GAA in race for Cork showgrounds

The Munster Agricultural Show Society today confirmed it is awaiting details of two probable bids for its showgrounds in Cork city.

One proposal envisages a potential 5,000-seat conference centre on the site in Blackrock, while the second proposal is from the GAA.

The 22-acre site, adjoining Páirc Uí Chaoimh, is owned by the city council but held on long lease by the society, who turned down a City Hall bid of just under €2m to purchase back the lease.

President of the society, George Jeffrey, said they had requested a detailed business plan from two parties who had indicated an interest in purchasing, in full or part of, that lease.

Mr Jeffrey said he expected to see proposals as early as September, but said that until then he could not speculate on the future of the grounds.

The GAA plan is understood to involve major upgrading of the Páirc Uí Chaoimh stadium, which adjoins the site, but may also allow for ancillary development with private sector partners, such as a conference centre and a hotel.

It is thought City Hall would be supportive of the GAA concept, as are increasing numbers of show society members who agree the site could be developed as a major amenity asset for the city.

Cork City Manager Joe Gavin, in confirming their bid had been turned down, told the Evening Echo their negotiations were “not now active”. He described the city hall proposal as being “on ice”.

Had City Hall secured the lease, they were confident of securing a new investor to fund a major amenity project on the site.

That included possibly doing a deal to allow the GAA undertake the upgrading of their Cork GAA headquarters, together with enabling further amenity development on the site.