Plans to axe 115 parking spaces from Morrison’s Island to facilitate a flood relief scheme are necessary to transform the city centre, says Cork Chamber president Bill O’Connell.

The brother of a homeless man who died while sleeping on the streets of Cork said there is a grieving family behind each of these tragedies.

Design experts behind the €6m revamp of Cork’s Morrison’s Island, which integrates flood defences with public realm upgrades, believe it “strikes the right balance” between protecting the area’s heritage and reducing flood risk.

Plans for flood defences to protect one of Cork City’s most flood-prone areas as part of a major public realm upgrade have gone on public display.

Planning permission for the first phase of Cork’s long-awaited €140m flood defences could be sought before the end of the month.

As Cork City Council and the Office of Public Works draw up plans to erect controversial flood defences in the city centre, the Irish Examiner brings you an alternative view. All this week, we highlight the shortlisted entries to the Save Cork City competition to unlock the potential of Morrisson’s Island in the heart of the city centre and reimagine what its future might hold. Some are brave. Some are bold. But all are designed to spark debate. The overall winner will be revealed in the Irish Examiner next Monday.

As Cork City Council and the Office of Public Works draw up plans to erect controversial flood defences in the city centre, the Irish Examiner brings you an alternative view. All this week, we highlight the shortlisted entries to the Save Cork City competition to unlock the potential of Morrisson’s Island in the heart of the city centre and reimagine what its future might hold. Some are brave. Some are bold. But all are designed to spark debate. The overall winner will be revealed in the Irish Examiner next Monday.

A new tourist train is set to roll through the streets of Cork city from next month, thanks to a €100,000 public investment which includes a €10,000 grant to cover large insurance costs.

 

IT IS not often that one can include the trade union movement and a stained glass window in the one sentence.

A Roma woman with no income has been caught in a Catch-22 where she is now begging to pay €1,000 in fines imposed on her for begging.

Cian Heffernan is from Carrigaline, Co Cork, and is project co-ordinator for Culture Night, Cork County 2015. He also plays drums with John Blek and the Rats, whose new album is released next week. culturenightcorkcounty.ie

ENGLAND: Trust in pollsters is low after their failure to forecast the Tory majority in the general election a poll has found. 

Tom Spalding reviews a new book on Holy Trinity Church and the discovery of its Harry Clarke window.

Shocked parishioners have said prayers at a church in England where their vicar is under arrest for murdering a baby.

Work on restoring a 17th century Tholsel is expected to start next month in Co Tipperary following confirmation of government funding for the project.

Tributes were paid to a 66-year-old sailor "who died doing what he loved best", at his funeral in Schull, West Cork yesterday. Douglas Perrin died after his boat capsized at the mouth of Schull Harbour last Wednesday. His body was recovered by rescue services the following morning.

Eoin English looks at the skilled conservation work now underway to restore the National Monument on Grand Parade ahead of the Easter Rising commemorations planned for Cork in 2016

Plans for a €60m flood relief scheme for Cork have been described as "visually illiterate" by a local author who fears some of the city’s historic riverside fixtures will be lost as part of the project.

Ryanair has defended its use of a photograph of Cork to promote flights to Dublin in a French newspaper — by claiming nowhere in the capital looked as nice.

As Australian rugby still smoulders, Lions' hero Jonathan Sexton stepped into the cloistered calm of Adare’s 13th century Holy Trinity Church to marry his schooldays sweetheart, Laura Priestley.

Irish rugby ace Johnny Sexton admitted yesterday he’s got the jitters ahead of his wedding today.

The mother of Dean Fitzpatrick was unable to attend his funeral this morning.

Gardaí have warned women to be careful when withdrawing cash from ATMs and financial institutions in Cork City due to a high risk of robbery.

Cathy Durkin’s three young children brought a family photograph, a camera, an apron, and story books to the altar for her funeral Mass in Dublin yesterday.

The man responsible for starting Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin on his political career died yesterday afternoon.

A British soldier killed in a landmine blast in Afghanistan has been laid to rest beside his baby daughter in the North.

IRA kidnap victim Dr Tiede Herrema yesterday publicly acknowledged the humility of a priest who played a key role in his release 35 years ago.

Hundreds of thousands of people turned out for an outdoor mass celebrated by the pope today at the Portuguese shrine of Fatima.

Police are today investigating the latest in a series of attacks on properties linked to a Co Antrim church.

THERE’S something about a long, rhododendren driveway — the sense of anticipation — the glory of age.

CORK will be ringing to the sweet harmony of barbershop singing during a major international competition next month.

THE great love Garda Brian Kelleher had for his wife and three little boys was recalled at his funeral yesterday.

STRICT guidelines to protect Cork’s skyline from development have been drawn up.

A BRITISH father who is accused of killing his six-year-old son in a fall from a hotel balcony made an unsuccessful attempt to kill himself in prison, his lawyer said last night.

As if the English city of Oxford, with its dreaming spires and historic university, did not have enough to attract visitors, Hollywood has once again propelled it into the limelight and on to the tourist map.

ADARE is adding new icing to the multi-million euro business which makes it the wedding capital of the country.

THE best - and the most expensive - has been kept for last at roof level in Cork’s Trinity Court.

CELEBRATIONS to mark Pope John Paul’s visit 25 years ago begin at the ancient Clonmacnoise monastic site tomorrow.

POLICE were continuing to question a 42-year-old man in connection with the murder of a mother-of-four yesterday as mourners began to gather for her funeral.

THE town of Warrington fell silent yesterday to mark the 10th anniversary of its bombing