PLANS ARE under way to transform the historic Shandon area in Cork city in to a major tourist attraction similar to Covent Garden in Britain.
Shandon in Cork's northside could be in for a €16 million face-lift subject to a guarantee on funding from Fáilte Ireland.
City councillors are expected to support a submission to Fáilte Ireland at a meeting this evening. The council is seeking in the region of €12 million in funding for the project. A further €4 to €5 million shortfall will be made up by Cork City Council.
The aim of the development is to emphasise Cork's claim as Ireland's top food region.
It is understood the new visitor attraction centre at the heart of the scheme would be called the Shandon Butter Exchange. The existing Cork Butter Museum would be upgraded and expanded as part of the proposed centre.
The development would include a national food and drink museum, an entertainment space, a banqueting area, and music galleries.
The centre would house the prestigious Ceol traditional music and culture exhibition secured by the local council last year. It would also have a "Tasting Ireland" exhibition space for cookery classes and food demonstrations.
Meanwhile, Cork City Council has acquired the existing Shandon Crafts Centre and the Weighmaster's House. It also has secured property at the rear of the butter museum.
Earlier this year Fáilte Ireland announced major plans regarding reinvestment in visitor attractions and the expansion of various commercial visitor activities.
Fáilte Ireland called on interested parties to apply for grant funding for the development of visitor attractions and activities under the Tourism Capital Investment Programme.
Up to three new visitor attractions will be sought. Any project to be considered must involve a minimum qualifying expenditure of in the region of €5 million, with a maximum qualifying ceiling of €12 million. Cork City Council hope to receive the bulk of the funding for the Shandon site via this scheme.
Shandon has for many years been seen as a centre of real cultural value in Cork.
St Anne's Church in Shandon is known more for its bells than the structure that houses them, due to the famous song "The Bells of Shandon" written by Francis Sylvester Mahony.
The church, which sits on top of a hill overlooking the River Lee, is a prominent landmark in the city. The church was built in 1726 on the site of an earlier church, which was destroyed in 1690.
Shandon is also known for the Cork Butter Museum - the home of 19th century Cork's famous Butter Exchange. The exchange featured the traditional craft of home butter making.
The proposed new redevelopment of Shandon has been warmly welcomed in Cork with Cllr Damien Wallace of Fianna Fáil saying that it demonstrates the city council's commitment to "renewing and revitalising" the area.