Brewery site would be ideal cultural quarter

THE future of the Beamish and Crawford site at South Gate Bridge in Cork is a “no-brainer”.

The Crawford School of Art at nearby Sharman Crawford Street is operating from a building which is in need of major refurbishment and is in any case totally unsuited for the requirements of a modern visual arts college.

In the meantime, Cork’s new College of Architecture is housed in temporary accommodation in Copley Street.

The Beamish and Crawford site would make a wonderful city-centre campus for both these institutions. New purpose-built art and architecture colleges would provide a core for the revival of the entire South Gate area as a cultural quarter and secure the future of Cork’s long and noble tradition in the visual arts. And wouldn’t it be so appropriate – renewing the link between the Crawford name and visual education in our city.

Peter Murray

Ferry House

Currabinny

Carrigaline

Co Cork