[Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Elizabeth Fort In line with Government restrictions, Elizabeth Fort was closed to the public until late April 2021. While visitors began to return in May the continued impact of travel restrictions and almost total absence of international visitors meant overall visitor numbers to the Fort in 2021 were considerably less than pre Covid levels. Despite these challenging circumstances, some 24,500 people visited the Fort in 2021. During the summer, Elizabeth Fort provided a unique outdoor venue for an extensive programme of outdoor activities. These included performances as part of the Midsummer Festival and the Everyman Palace Theatre summer programme. Events were well attended with restricted audience numbers in line with Covid guidelines for outdoor events. The Fort also hosted a pavilion during Design Pop festival and organised activities to mark Heritage Day. Capital investment in Elizabeth Fort continued with support from the government’s Historic Structures Fund to support replacement of roof and dormer windows of the old garda barracks. In addition, Cork City Council secured €250,000 from the Outdoor Public Space Scheme to enhance the use of Elizabeth Fort as an outdoor public space. A cross Directorate
working group within City Council, involving the Arts Office, Tourism, Architects and Property sections is now progressing these works, including a new weatherproofed outdoor stage which will greatly enhance the future use of the Fort for outdoor performances and activities without compromising its current use as a visitor attraction.
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