Outdoor food court in Cork city set to close this week

Fifth Quarter at Paul Street, Cork. Picture: TheFifthQuarterCork/Facebook

A popular outdoor food court in Cork city is set to close this week.

The Fifth Quarter plaza on Paul Street will cease trading on Friday, with its food trucks due to leave the area.

Announcing the decision on social media on Wednesday evening, the plaza thanked its vendors and customers for their support, saying it hopes to “bring a new and exciting concept to the space in the near future”.

In a statement, it said the venture had grown beyond expectations since opening.

“What started as an idea quickly became something much bigger , a place where people could gather, connect, support local businesses, and enjoy the atmosphere that filled the plaza each day,” it said.

"To everyone who embraced the concept, visited the food trucks, attended events, shared our content, brought friends along, or simply stopped by for a coffee and a chat, thank you. 

“Your support helped turn an empty square into a vibrant community space.” 

The Fifth Quarter also paid tribute to the traders who operated from the site.

“Their hard work, passion, and belief in the project helped create something truly special,” it said.

We are grateful to have shared this journey with them." 

It added: “While this marks the end of one exciting chapter, we are most certainly looking forward with excitement.” 

A number of the plaza’s vendors also confirmed on social media that they would be leaving the site this week, many expressing disappointment at the closure.

Truffle Dog Cork said it was “beyond disappointed” to be leaving, adding that it had “absolutely loved being part of the transformation of this area and truly hope this isn't the end”.

Little Vietnam Cork said it was “with sadness” that it would depart on Friday, describing the plaza as a “wonderful and vibrant community” and expressing hope it would not be the end of their journey in the space.

It added that the Fifth Quarter had brought "new life to this beautiful part of Cork City".

The vendor Cairo to Cork also announced its departure. "We hope this isn't the end of our journey together, but simply the end of this chapter," it said.