Michael Moynihan: 13 questions about Cork event centre — one of the greatest shambles of modern times

“The Government is to demand that the long-delayed Cork event centre goes back out to tender before any more State funding is provided,” the lads reported.

Well, they probably spoiled nobody’s breakfast for the simple reason that this has been one of the greatest shambles of modern times. The only way anyone could be surprised now would be if progress were reported.

And don’t think ‘greatest shambles’ is overstating matters. Because going back out to tender may involve the organisation most closely identified with this project. Again.

2: Does this mean we have to deal with BAM?

Back to Eoin and Elaine’s piece a couple of days ago: “While the development would have to go back out to tender," one Government source said: "The reality is there are very few in Ireland that can do this type of specialised project other than BAM.”

Is it?

This from the Fingal County Council website last June.

“Another major milestone in the development of the Swords Cultural Quarter was reached today with the appointment of Duggan Brothers (Contractors) Ltd as the building contractor for the construction of the new Cultural Centre and residential developments at Seatown Road, Swords ...

“The overall development, which will cost in excess of €60m, provides for the construction of a Cultural Centre containing a new County Library and a 165-seat theatre along with an art gallery, arts spaces, a maker space and a café.” 

By the way, the Swords Cultural Centre was “designed by award-winning architects O’Donnell and Tuomey”.

Would the lads from both Duggan Brothers and O’Donnell and Tuomey come down on the train to Cork at all?

3: How much is it?

That figure is on the internet.

Charcoalblue, which points to “a reputation as the world's leading integrated Theatre, Acoustic and Experience Consultancy service” is working with venue designers Populous to “create a concept design” which includes “the capability to host major sports events, conferences and trade shows.” Yours truly pointed out recently that Populous’s website suggested ice hockey as a potential use for the venue — look up the piece, you’ll enjoy it — but Charcoalblue has a figure on its website for the cost: €53m. Right now it sounds like a bargain.

4: Why the uncertainty?

Where do you start?

One example: in September 2023 Eoin English reported here that the consortium behind the Event Centre, BAM and Live Nation, “had submitted final detailed designs for the proposed venue to city planners as part of the planning compliance process linked to the 2020 grant of planning for the building on South Main St.

“Chief executive of Cork City Council, Ann Doherty, said the detailed designs which were completed by the consortium in July ‘indicate an increase in the cost of the event centre over previous estimates’.

“As discussions with the consortium are continuing in respect of this increase, it is not possible at this time to confirm a revised timetable for its delivery,” she said.” 

 The following month the chief executive told The Echo: “Where is it at? It’s fully designed. It’s fully planned. It’s ready to go but there is a gap, a gap in funding which is associated with building inflation.” 

5: Will we see the famous 2016 picture of the sod-turning again?

That shows lord mayor of Cork Chris O’Leary, tánaiste Joan Burton, enterprise minister Simon Coveney, Live Nation Ireland CEO Mike Adamson, taoiseach Enda Kenny, and Bam Ireland CEO Theo Cullinane.

Since then O’Leary lost his seat in the (2019) local election, Burton lost her seat in the (2020) general election, Kenny retired, Coveney will not contest the next election, and Cullinane has retired. Adamson is the only one still in situ.

6: How much revenue has Cork lost?

Technical term: a lot.

The usual comparison is with the 3Arena in Dublin but consider the INEC in Killarney instead. Forget concerts, events from trade shows to Irish dancing championships are worth millions to local businesses — by one metric every €1 spent on a ticket translates into over €6 for the local economy.

Years of revenue lost for want of an event centre, and a time when the hospitality sector is under particular pressure.

7: Where does National Geographic fit in?

Glad you asked. There was a flurry of excitement this week when Cork was named as one of NG’s 25 best places to visit. Social media cheerleaders may not have noticed the magazine said there were plans to “enhance the Cork Event Centre so it can host new concerts, festivals, and exhibitions”.

I believe something must be built to be enhanced.

It’s worth investigating who fed this line to NG — and how they swallowed it — but the irony is delicious.

(I believe No 26 was Narnia.) 

8: Will it ever be built?

If it can’t be progressed before a general election in the constituency of three senior Cabinet ministers when Ireland has an extra €13bn on hand then you’d have to doubt it.

9: Should the site be abandoned?

Fourteen years ago, the late Owen O’Callaghan proposed an event centre on Albert Quay — with more space, easier access, handy for buses and trains. That came to nothing.

What we have now is an empty site. The case of starting again looks strong.

10: Is the site of the event centre an ancient Fir Bolg burial ground?

The general area has seen parts of the quay wall fall into the river, the city council make a fool of itself by cleaning just a part of the South Gate Bridge, the Freemasons given public land for their own purposes, a plaza outside the old Beamish Counting House opened a couple of days a year . . . and the event centre, of course, an empty wilderness for nearly a decade.

An ancient curse would explain a lot.

11: Where to now?

Why other regions may be smirking about the non-event centre, or why Cork politicians have failed so abjectly to foreground the city’s needs is another day’s work.

Taoiseach Simon Harris got a task force to produce a report on rejuvenating Dublin over the summer, for instance.

Leading to question:

12: W here is Cork’s task force?

Exactly, where is it?

13: What’s the takeaway?

This shambles should be the bullet point at the top of the CV of anyone involved. It has cost millions, robbed the entire hinterland of untold revenue, and continues to function both as eyesore and reminder of ineptitude and inertia at official level.

Worst of all, it has made a laughing stock of Cork. It shows the city is without a champion. There is no one with the commitment, ability, and energy to drive this project. How can anyone be confident about the plans to spread the city down the quays or to build a metro system in Cork?

Those responsible should feel a sense of shame. Whether they do or not is an unanswerable question.