RSUA Study Trip 2023 – Cork
21/6/23
The Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) organised a study trip to Cork from 16-18 June 2023. The destination had been chosen by previous RSUA President Donal MacRandal and had originally been intended to take place in June 2020. The intention of the trip was to explore what Belfast and Derry/Londonderry could learn from the Republic of Ireland’s 2nd largest city.
The study trip was kindly curated by Conor McKenna (Conor McKenna Architects) with support from RSUA staff.
Itinerary
Friday 16 June 2023
The trip began with the group meeting bright and early at Lanyon Train Station in Belfast to embark on their nearly 6 hour journey to Cork. During the train journeys the group where treated to a range of talks by members of the group; Conor McKenna, Ciaran Mackel and Eamonn Scullion.
First on the agenda after arriving in Cork was a quick visit to the Shannon Bells & Tower, St Anne’s Church. St. Anne’s has been described as, “the most important ecclesiastical structure of any period, within the the city of Cork”. The group had the opportunity to climb the tower and ring the original 18th Century Bells.
St Anne’s Church
Next was a short walk over to the Cork Centre for Architectural Education where City Architect Tony Duggan and Senior Executive Architect Cathal O’Boyle spoke to the group about ‘The Future of Cork City’. It was an interesting and informative talk which showcased how they put architecture and urban design at the heart of senior management thinking.
Following this the group enjoyed a drinks reception sponsored by Jacobs in the beautiful grounds of Nano Nagle Place. Attendees also had the opportunity to tour the Nano Nagel Museum where they learnt about the inspiring life of a young wealthy catholic girl and her ambitions to help the impoverished people of Cork City.
Saturday 17 June 2023
Saturday began with a visit to Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, one of the finest examples of French Neo-Gothic Cathedral architecture in Ireland. Designed by William Burges the Cathedral boasts over 1,500 stone and wood carvings, spectacular stained glass windows, marble features and floor mosaics crafted by Italian craftsmen.
Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral
The group dodged a rainstorm and made their way over to the University College Cork (UCC) Campus where they met Willie Carey, Director, O’Donnell + Tuomey. Willie took the group on a walking tour of the beautiful UCC Campus which included visits to the Glucksman Gallery, Cavanagh Bridge and the UCC Student Hub.
On Saturday afternoon Eamonn Scullion from Jacobs took the group on a walking tour of the city as he discussed the plans for the Light Rail Transit System in Cork. The Luas Cork will be a 18km light rail line from Ballincollig to Mahon, facilitating the movement of 2200 passengers per hour and 16 million passengers per year.
The group then made their way over to Bishop Lucey Park to meet Alastair Hall from Hall McKnight. Alastair discussed the competition winning plans for the redevelopment of the urban park. The competition, ran by Cork City Council and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) was open to any architect-led team from around the world and offered a first prize of €15,000, with an opportunity to develop the scheme to completion. Hall McKnight was announced as the winning project in June 2020 with the work due to start shortly.
On Saturday evening the group had their evening meal, sponsored by JP Corry in the Metropole Hotel.
Sunday 18 June 2023
Before heading back to Belfast on Sunday the group took part in a walking tour of Cork by local historian Tom Spalding.
Sponsors
A drinks reception on the Friday evening and a meal for all guests on the Saturday night were made possible thanks to the kind support of our study trip sponsors, Jacobs and JP Corry.
