THE “IRISH” version of Cork’s English Market returns to its original trading space at the historic Coal Quay tomorrow following 18 months of street refurbishment works.
The completion of a €4 million redevelopment of Cornmarket Street will mean traders return to the new pedestrian-friendly streetscape in a series of revamped stalls.
Capital works carried out by Cork City Council on the old Coal Quay area focused on the creation of more space for stalls in an improved trading environment. The market was temporarily moved to Emmet Square to accommodate the refurbishment works.
“The whole traffic arrangement was redeveloped to incorporate a natural flow of footfall through the city from the Grand Parade to Kyrl’s Quay, broadening the core of the city outwards,” said city council senior executive officer Paul Moynihan. “The dominance of the car is now gone and the street is more friendly to pedestrians.”
The design incorporates marble pods and street benches. It is a continuation of the architect Beth Gali’s inspired revamp of St Patrick Street and the Grand Parade with a focus on trading space in keeping with the area’s historic trading links.
The original “Irish” version of the English Market was St Peter’s Market, which was housed in what is now the Bodega bar and restaurant on Cornmarket Street. The building dates from 1843 and was built to house an indoor trading space for Irish working-class Catholics.
“The native Irish people were not allowed into the English Market, not many people know that. The building has a very colourful history,” Bodega owner Benny McCabe said.
Following local government reform in the 1840s, a Catholic majority was returned to form a “reformed corporation” in Cork. A market committee was established which led to the creation of St Peter’s Market.
While the committee tried to entice traders from Cornmarket Street into the indoor market with low rents, it suffered a decline and was eventually handed over for use as a munitions store for the British during the first World War.
“It’s been tough going doing business there as work went on over the past 18 months but we wholeheartedly welcome the return of the street traders,” Mr McCabe said.
Mr Moynihan thanked business owners for their co-operation during the works period and said plans for an official event to mark the reopening are under way.