Developments in Cork
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nice building I’ll say..but the arrival area is way to small for what would want to be an international airport. It doesn’t allow the casual tourist to accommodate with the Irish / Cork “like” environment. The transition is impulsive and abrupt. That would be my only comment.
I am not sure but did they build any new runaways?🙂 Cork City Manager declares Cork 2005 a huge sucess.
Cork City Manager reported to Council members tonight on the 2005 year of CultureRe: European Capital of Culture 2005
Economic AssessmentWe commissioned Dr. Moloney of University College Cork to carry out an economic assessment of the contribution of tourism and conference business to Cork City and its hinterland in respect of the years 2003, 2005 and 2006.
The report for 2003 was published in 2004 and gave a baseline against which we can measure the economic success of ‘Cork 2005Visitor Numbers:
The preliminary figures for 2005 are now to hand. They indicate that visitor numbers in 2005 were 1,137,000 higher than in 2003. In 2003 the total of all visitors including overseas and domestic amounted to 3,006,000. This number had increased to 4,243,000 for the year 2005 which represents an increase of 38%Revenue Generated:
The direct financial contribution from visitors in 2003 was €324m. In 2005 this amounted to €414m an increase of €90m representing a 28% increase.
Within these overall figures the report indicates that same day visitors in 2003 numbered 2,574,000 and generated €122m. In 2005 tnere were 3,751,000 same day visitors generating €158m.National Comparison:
On the national level total visitor numbers in 2005 including domestic trips were 7% higher than in 2003. Revenue earnings in 2005 were 7.5% higher than in 2003.
The respective figures for Cork City and its hinterland at 38% and 28% greatly exceed the national figures and can for the most part be attributed to the successful promotion of Cork 2005.
It is clear from the returns that ‘Cork 2005’ was an outstanding economic success and greatly exceeded what we might have reasonably expected. Our total revenue investment in Cork 2005 was €17m. The extra €90m earned in 2005 was the immediate economic return but ‘Cork 2005’ has laid foundations for continuing benefits into the future. We must build on these foundations. We now have a physically more attractive centre city with the renewal of St. Patrick Street, Oliver Plunkett Street and Grand Parade. We have added to our cultural infrastructure with the provision of the new Glucksman Gallery, the extension to the Cork Museum, the Lifetime Lab, the new Civic Archives, the Astronomy Centre at Blackrock Castle and the new School of Music. Several new hotels have been built and plans are well advanced for a major increase in the volume and range of retail provision in the city.
Many of the cultural initiatives started in 2005 are continuing – the Frank O’Connor Short Story Prize, the Ceili Mor, the Ocean to City boat race, the Lee Swim and Opera 2005.A marketing partnership has been established to promote tourism and conference business and plans for a large indoor events centre are being actively pursued. A physically attractive city, good cultural infrastructure, good retail provision and good access are essential ingredients for the development of urban tourism.
I would like to thank the members and staff of Cork City Council, the Board and staff of Cork 2005, the Arts Community, the Business Community and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism for their imput in making Cork 2005 such a great success.
A report has been commissioned on the impact of Cork 2005 on art and culture in the city from Dr. Benadette Quinn of Dublin Institute of Technology. This report and the full economic report from Dr. Moloney will be available by November.
J. GAVIN CITY MANAGER 25th September 2006
And take a look at this from this morning’s Irish Independent:
Council to unravel knitted-map saga
A KNITTED map of Cork, which cost a staggering €259,000 to produce for the city’s Capital of Culture year, may have to be sold to avoid running up massive storage bills.
Cork City Council is to hold a special debate on the 2005 EU Capital of Culture programme, which included the commissioning of the knitted map, a project slated by some as a breathtaking waste of money.
The map is currently in storage.
While the overall programme has been hailed as a tremendous success by city manager Joe Gavin, having generated tourism revenues of more than €90m, there is increasing controversy about the knitted map.
Even the whereabouts of the map is the focus of controversy, with councillors demanding to know precisely where it is stored and how much it is costing.
The project – which was criticised even before the Cork 2005 programme commenced – emerged as one of the single most expensive items during the EU Capital of Culture celebration.
Three years ago, when the knitted map venture was first unveiled amid fanfare by Cork 2005 officials, some presumed the proposal was only a hoax.
But it proceeded to the funding stage. However, the knitted map, which was finally produced, was so large that it was regarded as unsuitable for display in any major public venue.
Privately, sources within the council have admitted that any approach to sell the map would be greeted “with relief”.
We are now well after 1 April!!!
@Praxiteles wrote:
And take a look at this from this morning’s Irish Independent:
Council to unravel knitted-map saga
A KNITTED map of Cork, which cost a staggering €259,000 to produce for the city’s Capital of Culture year, may have to be sold to avoid running up massive storage bills.
Cork City Council is to hold a special debate on the 2005 EU Capital of Culture programme, which included the commissioning of the knitted map, a project slated by some as a breathtaking waste of money.
The map is currently in storage.
While the overall programme has been hailed as a tremendous success by city manager Joe Gavin, having generated tourism revenues of more than €90m, there is increasing controversy about the knitted map.
Even the whereabouts of the map is the focus of controversy, with councillors demanding to know precisely where it is stored and how much it is costing.
The project – which was criticised even before the Cork 2005 programme commenced – emerged as one of the single most expensive items during the EU Capital of Culture celebration.
Three years ago, when the knitted map venture was first unveiled amid fanfare by Cork 2005 officials, some presumed the proposal was only a hoax.
But it proceeded to the funding stage. However, the knitted map, which was finally produced, was so large that it was regarded as unsuitable for display in any major public venue.
Privately, sources within the council have admitted that any approach to sell the map would be greeted “with relief”.
We are now well after 1 April!!!
😮 And to add to Cork’s embarrassment the map will go on show in Philadelphia USA for a number of months. It is then expected to tour parts of America’s east coast before returning to a permanent home in Cork. Thankfully the Kinsale Road landfill site is not yet at full capacity!
@Praxiteles wrote:
Clearly, J. Gavin’s megalomaniac bid to rival the Bayeux Tapestery!!
Plus, other then the President who was the patron, Cork 2005 had 16 members of the Board, 32 staff, 6 manning the information centre, 11 consultants, and 9 interns, 74 in total.
@kite wrote:
Plus, other then the President who was the patron, Cork 2005 had 16 members of the Board, 32 staff, 6 manning the information centre, 11 consultants, and 9 interns, 74 in total.
That and all the Bayeux stitchers much have consumed most, if not all -and indeed a bit more than – the direct income of 320 million Euro. So, Cork’s rejoinder to the Norman invasion of England will probably end up costing the City!
Kite, you forgot the carol concert in Cork Cathedral with all the good and the great attending under the baton of Gaybo – including Johnny Buckley in a fetching blue geansai. Maybe the knitted map of Cork could be hung up in the Cork Cathedral – it would at least relieve the dullness left after Richard Hurley and Alex White. Otherwise, I am all in agreement for sending it towards the Kinsale Road infill – if it would be big enough to take it all!!
Have you any idea of the number of sheep involved and what it cost to persuade them to molt their fine fleeces?
Did anyone hear how the Water Street development oral hearing went. I heard it was on this week?
@yorktown wrote:
Did anyone hear how the Water Street development oral hearing went. I heard it was on this week?
ABP have pushed the decision date out to 24 November apparently. Long time since the planning was lodged on 17 May 05. Personally I think ABP are trying to withdraw gracefully now, I cant see how they have a leg to stand on re objections given O’ FLynns 17 storey tower going up right across the river.
😡 A relatively small development consisting of a new 3 storey building containing 6 no. 2 bedroom duplex apartments, 1 no. 2 bedroom apartment and 3 no. 1 bedroom apartments with associated open space, bin store enclosure, car parking, site & ancillary works at Looney’s Cross Wilton has been refused by CCC, one of the reasons being devaluing property in the area.
The way the anti apartment brigade in Wilton are carrying on (supported by some councilors) it’s a wonder anything is getting built out there.
Shame on CCC for bowing to the CSD group and ill informed Councillors.@Pug wrote:
ABP have pushed the decision date out to 24 November apparently. Long time since the planning was lodged on 17 May 05. Personally I think ABP are trying to withdraw gracefully now, I cant see how they have a leg to stand on re objections given O’ FLynns 17 storey tower going up right across the river.
Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised if South Docklands received a much easier passage though planning than those on the North bank. Although I haven’t seen any rendered images, but I can’t imagine the Water St. development is going to do much for the view of the attractive “Northern Ridge” (as lexington put it) from the South Mall/city hall/South Docklands area.
@corkdood wrote:
Speaking of Cork redevelopment and regeneration, that site there looks fairly bleak, underdeveloped and underutilised area. Maybe its just the slight darkness in the photo but that area looks like it could do with a decent bit of building, crane-work and densification.
Where is that area in relation to Cork? I’m not that familiar with the positioning of landmarks in Cork, is it near the centre, or out Midleton/Blarney/Glanmire/Cobh way:confused:
The building on the left is the railway station on the Glanmire road. Behind the buildings on the right is the river.
I agree sort of. I’d like to hear more about various proposals since that’s what interests me the most. Not to offend anyone but I come here since I’m interested in development and new architecture in Cork city (and elsewhere), not about whether some new store will become a supervalue or a centre. 🙂
I’ll try to go out and take some pictures tomorrow if I have the time. Hopefully the weather will clear up.
By the way I remember hearing about a 10-storey building proposed somewhere near the shell station near the R&H hall. Anyone have news on that one?
@malec wrote:
By the way I remember hearing about a 10-storey building proposed somewhere near the shell station near the R&H hall. Anyone have news on that one?
Heard nothing specific but the 10 storeys is the guideline height for the docklands as per the City Council Docklands strategy outlined over the summer
@Cathal Dunne wrote:
Speaking of Cork redevelopment and regeneration, that site there looks fairly bleak, underdeveloped and underutilised area. Maybe its just the slight darkness in the photo but that area looks like it could do with a decent bit of building, crane-work and densification.
Where is that area in relation to Cork? I’m not that familiar with the positioning of landmarks in Cork, is it near the centre, or out Midleton/Blarney/Glanmire/Cobh way:confused:
You are looking at Kent Station and the Docklands.
Blame the underuntilisation on the government as their lackeys CIE are the main landowner in this area.
This is an area that the City Council wants to redevelop into a new business hub. Manor Park Homes are in pre-planning for the majority of the site.
More from today’s olim Cork Examiner on the new terminal building at Cork Airport. I annot figure out why Academy St. is so obsessed with the subject:
02 October 2006
Airport experience leaves a lot to be desired — and improved
I RECENTLY used the new terminal at Cork International airport and this is a brief summary of our experience. In isolation, most of the following would have been acceptable.
First, the departure display board indicated a specific check-in desk for our flight to Tenerife but the said desk displayed Nice as the destination. I went to the check-in person, enquired as to what destination she was checking in and she said Tenerife. I pointed out that the display over the counter indicated Nice and she said she would have it corrected.
The queue for this flight had extended to the bookshop and had split in two directions. A member of staff tried to form a single queue by asking people who was there first.
Passengers for other flights had to divert through the bookshop to get through the crowd. Things got so crowded that the shop assistant asked passengers to move away from the newspaper stand as his customers were unable to find it.
Then, at the food hall upstairs, only one till was open. Customers in the queue were complaining and one woman asked why there was only one till open when there were three staff waiting to make tea/coffee. The girl operating the till did not understand the question, as she did not speak English.
In addition, the design of the counter along which you slide the tray with food and drink ends about six feet before the till, to allow for a passageway for staff.
So you have to lift the tray, walk for about three feet, and replace it back on the counter again at the till. This is unacceptable for a newly designed terminal.
At the bar in departures, no ice was available for our drinks.
On our arrival back from holiday at the airport, there were insufficient trolleys for the number of passengers. I asked an airport staff member where I could get a trolley and I was told they were “being collected at the momentâ€.
I eventually got a trolley, which was an obvious cast-off from Aer Rianta at Dublin Airport as it bore a sticker to that effect.
I informed the Aer Rianta member of staff at the information desk about the delay in trying to get a trolley and her response was: “We have had four flights arriving at the same time.â€
As a member of our party was disabled (which would slow down the process of us getting settled into the car) I also enquired from the same information desk staff member whether a cashier was on duty at the exit (as the time between paying inside and paying at the exit may have exceeded the time allowed). I was told there was.
We proceeded to the exit to find there was no cashier and nor was there a response from the assistance call bell. A queue of cars had formed behind us at this stage as only one of the two exits was in use.
I had to phone Cork Airport from my mobile to get assistance. When the car-park attendant arrived, he said one of our party would have to return to the multi-storey car park with him to pay the fee.
During our walk back, in the rain (almost one full hour after we had landed), he told me only 400 trolleys were available for the whole airport and that “our hearts are broken from people complainingâ€.
Can anyone clarify whether Cork Airport really is an international one?
Adrian Moloney
Ennis Road
Gort
Co GalwayAs i said before, it’s not the new Terminal building itself that is at fault. It is the too few staff and the ridiculous pennypinching which leads to underutilisation of airbridges, lack of new trolleys, lack of the correct number of check in staff, etc.
There’s little or nothing wrong with the airport design. It is the utilisation of the building which is causing the problems. I mean, seriously, how much to buy 500 new trolleys? then scrap the worst of the old ones and we’d have c.800 trolleys for customer use.
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