and the number of tourists who visit. But I wonder what they think when they see the city’s quaintest area in such a dilapidated state.
Shandon is like its own town within the city, with its own main street and a community centred around its shops and pubs. It doesn’t only include the area around the Bells and the Butter Exchange; to the west of Shandon Street, on Blarney Street, Wolfe Tone Street, and Cattle Market Avenue, is where many of Shandon’s residents live. These areas, along with Pope’s Quay, are also included within the scope of this plan
Shandon is also one of Cork’s most diverse areas, with a mix of African, Asian, and Irish businesses found on Shandon Street, Pope’s Quay, and Blarney Street. However, at the moment, Shandon has many derelict sites and buildings in need of a bit of TLC.
Church Street, leading up to the Shandon Bells, has a few empty pubs that could be revived. Shandon could also be a great place for people to relax. Much of the outdoor seating, similar to that found around Myo’s on Pope’s Quay, could be beneficial for the rest of the area.
The streets aren’t very busy, and there might be merit in greater pedestrianisation, although this may not be practical for car owners in the area.
A return to use for the Butter Exchange would also be welcomed, although the future of the building remains unclear.
Ellie wrote in-depth about Shandon and the grand plans for the Shandon tech hub (the Shandon Exchange), which currently exists solely as a website. The City Council has invested in ambitious plans for Shandon before. - KMc
Let them eat Clonakilty black pudding: The weather played nice Wednesday night, August 14, for the VQ Shared Table experience which took place on MacCurtain Street. A place at the table cost €150, and one local wag has started to calling the area the Vibration Quarter. Get it!
Out + About
Go west: Running until the end of August at the West End Art Studios in Mallow, 'Follow the Red Thread' is an exhibition of contemporary textile art by eight recent graduates from MTU Crawford College of Art and Design’s Special Purpose Award in Art Textile. The exhibition features work from artists Theresa Connolly, Claudia Hernandez-Espinosa, Laurie Manning, Áine Sealy, Kay Roche, Marjan Vos, Patsy Atkinson, and Sarah Buckley, and includes wall-hung and sculptural pieces such as weaving, crochet, stitching, felting, printing, and natural dyes.
Time, date, place: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11am-5pm until 25 August, 160 West End, Mallow
What does an art gallery conservator do, specifically the Crawford Art Gallery’s conservator? If you’ve ever wondered, you have the chance to find out as Dr. Chiara Chillè from the Crawford will be talking about her work and the collection today. It’s a chance to see some of the collection before the builders move in later this year and the gallery closes its doors for a two-year upgrade. Tickets and info here.
Time, date, place: 1:15pm - 2pm, Friday, August 16, The Crawford Art Gallery, Emmett Place,
The Lee Rowing Club down at the Marina is getting a makeover this summer as a live music and performance venue for a series of events called Magic Nights by the Lee. You wouldn’t miss much if you missed some of what’s on, but one man who certainly draws a crowd wherever he goes across Ireland is John Spillane, who has a new album coming out next month. Spillane will be joined by Polly Barrett and DJ Tosh tomorrow night for what promises to be a magical evening by the Lee. Tickets and info here.
Time, date, place: 7pm, Saturday, August 17, The Lee Rowing Club
There’s lots going on for Cork Heritage Open Day, which takes place tomorrow, Saturday, August 17, from walks and talks to guided tours. You can get the full rundown on the City Council website here, but among the events is a chance to board the LÉ Aoibhinn. Previously owned and manned by the New Zealand Navy, this naval vessel is 55 meters long and can reach top speeds of 25 knots, just over 45 km/h. She’ll be docked at the City Docks and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free entry.
Movie of the week: As part of the Triskel Arts Theatre’s celebration of Hollywood supremo Paul Verhoeven, they’re showcasing some of his best work throughout the summer. This weekend, it’s the turn of Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, and Jeanne Tripplehorn in the Hitchcockian noir thriller Basic Instinct. Tickets and more info here.
Time, date, place: 7pm, Saturday 17 August, Triskel Arts Centre, Tobin St
The Cork on a Fork Festival finishes up this week, and it would be remiss not to mention Callahan’s, which has something special lined up for those who love wine, wheat, and sourdough bread. The Sourdough and Wine Harvest event brings together producer Benjamin Lebon from Seeds Bakery in Kinsale, Dr. Fanny Leenhardt-Cohalan, and Pascal Rossignol from Le Cave Wine Merchants. They will be behind the bar, offering samples to attendees. It’s not Beamish, but we’ll take it. Tickets and more info here.
Time, date, place: 3:30 - 5 pm, Saturday August 17, Callanaan’s,24 George’s Quay
The Dream of Horses is an Irish-Catalonian folk band comprising Judy Murphy from Cork on vocals, fiddle, bouzouki, and guitar, and Pep Tàssies from Barcelona on vocals, guitar, bass, and double bass. They will perform at The Roundy on Sunday, with support from singer-songwriters Faoi Bhláth and James Keegan. Preceded by some trad music at 5 p.m., it sounds like an ideal evening to close out your weekend with some great folk music. Tickets are available at the door.
Time, date, place: 5pm, Sunday August 18, The Roundy, Castle Street.
That’s it for this week’s Friday View.
Any tips, comments, news or events you’d like to share with Tripe+Drisheen, you can contact us via 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.
Oh and great reporting as usual!
It feels like many of our councillors, such as Paudie, would be better off on the council of a small market town rather than Ireland’s second city. Such basic, low level thinking about such projects is unforgivable.