The work in progress that is the city by the Lee begins to take shape

WITH Cork city and environs getting ready for Capital of Culture status in a year’s time, 2005, the city’s physical realm really had a feel of being a work in progress during 2003.

The city seemed to belatedly rise from its slumbers of the past decade when it lagged behind the revitalising progress seen in Limerick, Dublin, Waterford and Galway.

Cranes went back on skylines, upwards of a dozen tower cranes in the city and suburbs and long-dormant sites got into construction gear and hundred of millions in investment cash started to flow.