Out with the new and in with the old

THE truly remarkable aspect of the Cork city centre Better Buildings Awards 2003 announced yesterday is that without exception the first prize winner in every category — including that for Best New Development — went to old buildings.

Victorian red-brick and graceful old, cut-limestone facades swept all before them in diverse categories which ranged from best retail frontage through best pub front, best commercial frontage, best signage, best new development and the judges own choice, a restaurant and living over the shop development at Bridge Street.

Cork does not lack new buildings and the all the winners have carried out development works on their impeccably maintained premises. But the message coming through possibly much more loudly and clearly than anyone intended is: "Out with the new and in with the old".