The Friday View 25/08
We're back! Will Cork County Council continue sponsoring the Ironman after the deaths of two participants? A junior park run starts this weekend in Togher, and a new mural celebrates Tomás MacCurtain.
As has been widely reported, two participants in last weekend’s Ironman triathlon died during the swimming event which took place in Youghal. The two men, Brendan Wall and Ivan Chittenden, got into trouble in the far-from-ideal conditions and tragically lost their lives.
Deaths in Ironman competitions are not new: this year alone, there have been seven deaths in all Ironman competitions globally (including the two men who died in Youghal). In the aftermath of the Ironman in east Cork, a war of words has broken out between the Ironman organisers and Triathlon Ireland, who were the first to publicly state they did not sanction the swimming event. (Ironman disputes the timing of when they were informed by Triathlon Ireland.) Incidentally, on the Ironman website, the Youghal swim course is listed as "voted third best swim course."
Staying with the Ironman website, it says the competition is "presented" by Cork County Council. On the same day that the two men died, the local authority issued a press release expressing its sympathy and extending condolences to the families of the dead men.
Cllr. Frank O'Flynn, the mayor of Cork County, spoke on Monday morning on Morning Ireland and repeated these messages, while also honing in on how well-organised and marshalled the event was. However, the subsequent dispute between Ironman and Triathlon Ireland contradicts this.
While the events leading up to the swimming race are still unclear, what’s also uncertain is the future of the event in Cork and the County Council’s support for it. Tripe + Drisheen contacted the County Council for clarification earlier in the week. On Tuesday, the local authority issued a press release outlining the details of their sponsorship of the event.
From that press release, it stated that its role in the event extends to:
the organisation of road closure permits
the use by Ironman of certain Council facilities in Youghal (buildings, car park, public areas)
the provision of extended cleansing operations, the provision of waste collection, utilities (water and electricity), and storage areas.
The press release goes on to say that the Council does not have any “responsibility for the management and operation of the event and any decisions related to the races proceeding, nor indeed the different elements of the individual races”.
The Council allocates a significant investment to Ironman in terms of resources and personnel, but it’s clear they have no governance over the race. What’s way less clear is whether Ironman will continue in Youghal when the full facts emerge of how the swimming race was allowed to proceed and if Cork County Council will continue to support the event. This is something which the Council’s lawyers will surely be poring over if they haven’t already been.
-JJ
Planning watch
In a sign of the times, South Mall, once a signature street of business and banks, could see residential apartments coming into the mix if a planning application by Swiss Property Management Limited receives the green light from Cork City Council.
Earlier this month, the company applied for planning permission to convert Carbery House on the corner of Cook Street and the Mall into 17 apartments, comprising a mix of one, two, three, and studio apartments.
The Irish Examiner reported that a Swiss-based investor bought Carbery House in 2022 for close to €2m. Carbery House is about as bog standard an office building as there is, but the transition from office to residential use likely aligns with the significant demand for accommodation and the shift towards remote working. It will be interesting to see the approach taken by Meithal Architects in the conversion if city planners give their approval. A decision is expected in mid-October. More details here.
T+D photo competition: Summer in the city and county
Thanks to Des O’Donoghue (no relation!) for the lovely shot taken out the window of a Ryanair flight on approach to Cork Airport. For one of the wettest Julys on record, Des did well to capture the setting sun.
News in brief
Park run, where little legends start: The first junior park run in the city takes place this weekend in Clashuv Park, Togher. I was out at the community garden earlier in the Spring talking with Mona El Kafsi, who along with Stephen Scully from Cork City Council, has been instrumental in getting the run off the ground.
Junior park runs take quite a bit of organising, because even though the route is only 2 kilometres, volunteers need to be staggered throughout the length of the course. Parents or guardians do not have to join in, but under 11s will need to be accompanied to and from the course. The run is designed for kids between the ages of 4-14, and participants are asked to walk (run), cycle, use public transport or car pool. The run will take place every Sunday, but you’ll need to register first here. Full details about the course and much else.
“Clear our paths”: When it comes to the policing of dog fouling and the responsibility of picking it up (or not), local authorities across Ireland have more or less decided that it should be self-policing. Fines for dog owners who, pardon the pun, do not give a shit about picking up their dog’s excrement, are as rare as elephants swimming in The Lough. Last year, Cork City Council issued a grand total of one fine for dog fouling. The County Council did slightly better – it didn't have to try very hard – and handed out 17 fines in 2022.
None of this is new news, but details of a survey released this week by the National Council of the Blind (NCBI) should hopefully give the minority of dog owners who break the social contract pause to consider what they’re not doing.
As part of its “Clear our Paths” campaign, the NCBI is calling on dog owners and drivers to show respect to the vision impaired and blind people by picking up dog excrement and not obstructing paths. This also extends to people with disabilities and those in wheelchairs.
While it’s something most of us don’t consider, as we can usually see dog fouling, vision impaired and blind people have to contend with unknowingly threading a cane through dog fouling, then folding it up and handling it, all because a dog owner couldn't be bothered doing the responsible thing.
As Cllr Oliver Moran (Green Party) said in a statement: “Dog fouling continues to be a problem across the city. It's absolutely correct for the NCBI to highlight it. Groups that are particularly affected by it are young children and people with disabilities, especially people with vision impairments and wheelchair users.”
Cllr Moran called on the City Council to take a renewed approach to stamping out dog fouling, adding that the most effective measure he’s come across is “residents' groups who mark dog fouling with special fluorescent paint. This serves to highlight the fouling and would appear to embarrass the person leaving it behind.”
Or, and wait for it, the City Council could have wardens on the case and fine transgressors, just like they do with drivers who disobey the rules when parking.
Beauty is in the eye of architects: Congratulations are in order for the Dean Hotel for getting itself into the headlines for the rights reasons: it’s the only Irish winner at the International Architecture Award. It’s the second year in a row that Wilson Architecture, the architects behind the black box hotel on Horgan’s Quay have been nominated.
The Dean made the headlines on T+D earlier this year when Reddit users flooded Google with negative reviews over the hotel’s use of light columns which needlessly pierced the night sky. After ignoring calls to turn the lights off for years, The Dean quickly got the message, and have since started turning off the “bat-signals” at midnight. Presumably reviews of The Dean can now reflect on what an interesting-looking building the hotel is.
A mural fit for a Lord Mayor: And finally, former Lord Mayor of Cork Tomás MacCurtain has been memorialised with a new mural on the corner of Coburg Street and Bridge Street, and appropriately enough right across the way from MacCurtain Street. The entire area is getting a significant upgrade.
The new mural is a collaboration between co-organisers of Ardú Street Art Festival, Shane O’Driscoll and Peter Martin and it commemorates the cultural role of Tomás MacCurtain. It’s also the culmination of a project with Transition Year students from St. Angela’s and Christian Brothers College.
The City Council in its social media posts publicising the new mural (it provides financial support to Ardú) does not mention the the letters VQ or the words Victorian Quarter.
Out + About
Masters of Tradition is taking place in Bantry this week, with some of the biggest names in Irish folk performing. A secret gig takes place today at 12:30pm at Saint Brendan’s Church. Meanwhile, tonight at 10:30pm, in the library at Bantry House, folk legend Luka Bloom will be joined by renowned traditional guitarist Steve Cooney and British classical guitarist Laura Snowden. If you’re in West Cork this weekend, this is definitely worth a look. Program and tickets available here.
Time, date, place: 10:30pm, Friday August 25, Bantry House, Bantry.
Dose return to Test Site tomorrow with Living Room, an ambient experimental night of artists, producers and DJs usually based in Lisbon. The lineup consists of Portuguese musician Usof, Hungarian dance musician Asio Otus, guitarist and electronic musician Eneko Zarazua, and Portuguese DJ Carolf, for a night of ambient and experimental dreamscapes. This will be taking place in tandem with a show by the All Ireland Tour in Plugd, a collection of independent Irish artists attempting to put on a show in all 32 counties. Singer-songwriters Isaac Jones and Passersby are joined by Olan Monk, Seán Being and Danish musician Spellcaster, who will be performing as a trio. Tickets for Test Site are €21, while combo tickets which give you access to both Test Site and Plugd are €28, both are available here.
Time, date, place: 5pm, Saturday August 26, Test Site, Kyrl’s Quay and Plugd, Cornmarket Street, Cork.
DeBarra-Palooza “There’s Carnegie Hall, The Royal Albert, Sydney Opera House – and then there’s DeBarra’s”, Christy Moore once said. The legendary Clonakilty venue turns forty this weekend, and to celebrate, they’re putting on a free, weekend-long festival. Tonight sees Limerick band Windings and DJ Naive Ted playing the venue, while tomorrow, The Céilí Allstars, the West Cork Ukulele Orchestra, Rawney, The Monks, The Kates, Christopher Luke, and others, play the venue from 3pm until close. Details and lineup for Friday here and Saturday here.
Time, date, place: 7:30pm, Friday August 25, and 3pm, Saturday August 26, DeBarras Folk Club, Pearse Street, Clonakilty.
Gliogar Dublin based experimental/post punk band Rising Damp play Gliogar’s monthly gig in the Corner House. Led by visual artist and noise musician Michelle Doyle, who is known for her unconventional performances, their music fuses the energy of electronic body music and punk. They are supported by White Sage, the musical alter ego of Andy Walsh, who runs the independent Dublin record shop and label Little Gem Records.
Time, date, place: 8pm, Friday August 25, The Corner House, Coburg Street, Cork.
The annual Sample-Studios Members’ Summer Exhibition has been taking place this month in the Lord Mayor’s Pavilion, showcasing new work by members and features paintings, drawing, print, sculpture, photography, installation and mixed media. Featured artists include Elinor O’Donovan, who recently exhibited at Generator Projects in Dundee. Other artists include Ava Hayes, Petrina Shortt and Rebecca Bradley. More information here.
Time, date, place: Tuesday - Saturday, 11am - 5pm and Sunday, 1-5pm, Thursday August 10 - Saturday September 2, 2023, The Lord Mayor’s Pavilion, The Mardyke, Cork.
The Woodford hosts a Craft Fair this Sunday, with locally handmade crafts, bags, art, jewellery, knitwear all on the menu. Organised by local crafter À La Maeve, the fair closes out the city’s craft month. Pop in and see what you find!
Time, date, place: 12pm-5pm, Sunday August 27, The Woodford, Paul Street, Cork.
The gigs continue at Half Moon Place, with Sarah Hickey performing in the space today at 12pm today. The Cork-based singer songwriter is known for her reflective music, and has just released a new single, ‘Looking For Trouble’.
Time, date, place: 12pm, Friday August 25, Half Moon Place, Cork Opera House, Emmet Place, Cork.
Togher Community Garden volunteer and marine biologist Alfonso Cohuo will hold a talk about the biodiversity of sharks, rays and skate, along with the impact that climate change and offshore windfarms have on their habitats, from 12 until 1 on Saturday, at the Togher Community Garden.
Time, date, place: 12pm-1pm, Saturday August 26, Togher Community Garden, Clashduv Park, Togher.
Mighty mahjong-ing. There’ll be mahjong in Cork, in the Rockies to be precise this weekend. To the hallowed grounds of Blackrock Hurling club comes Mahjong, a board game originally from China. On arrival to Japan, the board was game was slightly adapted and a good few centuries later a Cork club started up playing the game (earlier this year to be precise) of riichi mahjong, as it’s known in Japan. The event in Blackrock is open to all, especially to anyone who would like to get an idea of what it’s all about and meet the players. More details here.
Time, date, place: All day Saturday and until 3:30pm on Sunday, August 26&27, Balckrock Hurling Club, Church Road, Blackrock.
This week on T+D:
On Wednesday, we eased back into business this week with a trip to Lady’s Well Brewery for the launch of Sounds from a Safe Habour. You can read about who’s on the cards for the bi-annual festival (Cillian Murphy et al) here. Promises to be a great music, arts and food festival.
T+D on Instagram
If you’re on Intsagram you might notice that we’re going to be posting more there, especially as Kilian McCann has been designing new posters for the Out + About section, just for Instagram. It’s all a bit meta, but Twitter, or X, under Elon Musk, is a different beast and he’s has some beef with Substack, the platform we use to publish Tripe + Drisheen. Anyway, this is a roundabout way of saying, you can follow what’s going on on Tripe on Instagram (and Twitter and Facebook), but Instagram is where we’ll start posting our new stories. You can of course also ignore everything on Instagram and all social media platforms. Which you should.
And finally, congratulations to the class of 2023 as you get your Leaving Cert results this morning. One hurdle, hurdled. Many, many more to come. Maybe, this is one you can read for another day, but some T+D readers from around the world who’ve been through it shared their thoughts of the exam and what comes afterwards earlier this summer.
That’s it for this week’s Friday View. Any tips, news or events you’d like to share with Tripe+Drisheen, you can contact us via our About page here. 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.
