Tarmac cover on story of a city’s evolution

ALL the giant limestone blocks extending onto the road at Morrison’s Island along Fr Mathew Quay in Cork have been tarred over.

The giant limestone blocks stretched for a few hundred metres opposite the School of Music on Union Quay.

One of the greatest works carried out by the city authorities was the reclaiming of the marshes east of the city walls. Dunscomb’s Marsh, between Patrick Street and the South Mall, and Dunbar’s Marsh (Morrison’s Island) were reclaimed during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

Most of the canal streets were arched over by 1832 when South Mall was complete. Previously a bridge went across from Morrison's Island to Cork Street (now Cook Street).

It is a sad day when City Hall is turning its back on its own rich maritime and urban culture.

Tomás Ó Scannláin

18 Bóthar Sruthán na Coile

Baile an Easpaig

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