date from the 1700s, in particular Clarkes Bridge, which was once the widest bridge on the island of Ireland. The widening and deepening of the channels made significant improvement to ‘scourge’ of flooding in early 19th Century Cork as described by Windele (1839) where: “formerly the City was subject to frequent inundations, causing much damage, and it was no unusual thing to see boats plying through the open streets. These visitations have of late years been scarcely perceived, owing to the greater capacity of the channels; and it may be presumed that plying by boats over the paved ways of the City, will not occur again”. 1.228 The shape of the channel itself, with the almost right angle of the bend at Trinity Bridge and again at Crosses Green were informed by older tidal channels and can be traced in shape over the centuries through the old maps of the city. Weirs dating back many centuries, creating pools used by the tanning and brewing industries, are also evident along this section of the river adding interest at low tide.
Building Typology and Character Defining Elements
1.224 There are a number of infrastructural and architectural elements that contribute to the overall character and special interest of the River Lee South Channel. These include but are not limited to, weirs, different types of moorings, limestone walls, railings, piers, steps, slips and bridges. 1.225 Ashlar masonry of Cork limestone quay walls have significant civil engineering value and represent the emergence of the modern Cork city out of the intricate swampy channels of what was once estuarine marshland. Historic bridges in addition to being focal points and historic access routes add significantly to the historic character of the area.
Architectural
Historical
1.226 The quay walls tell the story of how the city developed over the centuries. A vast number of architecturally significant structures are located along the quaysides of the river where they overlook, interact, and utilise the river. The materials used, local limestone in particular, are of a quality and mass which is irreplaceable today. The craftsmanship that went into carving historic fabric for the piers, bridges and quay walls would be extremely difficult/ prohibitive to replace if lost.
1.229 The river itself is the foundation of Cork’s success as a merchant city and its history from first settlement is well documented in maps where the form of the river can be traced through changes to its final path. The provisions trade during the late eighteenth century was internationally significant and made possible by the large harbour and navigable harbour and navigable river Lee. The timber fenders fitted to the quay walls are of great historical significance, the scale of which is not seen anywhere else in the UK and Ireland. Timbers along the South Channel have been identified as from the same time where a large-scale fender plan was initiated between 1984-1986 to protect the quay walls.
Technical
1.227 The course of the river Lee through the modern city centre has been an elaborate exercise in engineering from the earliest marsh land existence of settlement here. The bridges and their locations
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Cork City Draft Development Plan 2022-2028
Volume 3 I Part 1
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