A number of exciting public realm projects will make Cork City centre more attractive for recreation, business and cultural activity.
Grand Parade Quarter and New City Library a €61 million investment in the Grand Parade Quarter will rejuvenate the area by upgrading the public realm around South Main Street, Tobin Street, Tuckey Street, Frenche’s Quay, Crosses Green, Wandesford Quay, and Proby’s Quay. It includes improved access to Bishop Lucey Park, Elizabeth Fort, St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral and the planned Events Centre on the site of the former Beamish & Crawford Brewery.
A central element of the redevelopment of the Grand Parade Quarter is a new purpose designed city library that will facilitate up to 1,000,000 visits a year. Planning has started on the library, which will be delivered in the medium term Works are underway on the revitalisation of Bishop Lucey Park which will open up the park to Grand Parade and South Main Street, providing a safe and more attractive place or people to meet.
Bishop Lucey Park Renewal at a Glance
The recently completed MacCurtain Street Public Transport Improvement Scheme has provided both residents and businesses in the area with an upgraded public realm, 1.6km of new cycle lanes, 17 upgraded pedestrian crossings, 12 new bus stops, and 30,000 m2 of resurfaced roadways.
Morrison’s Island
The Morrison’s Island Public Realm and Flood Protection Scheme, one of the most significant city centre improvement projects, is to commence construction the summer of this year.
The regeneration of the Morrison’s Island quayside and surrounding areas will be transformational. What is now predominantly a car park will become a public amenity. The incorporation of a safe south facing riverside walkway and cycleway, the restoration of the many heritage assets along this length of the Morrison’s Island quayside and the opening up of river access points will mean river views and usage will be significantly improved.
All this is good news for the many who use the quay on a daily basis including Cork School of Music, Cork College of Further Education and Training and the planned Cork University
Business School (CUBS) campus.
The approach to the regeneration has been informed by a clear strategy supported by conservation experts. Existing features of architectural and heritage interest have been neglected or overlooked through the years. These elements of cultural heritage interest will be restored and will become key features of the area.The existing cut limestone quay walls are an important part of the city’s heritage. No removal of the existing quay walls in Morrison’s Island is proposed. Fr. Matthew Quay and Morrison’s Quay are to be cleaned, repointed and grouted in order to ensure their future stability and integrity.
River views and access along Morrison’s Island will be significantly enhanced by removing perpendicular parking and constructing a new riverside pedestrian and cycling corridor, and reopening a number of access points which have been closed for decades.
A new boardwalk is being created on Union Quay, a new viewing platform is being created at Parnell Plaza and the approaches to Trinity Bridge are being enhanced.
The Morrison’s Island Scheme also includes integrated flood defences which will provide much needed flood protection to a large area within the city centre which suffers from frequent tidal flooding. 400 city centre properties will be protected against a one in 100 year tidal flood event, by this scheme.
MacCurtain Street Renewal at a Glance
The MacCurtain Street Public Transport Improvement Scheme, which includes the city quays and adjoining streets, was completed in November 2023 and has delivered on Cork City Council’s goal to enhance access to the city centre.
At the end of 2023, Cork City Council also delivered the Grange to Tramore Valley Park pedestrian and cycle bridge and pathway whichopened up connectivity between Grange, Douglas and the city centre
The scheme gives residents, students and commuters the option to safely walk, wheel or cycle into the city reducing congestion and provides a beautiful, wooded leisure amenity.
Up to 24km new/upgraded cycling infrastructure has been completed between 2020-2023. A further 10km of cycle infrastructure is currently under construction (Mahon, Glanmire, Marina, Ballybrack, Ballincollig) with a programme of other schemes due to enter construction over the next year.
Construction has begun on the 5.6km Mahon Street Renewal Scheme, Cork’s first community-wide streetscape renewal programme aimed at providing safer and healthier streets with better pedestrian and cycle links to schools, shops, sports and leisure facilities. The scheme extends along Ringmahon Road, Skehard Road, Avenue de Rennes, Ballinure Avenue/The Maples and Castle Road.