Cork City And County

HOLLAND PARK IN CORK HAS CHANGED SINCE MY LAST VISIT

May 15, 2023 by infomatique

CORK CITY TO PASSAGE WEST GREENWAY

There was a thunder storm underway when I visited this area of the Marina.

The first phase of the Cork City to Passage West Greenway was officially opened in April 2023

The 3km greenway provides a high-quality recreational and commuter corridor between Cork City Docklands and Mahon tracing the route of the 19th century Cork, Blackrock, and Passage Railway line. The greenway provides a wide accessible route for pedestrians and cyclists. There are new and improved access ramps such as the one at Holland Park.

The new greenway has access points at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, the Old Blackrock Railway station, Blackrock Road, Skehard Road, and Mahon. There are also additional points of entry by the Marina Park and Eden development.

When I visited Cork Marina back in 2018 the area known as Holland Park was predominantly an open green field bordered by the embankment and Dundonion Castle to the south. A recent tree survey indicated interesting tree species planted around in the open field and looks like an arboretum that started around 30 years ago but not developed any further. This grassland habitat was wild and unmanaged and was composed largely of coarse grass species and ruderals but is more species rich than the amenity grassland found elsewhere in the area.

In 1837, the Passage Railway Bill was passed in the Westminster Parliament but work only got underway in the late 1840s. By this time, the Cork Passage Railway Company had been reformed into the Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway Company. Legislation was passed for this company in 1846 and in September of that year, the company’s engineer Sir John MacNeil carried out the relevant survey work.

The entire length of track between Cork and Passage West was in place by April 1850 and within two months, the line was opened for passenger traffic.

The City’s terminus, designed by Sir John Benson, was based on Victoria Quay but due to the creation of the Cork City Park Racecourse in 1869, it was rebuilt and opened in 1873 on Hibernian Road. The old building can still be seen.

In the early 1930s because of reduced revenues the company ceased operations

I WALKED ALONG RICHMOND HILL

May 15, 2023 by infomatique

FROM THE FEVER HOSPITAL STEPS TO HARDWICK STREET

I walked from the top of the Fever Hospital Steps all the way along Richmond Hill to Hardwick Street.

Hardwick Street may be named after Philip Yorke, the Third Earl of Hardwicke, who was the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1801 to 1806.

The Cork Fever Hospital and House of Recovery was founded in the year 1802 by Dr. Milner Barry from Bandon, Co. Cork. Fever was endemic in Ireland at the time. The buildings were situated in an ‘airy part’ of the city at the top of Richmond Hill; the steps leading to the hospital from the Murphy’s Brewery area were known as the Fever Hospital steps. The cost of erecting the buildings and the running expenses of the hospital were met mainly by charitable donations, and the administration of the hospital were by a voluntary management committee.

ROADWORKS IN CORK’S VICTORIAN QUARTER

May 15, 2023 by infomatique

THE AREA NEAR COBURG STREET

Infrastructural improvements being carried out as part of the MacCurtain Street Public Transport Improvement Scheme.

Updated 9th May 2023

MacCurtain Street

Works have commenced on MacCurtain Street. Works include the enhanced public realm, provision of new bus stops and associated works. Resurfacing will be carried out once works on adjacent streets have been completed.

Traffic restrictions and pedestrian diversion routes will be in place for the duration of the works. Local and emergency access will be maintained at all times.

Coburg Street

Works have commenced on Coburg Street. Works include the enhanced public realm, Provision of new bus stops and associated works.

Traffic restrictions and pedestrian diversion routes will be in place for the duration of the works. Local and emergency access will be maintained at all times.

Bridge Street

Works have commenced on Bridge Street. Works include the enhanced public realm, new ramped access to Bridge Street, Provision of new bus stops and associated works. Resurfacing will be carried out once works on adjacent streets have been completed.

Traffic restrictions and pedestrian diversion routes will be in place for the duration of the works. Local and emergency access will be maintained at all times.

Improved public transport corridors set out in the Scheme will reduce journey times and improve reliability for citizens on the northside of the city and the commuter towns to the north and east of the city centre

The MacCurtain Street Public Transport Improvement Scheme includes the following key features:

Upgrading of footpaths;
Provision of enhanced cycling infrastructure;
Changes in traffic management to include additional bus priority facilities;
Upgrade to junctions including upgrades to traffic signal system;
Resurfacing of streets within the project area;
Provision of additional street furniture and trees;
Provision of set down spaces, disabled parking and loading areas;
New and upgraded public lighting;
Improved street signage and road markings.

AN INCREDIBLY STEEP HILL WITH STEPS RATHER THAN FOOTPATHS

May 15, 2023 by infomatique

ST PATRICK’S HILL IN CORK CITY

I used a Sony RX0 but as I was in a hurry I only took four photographs as I intended to return later.

St Patrick’s Hill is just off MacCurtain Street on the North Side of the city.

An incredibly steep hill, it has some classic views over the City, especially as it looks directly down to the main shopping Street of Patrick Street.

The top of the Hill also offers some of the best panoramic views of the City; particularly of Shandon Tower and the North Side.

WALKING ALONG WELLINGTON ROAD AND SIDNEY PLACE

May 15, 2023 by infomatique

IS THIS PART OF THE VICTORIAN QUARTER

Earlier in the day the hotel manager suggested that I should explore the Victorian Quarter which was the first time that I heard anyone actually use the expression. I remember reading, back in 2020, that Sinn Féin councillors complained that lumping MacCurtain Street into an imaginary district that related harmoniously with the Famine Queen was an insult to Tomás MacCurtain, a Lord Mayor after whom the street is named. He was brutally assassinated by police in 1920.

According to Google – The Victorian Quarter is an atmospheric hub of 19th-century buildings north of the River Lee, including neoclassical-style St. Patrick’s Church, with striking stained glass and religious art. Landmark redbrick railway terminal Kent Station has a steam locomotive, and Collins Barracks houses a museum on the Irish Civil War. Vintage clothing and book stores, hip bars, and music festivals give the area bohemian flavour.