Radioactiveman

The Firkin Crane was built on the site of the former Shandon Castle (Sean, old; dun, fort/castle). The name Firkin Crane refers to it’s part in the butter trade. A firkin (Danish word) was a standard measure of butter (approx 80 lbs or half a barrel. It was here that the Firkins were unloaded by crane (hence the name).
The Firkin Crane building was opened in August 1855. It was designed by Sir John Benson to meet the need for increased space for the Butter Exchange.
The building is on the site of a 1784 Dominican chapel which was built on the site of Shandon Castle, a 16th century building which was, for a time, the seat of Tudor power in Munster. The castle was not rebuilt after the siege. Local tradition has it that stone from the castle was used in the building of nearby church of St Anne’s Shandon. The Butter Exchange acquired the building in 1852 and the Dominicans built a new church and priory in Pope’s Quay.

A contemporary account from the Cork Examiner explains the building’s unusual shape:
“It is completely circular, and has a diameter of about a hundred feet. By a most ingenious arrangement the entire rafters of the immense roof converge upon one large center pillar, like the ribs of an umbrella upon the handle, and thus instead of having the space, the great object, interfered with by numerous pillars, the whole support does not occupy the room of more that three or four feet. The roof meets in a circular ridge, and the rain falling on the inside descends into the center pillar, which is hollowed, and conveys it to the reservoir. Around the outer edge of the roof a chute runs, which conveys the water by several pipes into the same receptacle, and so preserves for the purposes of cleaning firkins, and the many other uses for which it was required. Amongst the many advantages of this ingenious arrangement, one not the least important is the saving of the walls from damp. The entire cost of the building has been about £1,500.”

When their Butter Market closed in 1924 James Daly & Sons occupied the building until the 1970’s when the manufacture of margarine carried on by them were transferred to new premises. (The same Daly was later to gift a pedestrian bridge to the city: Daly’s Bridge or the ‘Shakey Bridge).

The deserted building was completely destroyed by fire on 6th July, 1980. Thanks to the efforts of a group of businessmen under the Chairmanship of former Taoiseach, Jack Lynch the building was restored and taken over by Cork Corporation. For a while the building housed the now defunct Irish National Ballet. It is now the home of the Institute for Choreography and Dance.

The building is associated with the Butter exchange building and the Butter Museum nearby. There are plans to dramatically improve public access to the Butter exchange and concentrate the buildings uses on tourism.
Interior view:

The Mill business centre a Crosses Green has now well and truly been demolished. Its interesting that it happened so close to the compulsory purchase order. I’m not quite sure wether it has gone through or not. Anyone?
Here’s the original development. The revised plan reduced that 6-storey block to 4-storey. Unfortunately, two thirds of a pile of sh*t is still a pile of sh*t. Try not to look directly at it, it’s awful!!
(Derek Tynan is the “architect”)

@lawyer wrote:

That building was the former Shandon Street Garda Station.

I hadn’t realised that. Thanks for the info. I don’t know who the current owner is; but I hear what you are saying kite. You don’t have to look too far away from the building in question to see a ‘couple’ of fine examples.

Its interesting to see that Waterpark Construction Ltd. have applied to demolish Millfield Cottages in their entirety to replace with the same number (18) of newly built houses on the site.
The cottages are of historic and architectural merit, although they are now substandard in their living accomodation. They were built in the 1860’s as Workman’s cottages for the nearby industries.
There were proposals some time ago to have the cottages listed as an Area of Special Character.

As far as I’m aware, the owners of the adjacent retail park purchased the leasehold of the cottages in the last few years. It is unknown whether they have the support of the residents for the development.

Nearby, the same company have submitted a very promising application for an infill development on Dublin Street between numbers 37 and 40. 37-39 were demolished as part of the building of the shopping centre. Number 40 remains in good condition.

Both applications are up for decision on the 28th of this month.

Yes Really!!!
There are plenty of gaps left in the paving to accomodate them. To be honest, I’m more of a fan of the Pitmit lamp myself. Although, because of their size, they are not suitable for all locations. I reckon it will be Flannerys all along the Market side of the street and then Pitmits along the library side, with the new much widened footpaths.

I notice that the new Frinailla development at the library will have vehicular access only via South Main Street. Quite rightly to in my opinion. Its a shame that the new footpath by the National Monument is ruined by having to accomodate that god-awful surface carpark which is accessed through a fine georgian (?) building. How long more do we have to put up with that?
Ditto the multi srorey on the other side of the street. The access there is just dangerous. Pedestrians are taking their life in their hands passing that place. It should be removed asap.

@corkindo wrote:

This was reported in the Cork Independent more than a month ago.

This was reported here and in various other local media (probably including the Cork Independent) about two or three years ago, when St. Patrick’s Street was first done. Its a non-story, no decision has been made and none will be made for a year or two.

In other “news”, the former Coal Quay bar has re-opened for business as a wine bar/grill/restaurant. I’m immediately put off by the new name though: “Cornstor”. I bet dropping the ‘e’ makes them feel all hip and groovy and down with the youngsters!!!

@Praxiteles wrote:

Re the statue of Our Lady in Blackpool, I am fairly sure it is bthe one in Blackpool though I will double check in the light of Radioactiveman’s glow on the subject!

No, its similar, but the face and head are completely different.

Here we go, note differences in the robe around the left arm also. The image you posted is of a piece called “Morning Star” done in limestone in 1961. The Madonna in Blackpool is in portland stone and was done in 1945 when the church was consecrated. Aidan O’ Shea notes in his article that local reaction to the piece was mixed. This may well explain why a much less impressive piece adorns Our Lady’s altar in the church to this day. Although, to move it now would make Murphy’s Madonna less visible in the church and would also disturb that sort of ‘lop-sided symmetry’ between it and the Sacred Heart statue (also in Portland) which is on the other side of the main altar.

Plans are being drawn up by the parish of Blackpool, the Glen and Ballyvolane, along with Cork City Council which will see the complete refurbishment of St. Brendan’s Church in The Glen along with a large development of affordable housing, a new community centre, and significant landscaping and park work to the surrounding area.
The church has suffered badly from corrosion and wear and tear and is now in need of pretty urgent repair work, particularly to the roof structure. Along with this, the large area of open space surrounding the church is earmarked for affordable housing development and a significant community centre. The new development will be designed to surround the church on three of four sides in order to change its now isolated location.
A masterplan has already been drawn up and exhibited locally. With Cork City Council onside, the planning process should be a harmless enough affair. From the plans I’ve see, the new developments will be modern in design and look like they’ll add significantly to the area.

Todays Examiner is worth a look for articles on:
1. The demolition of the Examiner Office on Academy street, although they are still printing photomontages of previous designs for the new development.

2. The proposed new development at Kent Station

3. The proposals for the new City Library development on Grand Parade by Frinailla.

On the last development, (the application for which is also in today’s Examiner) the article states it will include and auditorium, space for exhibitions and a “Cork Hall of Fame” which will be aimed at tourists and cover people who’ve made a significant contribution to the city.