Cork to ‘rock’ as plans unveiled to develop geology museum

CORK is poised to become the capital of all things rock.

Plans were unveiled last night for the development of a geology museum, entitled Ireland Rocks, as part of a €1 million revamp of a disused building at the famed North Monastery college.

There are also hopes that it could become a National Geological Repository.

It will become one of the city’s main visitor attractions and will also become an important educational resource, targeting primary and second-level schools, city manager Joe Gavin said.

He presented a report to councillors last night outlining the city’s proposals for the building, bought by the city last year.

Mr Gavin said the city council is working with University College Cork (UCC) to develop the geology museum.

The city will adapt the building while UCC will provide and manage the artefacts.

The core theme would be based around the formation of the Earth with its structure, processes and materials.

It would feature a visitor attraction centre and galleries, exhibitions, demonstrations and tours.

Mr Gavin said the city has used this partnership approach in the award-winning Blackrock Castle Observatory, with Cork Institute of Technology.

The new museum has a working title — The National Earth Science Discovery Centre.

Mr Gavin also revealed plans to use the building’s first floor to accommodate the Cork Academy of Music, established on the city’s northside in 1994 to provide access to music education in disadvantaged communities.

Another part of the building will house Commonground — a resource centre for the community and voluntary sector.

The three projects will cost about €1 million. Mr Gavin said work will be funded from the profits made on the purchase and sale of Navigation House on Albert Quay.