THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE
NEW PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES AS SEEN FROM FORT ELIZABETH [CROSSE'S GREEN AREA OF CORK CITY]
Unfortunately, because of ongoing construction activity, my access to Crosse's Green was constrained so I decide to photograph the two new bridges from the nearby Elizabeth Fort but I only had a clear and full view of one of the bridges.
The area at Crosse's Green, which I photographed during previous visits to Cork City, is now undergoing a major transformation which meant that the street art that I wanted to photograph is gone. It is now the site of a significant new residential and commercial development, fundamentally altering a landscape rich with Cork's history.
The History of Crosse's Green
The name "Crosse's Green" is deeply rooted in the city's past, believed to originate from a large stone cross that once stood in the area. This location, situated on the south bank of the River Lee, was historically significant. For centuries, it lay just outside the city's defensive walls, in the shadow of two major fortifications.
One of these was Fort Elizabeth, a formidable star-shaped fort built in the early 17th century on the site of what is now the modern Barrack Street. The green would have been an open space before this imposing structure, which played a key role during the Siege of Cork in 1690. The fort's presence defined the area's strategic importance.
Nearby stands the magnificent St. Fin Barre's Cathedral. The land around Crosse's Green was historically part of the lands belonging to the cathedral's parish. The green served as a thoroughfare and open space for the communities living in the warren of streets that developed between the river and the cathedral grounds over the centuries.
More recently, the area became synonymous with the Beamish & Crawford Brewery, which operated just across the river. The low-rise industrial buildings that characterised Crosse's Green in modern times, including the boatyard, were part of the industrial ecosystem that grew around the iconic brewery, which was a major employer and landmark in Cork for over 400 years.
The Redevelopment Project
The former industrial buildings, which were home to the Meitheal Mara boatyard and provided a canvas for vibrant street art, have now been cleared to make way for a large-scale, build-to-rent apartment scheme by developers O'Callaghan Properties (OCP).
The project at Crosse's Green is a key part of the wider regeneration of Cork's city centre quays. The development will feature:
Residential Units: Approximately 280 build-to-rent apartments spread across several blocks.
Commercial Space: Ground-floor commercial and retail units are also included in the plan.
Public Realm: The project aims to improve the public space along the River Lee with new landscaping and enhanced access.
This development is seen by Cork City Council as a crucial step in revitalising this underused part of the city and increasing the housing supply in the urban core.
What Happened to the Boatyard and Street Art?
Meitheal Mara (The Boatyard): The community boatyard and training centre, Meitheal Mara, was a long-term tenant at Crosse's Green. As part of the redevelopment, they have successfully relocated to a new, purpose-built facility further downstream at Poole's Wharf, Marina Walk. This has provided them with an upgraded and permanent home to continue their work in traditional boat building and community training programmes.
The Street Art: The industrial sheds and walls at Crosse's Green had become a well-known, informal gallery for local and visiting street artists. With the demolition of these structures, this specific collection of street art has been lost. While the new development may include commissioned public art, the organic, ever-changing nature of the previous art scene at that location is now a part of the city's history.
Two New Bridges to Enhance Connectivity
There are actually two new pedestrian and cycle bridges being installed to improve access to and through the old brewery site, reconnecting the north and south sides of the city in this historic area.
The Northern Bridge: It will connect Wandesford Quay at Crosse's Green directly across the South Channel of the River Lee to the old brewery site, linking up with Lamley's Lane and South Main Street.
The Southern Bridge: A second bridge has also been installed further upstream, linking French's Quay and Proby's Quay to the southern end of the brewery site.
Timelines and Purpose
The deck of the northern bridge was lifted into place in June 2025, a major milestone in its construction. It is scheduled to be completed and opened to the public in October or November 2025. These bridges are intended to create a seamless link between the south-of-the-river communities and the newly developed brewery quarter, breathing new life into one of Cork's oldest neighbourhoods.
Recent reports from September 2025 confirm that the Cork Events Centre project is going back to tender. This decision was made following advice from the Attorney General because the original 2014 procurement process could not support the increased level of grant funding now required. While BAM was the original contractor, the re-tendering process means other construction companies can now bid on the project. BAM has applied for a five-year extension to its planning permission for the site.
Claim: "...the new bridge across the Lee is currently being dubbed a 'bridge to nowhere'." Fact-check: This is accurate. The new pedestrian bridge, which connects Proby's Quay to the undeveloped Events Centre site, has been dubbed a "bridge to nowhere" by some. However, Cork City Council has confirmed that a publicly accessible and well-lit pathway will be built through the Events Centre site. This will connect the new bridge to South Main Street, allowing the public to use the bridge while awaiting progress on the events centre. Therefore, while it has been called a "bridge to nowhere," it will have a purpose.
Unfortunately, because of ongoing construction activity, my access to Crosse's Green was constrained so I decide to photograph the two new bridges from the nearby Elizabeth Fort but I only had a clear and full view of one of the bridges.
The area at Crosse's Green, which I photographed during previous visits to Cork City, is now undergoing a major transformation which meant that the street art that I wanted to photograph is gone. It is now the site of a significant new residential and commercial development, fundamentally altering a landscape rich with Cork's history.
The History of Crosse's Green
The name "Crosse's Green" is deeply rooted in the city's past, believed to originate from a large stone cross that once stood in the area. This location, situated on the south bank of the River Lee, was historically significant. For centuries, it lay just outside the city's defensive walls, in the shadow of two major fortifications.
One of these was Fort Elizabeth, a formidable star-shaped fort built in the early 17th century on the site of what is now the modern Barrack Street. The green would have been an open space before this imposing structure, which played a key role during the Siege of Cork in 1690. The fort's presence defined the area's strategic importance.
Nearby stands the magnificent St. Fin Barre's Cathedral. The land around Crosse's Green was historically part of the lands belonging to the cathedral's parish. The green served as a thoroughfare and open space for the communities living in the warren of streets that developed between the river and the cathedral grounds over the centuries.
More recently, the area became synonymous with the Beamish & Crawford Brewery, which operated just across the river. The low-rise industrial buildings that characterised Crosse's Green in modern times, including the boatyard, were part of the industrial ecosystem that grew around the iconic brewery, which was a major employer and landmark in Cork for over 400 years.
The Redevelopment Project
The former industrial buildings, which were home to the Meitheal Mara boatyard and provided a canvas for vibrant street art, have now been cleared to make way for a large-scale, build-to-rent apartment scheme by developers O'Callaghan Properties (OCP).
The project at Crosse's Green is a key part of the wider regeneration of Cork's city centre quays. The development will feature:
Residential Units: Approximately 280 build-to-rent apartments spread across several blocks.
Commercial Space: Ground-floor commercial and retail units are also included in the plan.
Public Realm: The project aims to improve the public space along the River Lee with new landscaping and enhanced access.
This development is seen by Cork City Council as a crucial step in revitalising this underused part of the city and increasing the housing supply in the urban core.
What Happened to the Boatyard and Street Art?
Meitheal Mara (The Boatyard): The community boatyard and training centre, Meitheal Mara, was a long-term tenant at Crosse's Green. As part of the redevelopment, they have successfully relocated to a new, purpose-built facility further downstream at Poole's Wharf, Marina Walk. This has provided them with an upgraded and permanent home to continue their work in traditional boat building and community training programmes.
The Street Art: The industrial sheds and walls at Crosse's Green had become a well-known, informal gallery for local and visiting street artists. With the demolition of these structures, this specific collection of street art has been lost. While the new development may include commissioned public art, the organic, ever-changing nature of the previous art scene at that location is now a part of the city's history.
Two New Bridges to Enhance Connectivity
There are actually two new pedestrian and cycle bridges being installed to improve access to and through the old brewery site, reconnecting the north and south sides of the city in this historic area.
The Northern Bridge: It will connect Wandesford Quay at Crosse's Green directly across the South Channel of the River Lee to the old brewery site, linking up with Lamley's Lane and South Main Street.
The Southern Bridge: A second bridge has also been installed further upstream, linking French's Quay and Proby's Quay to the southern end of the brewery site.
Timelines and Purpose
The deck of the northern bridge was lifted into place in June 2025, a major milestone in its construction. It is scheduled to be completed and opened to the public in October or November 2025. These bridges are intended to create a seamless link between the south-of-the-river communities and the newly developed brewery quarter, breathing new life into one of Cork's oldest neighbourhoods.
Recent reports from September 2025 confirm that the Cork Events Centre project is going back to tender. This decision was made following advice from the Attorney General because the original 2014 procurement process could not support the increased level of grant funding now required. While BAM was the original contractor, the re-tendering process means other construction companies can now bid on the project. BAM has applied for a five-year extension to its planning permission for the site.
Claim: "...the new bridge across the Lee is currently being dubbed a 'bridge to nowhere'." Fact-check: This is accurate. The new pedestrian bridge, which connects Proby's Quay to the undeveloped Events Centre site, has been dubbed a "bridge to nowhere" by some. However, Cork City Council has confirmed that a publicly accessible and well-lit pathway will be built through the Events Centre site. This will connect the new bridge to South Main Street, allowing the public to use the bridge while awaiting progress on the events centre. Therefore, while it has been called a "bridge to nowhere," it will have a purpose.