Artwork to put life back into derelict city sites

Vacant shop windows are being transformed into artistic tourist information panels as part of a new approach to tackle dereliction in Cork City.

Business groups have described the move as a welcome short-term cosmetic exercise, but said cutting rates and tackling the cost of city centre parking must also be considered in the longer term.

Figures from last year showed that Cork was one of the hardest hit cities during the recession, with an average retail unit vacancy rate of 20%.