Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has
welcomed the replacement of lead service connections in the Blackrock area to
provide a more reliable water supply and improve water quality. The project is
a collaboration project between Irish Water Cork City Council.
Works are due to be undertaken on the
Blackrock Road (greenway crossing to pier), Church Avenue, Glandore Avenue,
Post Office Avenue, the Marina, Castle Road, Convent Avenue, Rope Walk, Upper
Convent Road, Castle Avenue, Sandy Lane and Dunloe Cottages. This will involve
the replacement of existing lead pipes connecting the public water network to a
customer’s property with modern polyethylene (plastic) pipes. Property owners
will be notified if it is likely that there is lead present within the boundary
of their property. Property owners are responsible for replacing this lead.
Cllr McCarthy noted: “These works have been
called for by local residents for a long time. Works are limited to short
sections to minimise impact on customers. They may involve some short-term
water outages. It is crucial though that the project team engage on the ground
and ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours prior notice of any
planned water outages. A local traffic management needs to be put in place. It
is important that emergency traffic and local traffic, including deliveries,
are maintained at all times”.
Residents and businesses in the areas to
benefit from the planned improvements will be notified directly and customers
can phone Irish Water on 1800 278 278 if they have any questions about the
project.
1121a. The Lough, present day, showing landscaped areas funded by the Irish White Cros fund – footpath kerbing and landscaping were principle elements that can be viewed today (picture: Kieran McCarthy).
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town Article,
Cork Independent, 14 October 2021
Journeys
to a Truce: Landscaping The Lough
In October 1921,
Irish newspaper outlets reported on the second visit of representatives of the
American Committee for the Relief of Irish Distress. They came to view sites of
devastation plus also how their White Cross fund was being distributed.
Founded in
December 1920, the Committee for the Relief of Irish Distress was founded in
America by Dr
William J Maloney, a Republican cause sympathiser. The committee was inspired by the many charitable
organisations that went out from the United States to offer relief in the days
of the First World War. The committee influenced a series of great drives for
funds, which were organised throughout 48 States of America. In a short period
of time, it had at its command a large sum – approximately five million dollars
– for the relief of people in Ireland.
From the establishment
of the committee American members of the Religious Society of Friends were
prominent in the ranks of its active members. In January 1921, several members
of the latter group with experience in relief and reconstruction work in France
and other areas devastated in the great war arrived in Ireland. Their mission lasted
until April 1921. The delegation’s subsequent published report in August 1922 (which
in the present day is now digitally scanned and online) outlines that during their
first visit members visited nearly one hundred communities in Ireland in which
acute distress existed.
Following the
delegation’s first visit, over the ensuing 18 months £788,215 was sent to
Ireland to be distributed through the Irish White Cross in Dublin and down to
parish committees and in the Cork context to the city’s own Distress Committee.
A total of £170,1398 was sent to Cork City to be distributed to those effected
by the Irish War of Independence. For the most part documentation has not
survived of how the Cork fund was spent.
One of the most
prominent projects though of which information has survived was the near £5,000
spent was on the landscaping of The Lough during the summer and autumn of 1921.
Nineteenth century maps of The Lough show the varied shapes of the natural
spring lake, whose volume could grow and substract depending on the rain. It
was also riddled with a build up of mud and overgrowth extending beyond its
island birdlife island.
The 1921 works
programme involved removing a depth of mud from four to ten feet deep in some
places exposing the lake’s gravel bed. The mud was deemed a dangerous feature,
both as a trap during skating times and a danger generator in the summer
months, when the mud was exposed in the hot sun. During the summer and autumn
of 1921, forty to fifty men were employed in the work per week, and in the
short time, they removed hundreds of tons of mud. A Fordson tractor and lorry
were kindly supplied by Messrs Henry Ford and Son. The horse transport and
tools were provided by the Corporation of Cork.
Arising from the
provision of the a horse and tools, the works programme was discussed at the
meetings of Corporation members across September and October 1921. Apart from
the removal of layers of mud, several other features were pursued – the reclaiming
of ground to enable a playground for children, consolidating the immediate path
around the Lough by providing kerbing on the edge of the Lough, creating an
outside path twenty metres from the water’s edge as well as cutting small
canals through the wildlife island to facilitate the further shelter of
birdlife. It is all of the latter landscaping that has created the modern look
of The Lough today.
On 14 October
1921, representatives of the Committee for the Relief of Irish Distress arrived
back in Cork for another tour of Cork City – to hear about its reconstruction
and to hear where possible further fundraised funding could go towards. The notable
US representatives comprised Mr John J Pulleyn, Judge Richard Campbell, Miss
Pulleyn, and Mr and Mrs C J France. In the course of an interview with the Cork
Examiner the delegation outlined they had already visited Dublin, Wicklow,
Wexford, part of Kilkenny and Tipperary.
On arrival by
motor car to the city, they were welcomed by Lord Mayor Donal Óg O’Callaghan
and a number of local councillors. During their visit in Cork they visited the
city centre’s burnt ruins to see the devastation first hand and to hear about
the reconstruction challenges. The took a trip down the harbour with Frank
Daly, the chairman of the Cork Harbour Commissioners, to hear about the port’s
future economic prospects and also took time to kiss the Blarney Stone.
At a packed formal
dinner in the city centre, which was held to mark the stay of the
representatives, a number of speeches were made by. Judge Campbell noted he had
just read what he deemed as one of the “best classics” – The Principles of
Freedom, by Terence McSwiney – a collection of his writings compiled after
his death. He remarked that it was a great honour to speak in front of Terence’s
sister Mary McSwiney. He believed that her brother’s book upon the subject of liberty
would “do honour to any country, and that the author would go down in history
for the part he had played in the fight for liberty”. Mary McSwiney was asked
to reply and she thanked the representatives present for all they had done and
what they were still doing for Ireland, and referenced her brother’s ongoing
legacy to the cause of Irish freedom.
The
representatives Committee for the Relief of Irish Distress left the city to
travel to Bantry and from there to Killarney and Tralee, Limerick, Clare,
Galway, Mayo, Donegal and Belfast before returning to Dublin.
Caption:
1121a. The Lough, present day, showing landscaped areas funded by the Irish White Cros fund – footpath kerbing and landscaping were principle elements that can be viewed today (picture: Kieran McCarthy).
7 October 2021, “Cllr McCarthy explained that Cork City Council Council is also continuing to work with the multitude of landowners on the renewal part of Avenue De Rennes. “What has been revealed is a complex network of over a dozen owners of property in a small area,” he said, He said a substantial packet of investment, probably from central government may be needed to help renew the area, “Welcome for news that vacant building in Mahon will be demolished and redeveloped”, Welcome for news that vacant building in Mahon will be demolished and redeveloped (echolive.ie)
1120a. Noreen and author Timothy R Murray of Courtbrack, Blarney at the recent book launch of A Safe House, One Family’s Fight for Irish Freedom, September 2021 (picture: Kieran McCarthy).
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town Article,
Cork Independent, 7 October 2021
Journeys to a Truce: A Safe House, One
Family’s Fight for Irish Freedom
The book A Safe House, One Family’s Fight for Irish Freedom has
recently been published by Timothy Murray in Courtbrack, Blarney.It is
the story of the Murray family from Courtbrack during 1913-23. Four brothers,
Michael (1890-1957), Timothy (1891-1959), James (1896-1942) and Denis (Sonny) (1894–1966),
as well as their sister Helena (Nell) took an active and leading role in the
local volunteers/IRA and Cumann na mBan.
The
family had an 80 acre farm. Two of the brothers Timothy and James were medical
students but were never destined to finish their studies. With no immediate
hardship the family were willing to risk life and fortune in getting involved
in Ireland’s struggle for freedom.
The
family was inspired by the stories that were told around his family fireplace.
Michael Murray from Tullyniskey Clonakilty came to live in Courtbrack when he
married into the farm of Hanorah Finn in 1883. Michael’s sister Mary Murray
married and gave birth to James O’Brien who in turn fathered Marion O’Brien,
who was the mother of Michael Collins.
In Courtbrack
Michael Murray had three sons and a daughter. His eldest son Denis inherited the
family farm. James became a priest and emigrated to Clinton Iowa in the US and
became a successful and wealthy attorney in law. He never married. The third
son Timothy joined the RIC and retired from the force in 1911.
Three of
the Murray siblings – Nell, Denis and James – have left written accounts of
their activities during the revolutionary period.
Nell
Murray brought an application for a military pension in 1941 which was granted.
This record has been reproduced verbatim in the book. She was a member of
Courtbrack Cumann na mBan. She helped volunteers and supplied outfits for
Easter Week 1916. She supplied food for volunteers after Sunday parades. She
fed and provided beds for brigade officers Tomás MacCurtain, Seán Murphy and
Seán O’Sullivan. Her home was raided twice in Easter Week 1916 by RIC and
military. She reported on military activities and delivered urgent dispatches
to the volunteers in the company area in Gurrane.
In 1917
and 1918 Nell organised the Cumann na mBan in the Courtbrack district whilst
acting as secretary. She attended weekly meetings and drill lessons for
volunteer officers. She attended first-aid lectures and provided beds for
callers from Cork, Kerry, and Dublin – then on the run – as well as to brigade
instructors. She visited men in Cork County Gaol and brought them food and
comforts. During 1919 Nell catered for men
engaged in the manufacturing of munitions on the Murray farm.
Indeed,
several times men would call for the guns. There were shotguns, American rifles
and revolvers. She never had to carry them anywhere outside her own place nor
to go to any attack.
In
December 1920, Nell tried to save her home from fire when the military set fire
to an upstairs room. They burnt the old house on the same evening. In addition,
in late January 1921, she helped the local IRA to get ready for Dripsey Ambush.
The
eldest son, Denis, in 1957 wrote an extensive account of his activities
and the new book reproduces this verbatim. Over 150 pages
are given over to his written up notes. Denis
took an active part in local politics and was a member of the Cork Rural
District Council and the support of the William O’Brienite party. Denis bought
the farm from the landlord in 1908 and married Nora Sullivan from Castletownkinneigh
near Enniskeane. Norah was a formidable woman and took
an active role in the Land League in 1882. She was secretary of the Enniskeane
branch of the Women’s Auxiliary Organisation of the Land League in the 1880s.
Denis outlines
that Courtbrack was one of the first rural areas in County Cork to have
its own company of Irish volunteers. Established on Sunday 9 August 1914, the
local parish priest Father Shinnick encouraged young men to join. On the first
afternoon they even took part in their first drill.
For
Easter Sunday 1916 the company set out on the road to Bweeng, the collecting
point for the mid Cork companies. They were armed with 12 rifles, 12 shotguns,
six revolvers and 20 Pikes. Some hours later the Courtbrack company was stood
down along with other mid to north Cork companies by Tomás MacCurtain.
On the
morning of 30 August 1917 Denis Murray and volunteer Michael O’Sullivan were
arrested by a force of RIC and were removed to Cork Military Barracks but would
not be accepted so the escort took them to the Cork County Gaol.
On 19
September 1917 Denis and two others were removed with a police escort from Cork
County Gaol to Mountjoy Prison. There Denis took part in a hunger strike.
Almost a month later Dennis was moved to Dundalk Gaol. He was released in mid-November
1917.
Fast
forward to Spring 1920 and the Courtbrack company was a ‘well-oiled’ unit.
Denis’s home was often raided but despite this, company meetings continued to
be held one night each week. In the period April 1920 to March 1921 Denis
outlines manoeuvres involving the Turpin’s Rock Ambush, Inniscarra Ambush, the
Courtbrack Ambush position plus the defence of mid County Cork.
A Safe
House, One Family’s Fight for Irish Freedom by Timothy
R Murray is a great and enlightening addition to the story of the War of Independence
especially in mid County Cork. The book is available from various shops in
Blarney and Cloghroe plus also can be bought from the author, Timothy R Murray
at 087 663 9750.
Caption:
1120a.
Noreen and author Timothy R Murray of Courtbrack, Blarney at the recent book
launch of A Safe House, One Family’s Fight for Irish Freedom, September 2021 (picture: Kieran McCarthy).
“The
permission for the mixed use development scheme is very welcome. For many
years, the look of the former Lakelands bar building on the outside has been
terrible. The large craters in the private car park have been in dire need of
resurfacing. Part of the planning conditions now stipulate that re-surfacing of
that section of the car park has to be done. A new pedestrian crossing
will also appear adjacent the site on Avenue De Rennes.”
“Cork City Council Council is also continuing to work with the multitude of landowners on this part of Avenue De Rennes. What has been revealed is a complex network of over a dozen owners of property in a small area. Such a network complicates the short term renewal of this part of Avenue de Rennes. What has become very apparent is the area needs a substantial packet of investment, probably from central government, so that the legal complexities can be began to unpicked, legal titles with liquidated owners gathered, and then new plans drawn up. Hopefully any success of the Lakelands investment will attract more investors for the benefit of the wider area of the avenue ”.
Press Coverage: 1 October 2021, ” Earlier this year, when plans for the redevelopment of the site emerged, Independent Councillor Kieran McCarthy said it was “really positive” for Mahon and had been “a long time coming”, Former Cork bar to be demolished and redeveloped, Former Cork bar to be demolished and redeveloped (echolive.ie)
1119a. Front cover of 2021-2022 brochure for Discover Cork Schools’ Heritage Project.
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town Article,
Cork Independent, 30 September 2021
Launch of Discover Cork: Schools’ Heritage
Project, Year 20
It
is great to reach year 20 of the Discover Cork: Schools’ Heritage Project. It
is just slightly younger than this column but both this column, the school
project and the walking tours are all about popularising more of Cork’s history
and story for interested citizens and the next generation.
Over
15,000-16,000 students have participated in the Schools’ Heritage Project
through the years with many topics researched and written about – from
buildings and monuments to people’s stories and memories.
Covid-19
has brought many challenges to every part of society and never before has our
locality and its heritage being so important for recreation and for our peace
of mind. In the past eighteenth months, more focus than ever before has been
put on places and spaces we know, appreciate, and attain personal comfort from.
The
Schools’ Heritage Project is aimed at both primary and post primary level. Project books may be submitted on any aspect
of Cork’s rich past. The theme for this year’s project is “Cork Heritage
Treasures”. Funded by Cork City Council, the Project is an initiative of the
Cork City Heritage Plan.
The Project is open to schools in Cork City at primary level to the
pupils of fourth, fifth and sixth class and at post-primary from first to sixth
years. There are two sub categories within the post primary section, Junior
Certificate and Leaving Certificate. The project is free to enter. A student
may enter as an individual or as part of a group or a part of a class entry.
Co-ordinated by myself, one of the key aims of the Project is to
encourage students to explore, investigate and debate their local heritage
(built, archaeological, cultural and natural) in a constructive, active and fun
way. Projects on any aspect of Cork’s rich heritage can be submitted to an
adjudication panel. Prizes are awarded for best projects and certificates are
given to each participant. A cross-section of projects submitted from the last
school season can be gleamed from links on my website, www.corkheritage.ie
where there are other resources, former titles and winners and entry
information as well.
Students produce a project on their local area using primary and
secondary sources. Each participating student within their class receives a
free workshop in October 2021. The workshop comprises a guide to how to put a
project together. Project material must be gathered in an A4/ A3 size Project
book. The project may be as large as the student wishes but minimum 20 pages
(text + pictures + sketches).
Projects must also meet five elements. Projects must be colourful,
creative, have personal opinion, imagination and gain publicity before
submission. These elements form the basis of a student friendly narrative
analysis approach where the student explores their project topic in an
interactive and task-oriented way. In particular, students are encouraged (whilst
respecting social distancing) to attain material through visiting local
libraries, engaging with fieldwork, making models, photographing, cartoon
creating, and making short snippet films of their area. Re-enacting can also be
a feature of several projects.
For over twenty years, the project has evolved in exploring how students
pursue local history and how to make it relevant in society. The project
attempts to provide the student with a hands-on and interactive activity that
is all about learning not only about heritage in your local area (in all its
forms) but also about the process of learning by participating students.
The project is about thinking about, understanding, appreciating and
making relevant in today’s society the role of our heritage, our landmarks, our
oral histories, our environment in our modern world for upcoming citizens. So,
the project is about splicing together activity on issues of local history and
heritage such as thinking, exploring, observing, discovering, researching,
uncovering, revealing, interpreting and resolving.
The project is open to many directions of delivery. Students are
encouraged to engage with their topic in order to make sense of it, understand
and work with it. Students continue to experiment with the overall design and
plan of their work. For example, and in general, students who have entered
before might engage with the attaining of primary information through oral
histories. The methodologies that the students create provide interesting ways
to approach the study of local heritage.
Students are asked to choose one of two extra methods (apart from a
booklet) to represent their work. The first option is making a model whilst the
second option is making a short film. It is great to see students using modern
up todate technology to present their findings. This works in broadening their
view of approaching their project.
This project in the City is free to enter and is kindly funded by Cork
City Council (viz the help of Niamh Twomey, Heritage Officer) Prizes are also
provided by the Old Cork Waterworks Experience, Lee Road.
Overall, the Schools’ Heritage Project for the past twenty years has
attempted to build a new concerned generation of Cork people, pushing them
forward, growing their self-development empowering them to connect to their
world and their local heritage. Spread the word please with local schools.
Details can be found on my dedicated Cork heritage website,
www.corkheritage.ie.
Caption:
1119a. Front cover of 2021-2022 brochure for Discover Cork Schools’
Heritage Project.
Journeys to a Truce: The City Engineer’s Perspective
Cork Corporation’s Reconstruction Committee’s
six-month report was an important one to release in September 1921. It was over
nine months since the Burning of Cork. Politically there was pressure to move
the reconstruction on but there was also the headache of who brings all the
physical thinking and oversees the actual construction. Last week, the column
mentioned the addendum document to the six month report and Joseph Delany, the
City Engineer, who outlined that without plans being submitted, the rebuilding
ran the risk of building heights and respective architectural design being out
of sync with neighbouring rebuilds.
In truth there was so many moving parts for Joseph.
In an earlier report, penned by him, in January 1921, he argued that several features of the restoration problem were
complex. The problem had its opportunities and its difficulties. Due to the
unprecedented nature of the rebuild, from the outset, he called for a special
administration facilitation and “diversion from the ordinary lines of procedure
by which building operations are usually regulated”. He noted of the need for a
public spirit: “The desired improvements can only be achieved by the parties
concerned adopting a sound policy of public spirit in the public interest. The
proprietors of the lately destroyed property will, I have no doubt, appreciate
their obligations to assist, both individually and collectively, the civic
authorities and with their architects and advisors in making the work of
restoration and the improvements incidental there to a success”.
Arriving
to Cork Corporation in 1903, Joseph amassed nineteen years experience within
the organisation. Joseph was also interested in Irish industrial and language
movements, in the country’s national well-being, its educational advancement
and in economic reform.
Joseph’s
back story reveals a learned man. W.T.
Pike in his Contemporary biographies’, published in Cork and County
Corkin the Twentieth Century by Richard J. Hodges in
1911 reveals that Joseph (1872-1942) was educated at St Vincent’s
College, Castleknock, Dublin. He continued his studies at Art School, Clonmel
and there he was awarded the Mayor’s Prize in “Science and Art Subjects”. He
also attended the City of Dublin Technical Institute, and the Dublin
Metropolitan School of Art, where he was awarded “School Prize in Art Subjects”.
Joseph
trained as engineer and architect by indentured pupilage under well-known
Dublin architect Walter Glynn Doolin. Joseph became a certified surveyor under
the London Metropolitan Building Act, combined with private study in the
engineering courses of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and of the Institute
of Municipal and County Engineers. He was awarded a travelling studentship of
the Agricultural Association of Ireland in 1897 and was medallist in architecture
in the National Art Competition, South Kensington Science and Art Department in
1898.
Joseph believed in networking and learning from
other engineers and architects. He was Honorary Auditor at
Royal Institute of Architects, Ireland in 1900 and Honorary Secretary
Castleknock College Union, 1901-10. He was member of the Committee of the Irish
Roads Congress and member of the Joint Committee on Waterworks Regulations,
London. He was also a Member of the Society of Engineers, London, the
Institution of Municipal and County Engineers, England, the Royal Institute of
Architects, Ireland, the Royal Sanitary Institute, London, the Architectural
Association of Ireland, and the Royal Institute of Public Health. He also
published technical contributions to engineering and architectural magazines
and penned a book called “A Memoir of Walter Glynn Doolin”, which was dedicated
to his mentor Walter.
Joseph
served on the temporary Civil Staff of the Royal Engineers and was Assistant
City Architect in Dublin, for five years. In 1903, he was then appointed City
Engineer of Cork. On taking up the
Cork post he immediately set about improving the water supply system and
reducing the abnormally high rate of water wastage in the city.
However, one of the many legacies Joseph left
Cork City came from a visit to the US on an inquiry into
American methods of municipal engineering and architectural practice, and an
inspection of public works of civic utility. There he learned about the remodelling of American towns and
cities to meet the modern requirements of their everyday life and that this was
a common feature of civic pride in America.
In his January 1921 report, apart from his
report covering the Burning of Cork, Joseph outlines in a few pages the need
for Cork to have a town plan noting that “town planning should be considered
advantageous in Cork, with a view to the future improvement and better shaping
of the city”. He called for this work to be investigated by specially appointed
commissioners, consisting of prominent citizens and commercial and professional
life, together with representatives of municipal councils. Planning ahead was
crucial he argued; “The schemes produced, and in many cases accomplished, have
resulted in the complete re-casting of the plans of cities, with consequent
improved public convenience, and enhanced amenity of environment”.
Joseph detailed that clear foresight was very
essential to the future development of Cork City, and the preparation of a town
plan by a town planning competition or otherwise, as was pursued in Dublin
after the Easter Rising of 1916, would result in useful suggestive proposals
for the future betterment of the city. Although Joseph moved on from Cork in
1924, he did influence the creation of a Cork Town Planning Association – a
group who two years later in 1926 produced Cork: A Civic Survey –
technically Cork’s first town plan or guide at any rate.
Joseph resigned in 1924 from Cork Corporation because
of illness brought about by pressure of the reconstruction work. He is said to
have retired from Cork to Clonmel. From circa 1926 until 1936 he kept an
office at 97, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin. He died at Clonmel in 1942.
Caption:
1118a. Joseph F Delany,
City Engineer, c.1911 in W.T. Pike’s
“Contemporary Biographies”, published in Cork and County Corkin
the Twentieth Century (1911) by Richard J. Hodges.
The Discover Cork: Schools’ Heritage Project launches in its 20th year and is open to schools in Cork City. Funded by Cork City Council, the Project is an initiative of the Cork City Heritage Plan.
The Project (est. 2002/03) is aimed at both primary and post primary level. Project books may be submitted on any aspect of Cork’s rich past. Suggested topics are over the page. The theme for this year’s project – the 2021/22 school season – is “Cork Heritage Treasures”.
FREE and important project support in the form of funded workshops (socially distanced, virtual or hybrid) led by Cllr Kieran McCarthy in participating schools will be held in October 2021. This is a 45min physical or virtual workshop to give participating students ideas for compilation and resources.
September 1921 coincided with several notes being published by the Reconstruction Committee of the Corporation of Cork outlining their six-month review in the Cork Examiner. By an order of the Council of the Corporation of Cork on 26 February 1921 a special committee consisting of one member from each electoral area was appointed to supervise the work of reconstruction of the destroyed portion of the city during the Burning of Cork event on 11/12 December 1920.
The
committee was authorised to co-opt members from other bodies such as the Cork Industrial
Development Association, the Technical Instruction Committee, the Employers
Federation, the District Trades and Labour Council and the Cooperative Building
Federation. The committee was seen as thoroughly representative of the
industrial, commercial, and labour interests of the city.
Between
February and September 1921, six meetings of the general committee were held
and their minutes are recorded in a surviving minute book (1921-1924) in Cork City
and County Archives. Many discussions also took place between a sub committee,
which was appointed to deal with the nuanced details, and to formulate
proposals with the owners, architects and builders of the relevant premises.
Cork
Corporation building bye-laws dictated that premises could only be re-erected
without the permission of the Reconstruction Committee, whose job was to
approve plans for entire buildings, so that proposed schemes could be viewed
and regulated. The same applied to the temporary timber premises that had been
erected – of which twelve businesses are recorded as located on cleared plots
within the St Patrick’s Street area by late September 1921. Time limits were
placed on temporary structures in order that actual rebuilding work be
incentivised.
Despite
the building by-laws, it was a fine balance by the Reconstruction Committee to
give business owners some leeway, ask that rebuilding work be started but also
create a spirit of collaboration. Many owners were still emotionally raw, were
broke, could not survive on the offers of insurance companies, and needed more
time to think about their future needs.
The
job of the committee was also to lobby for the compensation packages arising
out of damage, inflicted by British forces, to be delivered. But by September
1921, there was still no compensation forthcoming from Westminster. In general,
it was hoped that perhaps part of the Truce negotiations may bring a significant
compensation fund and one that could especially kick start the owner of a
property, who did not have reserve funding put aside in order to rebuild.
In
his six month review, chair of the Reconstruction Committee Cllr Barry Egan
details that aside from compensation funding, one of the prominent aspects
regularly discussed at committee level was the possible re-alignment of
building lines in the damaged St Patrick’s Street area plus creating a widened
Winthrop Street. In the pre-Burning of Cork era, footpaths were narrow and some
buildings, constructed in the nineteenth century jutted out in front of their
adjacent ones.
Winthrop
Street, which was a much narrower street to what exists today, was targeted for
widening and for creating more of a plaza as it meets St Patrick’s Street. It
was suggested that the work could be accomplished by acquiring the burnt out sites
of Messrs Thompson, Murphy and Tyler, and to determine a new building line
running north and south through their sites.
To
allow for more space, it was also proposed to close up and build over the next
street – west of Winthrop Street – that of Robert Street – and transfer back
the whole of what was described as block number three across the width of the
street – in otherwards eliminate the street. Discussions were held with property owners on Robert
Street but strenuous opposition was put forward to the closing of that
thoroughfare. The City Solicitor advised the Reconstruction Committee that
streets could not be closed or eliminated except upon an agreement being
entered into with the owners and occupiers of the property therein. The Robert
Street closure was eventually put to one side in the negotiations.
Negotiations
between the Reconstruction Committee and the business owners were intensive. However,
the minute books do reveal positive public support for the work of the
committee. In the six-month report, Cllr Egan places on record the committee’s
high appreciation of the manner in which Mr William Roche of Roches Stores met
the committee and the concessions supplied so far from him. The object with him
was trying to rectify a building line in area number one on St Patrick’s Street
and to possibly increase the width of Merchant Street on the western side.
Messrs J Daly and company Ltd expressed a full sympathy with the improvements
proposed by the committee and their willingness to make a concession of
property towards the widening of Merchant Street. Merchant Street in time though
was subsumed into Merchant’s Quay shopping in the 1990s.
There
is an addendum document to the committee’s six-month report. Joseph Delany, the
City Engineer, outlines his concerns that without plans being submitted, the
rebuilding ran the risk of building heights and respective architectural design
being out of sync with neighbouring rebuilds. Technically a business could come
back with just a one storey design and with a jarring architectural design. The
City Engineer references the need to set a fixed policy on the use of Irish
materials such as local limestone in particular. Mr Delany noted: “if there is
no standard as to height there are possibilities of one-storey deformities
placed in juxtaposition to buildings of three or four storeys high on either
side. Balance, symmetry, unity, harmony in design will be difficult to achieve
under these conditions of procedure by individuals”.
Caption:
1117a. Section of map
produced from Reconstruction Committee Minute Book, 1921-1924, showing proposed
building plot re-alignments (see red line) (source: courtesy of Cork City and
County Archives, ref: CP/CM/RE/1).
A public consultation is open at present until 3 October with regard to the installation of three ‘round top’ traffic calming ramps on Churchyard Lane from Well Road to the Silver Quay Bar. Below are snapshot map of the location of the proposed works.
However, the full details can be viewed under consultations at www.consult.corkcity.ie. Details are also there at this latter site to submit a formal view (whether for or against or wanting changes) to be made online or as a written submission.
Comments
and any changes (if any) will then be discussed by ward councillors in mid to
late October before any construction of the ramps begins,
Churchyard Lane Ramps Proposal, Ballinlough, September 2021
