Cork’s ‘RDS’ aims to expand

Proposals to roof over the 55,000 sq ft exhibition halls at Cork Showgrounds and accommodate trade shows, have banqueting space for up to 1,300 people, two dressage arenas or one showjumping arena, four tennis courts and other options have been submitted to Cork City Council.

PLANS to revitalise the Cork Showgrounds, the southern city’s equivalent of the RDS in Dublin, have beenpresented to Cork City Council.

And, the operators, Munster Agriculture Society, aim to have the urban amenity availableby 2005, the European City of Culture date.

Set in the city’s docklands masterplan area, the amenity lands are owned by the local authority but held on long lease terms by Munster Agricultural Society who are set to wake the site from its relative slumbers.

With over 20 acres to play around with, the under-used showgrounds have scope to host and be home to a wide range of activities.

The main proposed development is to roof over the 55,000 sq ft exhibition halls which currently have two large open courtyards ringed by old but sound buildings: once done, this multi-purpose space could accommodate trade shows, have banqueting space for up to 1,300 people, have two dressage arenas or one showjumping arena, hold four tennis courts and other options.

The site has several buildings, including a long cattle hall, about 1,000’ in length, and also proposed is a green park area, bars and restaurant.

The showgrounds site, along Monahan Road in Ballintemple and near the Marina, adjoins Pairc Ui Chaoimh, and the extensive lands could also hold a full-size training pitch for the GAA, two hockey pitches, or a soccer pitch, says development committee spokesperson Gerard Murphy.

The lands, just a mile or so east of the city centre, were once part of the old Cork Racecourse, and the showgrounds society dates back to 1857.

In 1921 it adopted a constitution to develop agriculture, sciences, and education and up to six years ago ran the largest annual summer show outside of Dublin.

Currently, the grounds are used for a mix of events, from horse and dog shows, car shows, funfairs, circuses, homes and gardens exhibitions and the Funderland visit, but have considerably more scope.

City manager Joe Gavin has pushed for the facilities to be upgraded and opened up, either by the society or some other group, and last week the agricultural society met with him to outline their own proposals, while City of Culture officials are also being briefed on the plans drafted by Wain Morehead architects.

The development committee are seeking proposals and comment from interested sporting and community groups. Details: e mail [e-mail]