2. UNDERSTANDING THE PLACE
Historic Heart The Historic Heart of Shandon features several key attractions, including landmark buildings, the Shandon Bells, Firkin Crane, and medieval winding streets. It also includes two main green spaces: St Anne’s Park and Dr. Mary Hearns Memorial Park. The proposed reuse of the prominent Butter Exchange building offers both a new focus for activity in Shandon. and the opportunity to activate several Council owned buildings in the area. These include Weighmaster’s House immediately next to the Exchange and two buildings along John Redmond Street, currently of interest to Cork Community Land Trust. There are areas for improvement, such as addressing parking within the key public realm areas adjacent to the Firkin Crane and Shandon Bells. There is also a lack of cafés, restaurants and meeting places in the area. St Anne’s Park, while a calm oasis, lacks facilities to attract regular visitors, with no play areas or significant historical references to the Shandon Bells. While Dr. Mary Hearns Memorial Park suffers from anti-social behaviour, in part due to its single entry point from Bob and Joan’s Walk offering limited footfall. Although the area has many cultural venues/ assets, the Shandon Street Festival, a popular cultural event, stopped a few years ago. Many residents are interested in reviving it. The IUS will consider addressing these needs include enhancing heritage sites, improving accessibility, creating open spaces in surrounding laneway areas, de-cluttering the area in front of Firkin Crane and the Butter Exchange, and restoring the Weighmaster’s House with it providing an active frontage to Church Street.
Central Laneways The main features of the area include its connection to Shandon Street and the historic heart, alongside modern infill development. However, there is scope for improvement due to the loss of character from the demolition of residential and industrial warehouse structures, and the gradual loss of historic fabric such as historical material used for walls and the general streetscape. Additionally, vacancy and dereliction are prevalent issues. The IUS will consider enhancing the connection to Shandon Street, providing guidance on future development, and implementing a refuse strategy. Improvements to the general streetscape of the area by re-instating historic street features such as wyndstone kerbs.
E
C
D
A
Chapel Street
A
Eason’s Hill
St Anne’s Park
Shandon Bells
Church Street
B
E
Weighmaster’s House
Bob and Joan’s Walk
D
Dr Mary Hearns Memorial Park
Butter Exchange
B
6A/7 John Redmond Street Buildings
Butter Market
John Redmond Street
Dominick Street
Firkin Crane
C
17
Powered by FlippingBook