When Fiona Ryan resigned her seat on Cork City Council in May it took many people by surprise. Ryan was a vocal and visible presence in local politics, and the People Before Profit/Solidarity councillor looked set for a bright career.

A few weeks back there was a bit of a stir when attention was drawn to the loss of a benchmark (which has since been reinstated), a carved wall marking, due to works at the bottom of Patrick’s Hill.

Last week's decision by councillors in City Hall to allow the Freemasons Lodge on Tuckey Street to extend into Bishop Lucey Park behind raised the ire of many due to a number of issues. One issue is particularly irksome

Sunday afternoon. A different perspective on the city for yours truly.

The place was plódaithe from one end to the other with what seemed like half a dozen different touring groups

We need gates to this city — not to keep people out, but as places where we can clearly declare to one and all: 'This is Cork' 

On a recent trip into town, I ducked out of the heat and into Vibes and Scribes second-hand shop, where I happened across Vive Moi!, Seán Ó Faoláin’s autobiography. On offer for the extremely reasonable sum of €5.

"Do you take off in a plane not knowing if there’ll be an airport for it at the other end?"

In a lot of places in Cork there are traffic measures in place. They just aren’t observed. Or enforced

Reaction to the planning refusal has been almost entirely negative, with many pointing out it is a space drawing hundreds of people to a previously derelict part of the city