19th century map reveals bustling retail quarter

A UNIQUE 19th century map showing the rich history of one of Cork city’s newest shopping precincts was unveiled yesterday.

The insurance map of the area now known as Opera Lane dates from the 1800s.

It offers a fascinating insight into the history of the area’s former buildings and their inhabitants.

Two copies of the map were presented by the HSS Group to Ted Crosbie, a director of Thomas Crosbie Holdings, owners of the Irish Examiner, and to Owen O’Callaghan, the managing director of O’Callaghan Properties.

Mr O’Callaghan developed the €500 million Opera Lane project bounded by St Patrick Street, Emmet Place, and Academy Street. It now boasts dozens of stylish shops and apartments.

The headquarters of the Irish Examiner and its sister publication, the Evening Echo, which was launched in 1892, were at Academy Street.

Printing, dispatch and transportation activities extended to Faulkener’s Lane, Bowling Green Street and Half Moon Street.

The entire operation was relocated in 2007 to make way for the development of Opera Lane.

The historic map details newspaper offices, printing presses, a house of worship, Ireland’s largest cinema, a car sales and service showroom, wine merchants and shops which sold everything from fashion to fishing tackle, groceries to gear boxes, and railway tickets to radios.

Maps such as this were kept up-to-date by surveyors who marked the changes for insurance purposes over the years.

The changes were pasted on to the existing map like archaeological sediment.

Kieran Linehan, the managing director of HSS, said his group was very proud to be associated with the Opera Lane project as part of the project supervisor design process.

“This was an enormous project and we would like to pay tribute to all members of the design and construction team, but most importantly to the developers, O’Callaghan Properties, for their vision and determination to bring this project to fruition,” he said.

“It has led to a much-needed boost for the retail industry in Cork city centre and created vital employment opportunities.”