Shandon gets a new lease of life with plaza and major renovations

One of the most charming and historic parts of Cork city is undergoing a quiet renaissance due to an €500,000 investment in its public spaces, cultural and community offering.

A new €38,000 European-style plaza has been developed by Cork City Council in the heart of Cork city’s historical quarter just beneath the Shandon Bells and alongside the Cork Butter Museum and Firkin Crane.

Paving has been upgraded and five new benches installed at the new Shandon plaza to encourage  locals and visitors to enjoy the meandering charm of an area of the city that dates back to the 12th century.

And, the Firkin Crane, the home of dance in Cork, is also enjoying a €360,000 makeover with a new glazed entrance way, a full renovation of the Musgrave Theatre and the installation of new motorised seating.

Cork City Council’s tourism section has fully funded the plaza scheme while Cork City Council, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Musgrave family are funding the Firkin Crane renovation.

Lord Mayor, Cllr Tony Fitzgerald said: “Home to the ‘Four Faced Liar’ and to some of the city’s most historic laneways, Cork is close to the heart of every Corkonian. It also has a growing reputation for the annual summer Shandon Street Festival, the Spirit of Mother Jones Festival and the Dragon of Shandon Festival at Halloween so any public realm benefits should be enjoyed by the city’s festival goers”.

Local trader and member of the Shandon Area Renewal Association (SARA), Shandon Business Association and Tidy Towns, James Nolan said that the plaza “is making a huge difference to locals and to business”.

“It’s a lovely secluded spot with great views and so locals and tourists are making use of it, sitting down and soaking up the atmosphere and that means that they are spending money in nearby businesses”.

Firkin Crane CEO, Paul Mc Carthy said: “The renovations at the Firkin Crane are taking place in two parts but already our new light and airy entrance and foyer are spectacular. As part of the project, the Musgrave Theatre will also now be an exhibition space that all sectors of the community can come and experience a range of dance experiences every day”.

Shandon has been taking part in the Tidy Towns Competition for six years and recent investment in the area should benefit them in the competition, says James Nolan.

“Year on year, we have  improved our marking in the Tidy Towns and no doubt this public realm improvement and tourism investment will help us further. In June, we have our annual Shandon Festival and we’re hoping to launch it from the new plaza and use the space as part of our events programme.

In addition to developing the plaza area, Cork City Council’s Tourism Section is also producing a visitor booklet highlighting the charms of Shandon.