Beamish

I’d like to see some form of brewing remain on the site too.

I’d also like to see the old warehousing buildings that you can see from Crosse’s Green incorporated into whatever goes in there. A lot has been spoken about the Counting House, but I reckon those are some of the more interesting examples of 19th century industrial architecture still around in Ireland. By all means reorganise them inside, but don’t demolish them.

The site itself probably needs to see some level of caution for two reasons. One is the iconic view up the river towards St Finn barre’s. This would probably preclude any development that is too tall coming right up to the river. The second reason is that the presence of portions of the old city wall within the Beamish site will probably keep some sections of the site unavailable for development.

I think a footbridge and walkway to Crosse’s Green would be useful. South Gate Bridge to Clarke’s Bridge is probably as long a stretch of the South Channel in the City Centre that you’ll find without a bridge over it and provision of a walking route could help revitalise both areas. Maybe we could go for a radical departure and incorporate a dedicated cycle lane too. That would probably have to go to in front of the old Mill Business Centre site. The only other open route would involve taking some of the boatyard that’s down there and I’d prefer to not do that as that boatyard is one of the last remaining quirks to be seen in Cork City Centre.

In terms of general usage, I’d tend towards entertainment/culture/food and drink usage. Sort of like Temple Bar without the bad parts.

Given its size and central location, determining the future of the Beamish site is probably the most important development decision confronting the city after the South Docklands. A local area plan for the South Main St area needs to be completed ASAP.

I was wandering around the area today and looking at the site from all angles confirmed what I’d love to see there. A park. This city needs more green space. Bishop Lucey park is too small and often with the crowd it attracts is not too welcoming. Fitzgeralds park is too far out of the city centre.

I’d like to see the Counting House used for some kind of cultural/municipal purpose… as an arts venue or a beer museum or whatever. Keeping brewing on the site is a nice notion but is it at all realistic?

With the exception of the Counting House and the older waterside buildings on the western edge of the site (I think jungle was referring to the same buildings), I’d like to see the rest of the site cleared and landscaped as a new city park. A new oasis of calm (pardon the lazy cliche) in the city centre.

A public walkway along the river’s edge would of course be essential in any redevelopment of the site, and a new bridge as described above by jungle would increase accessibility and open up the area. I’m not sure though whether I’d favour a continuation of the new boardwalk (almost completed) by the Grand Parade or a more natural river bank at this site.

So what’s the likelihood of the city council buying the site and making it into a park?

@bosco wrote:

I was wandering around the area today and looking at the site from all angles confirmed what I’d love to see there. A park. This city needs more green space. Bishop Lucey park is too small and often with the crowd it attracts is not too welcoming. Fitzgeralds park is too far out of the city centre.

Funnily enough, I thought the same. Think I even posted it a few months back (nah..nah.. beat you to it!).

A public ‘green’ walkway along the river around the bend – either with access to Hanover St. or with a pedestrian bridge across to Crosses Green – would be great. If there is development on the rear of the site, hopefully it can be kept back from the river as much as possible.

A lot of developers will be put off by nature of the site. Access will be a serious issue and no chance I’d say of putting underground parking on it.

@corkblow-in wrote:

Hate to bring a note of pessimism to the thread

Don’t worry, I think we’re all realists. There were a few buildings knocked in recent years which lead us to think “wow, how wonderful it would be for the city if we had a park right there in the city centre”, but knowing there’s a better chance of nuclear waste dump than a park there! 😉

@who_me wrote:

Would flooding be an issue? Look at how far below the water level the Clarion carpark went.

i’m only guessing given that the river winds around the site. I’m sure the new fangled modern engineering could get around it. Then they could put in a basement with transparent walls with all the viking longboats and archaeology under the site viewable. Few skeletons drinking a pint of beamish maybe for effect….

I’m also in total agreement with the micro-brewery idea. there isn’t a massive amount of attractions for tourists in the city as it is, so a fun day out at beamish’s with a couple of complimentary pints at the end would be a real money spinner. plus they could demonstrate the 17th/18th century brewing process with more free samples. i know i’d go….possibly every day.

shouldnt cork city council be all over this?

(Cork Independent)
Beamish Tourism Plan a Step Closer

Graham Lynch
glynch@corkindependent.com

HEINEKEN Ireland are to meet with members of the National Conservation & Heritage Group on Thursday, January 15 to discuss proposals for the future use of the Beamish & Crawford Brewery.

NCHG Chairman Damien Cassidy and newly appointed Honorary Secretary Mick Murphy were invited to meet with Directors of Heineken Ireland, following the Dublin-based group’s launch of a campaign to “ensure the safe keeping of the Beamish & Crawford Brewery for current and future generations’.

Green Party election candidate Mick Murphy described the tone of the initial phone call from Heineken as “extremely positive” and said he was confidant that next Thursday’s meeting would bear fruit, and that an appropriate use for this heritage building can be achieved that will suit both the needs of Heineken and the people of Cork and Ireland”.

The NCHG played a pivotal role in persuading Diageo to develop the Guinness Storehouse as a tourist attraction, as well as spearheading the campaign to save Kilmamham Gaol. Dublin, now a hugely successful museum.
The group are confident that the Beamish & o Crawford Brewery, the oldest in the country, can of prove to be just as successful as the Guinness Storehouse, which has become the top visitor attraction in Ireland.

Mr. Murphy says that both he and Damian Cassidy will be stressing this point when they meet with to the Directors of Heineken Ireland.
The group hope that the meeting will pave the way for the maintenance of some brewing on the site, and the saving of the historical building on cultural heritage and tourism grounds.
Cllr. Murphy is also leading a patron campaign on behalf of the NCHG, with well known members of the community, both locally and nationally being asked to support to the cause.
Michael Flatley, Michael O’Leary (Ryanair), Neil Prendeville and U2 are among those to have already been asked to become associated with the campaign to save the Beamish & Crawford site.