May 2023

DRINAN STREET

May 19, 2023 by infomatique

CONNECTING SULLIVAN’S QUAY AND COVE STREET

This is part of a complex collection of streets and lanes and there is a large construction site (where the tax office building was located) in the immediate area. It would appear that there are a number of English Language Colleges on the street.

Among the main industries in the parish during the 18th and 19th centuries were the brewing, malting and glass making industries. No fewer than six breweries and two malthouses were operating in a concentrated area between today’s Sharman Crawford Street and Drinan Street, with two other malthouses situated on Rutland Street and Morrison’s Island.

THE MARDYKE BRIDGE IN CORK

May 18, 2023 by infomatique

THE LEE WALK IN MAY 2023

I have explored the Lee Walk in Cork a number of times but I did not know that this was known as the Mardyke Bridge.

The North Mall to Mardyke section of the Lee Walk was dedicated by the Lord Mayor, Cllr. Deirdre Clune, on 1st February 2006. The bridge is a single span construction made of steel, stretching some 57 metres in length and having a 3 metre-wide footpath cantilevered from the bottom chord of the arch. Integral to the design is a circular viewing platform built into cantilever retaining walls, adjoining the north bank seat.

The bank seats are of reinforced concrete and have architecturally shaped parapets resting on precast concrete piles, driven 10-15 metres into the ground. The bridge is stiffened by the steel deck top plate which helps control its deflections and dampen its dynamics. The plate prevents the arch member from deflecting too much out of plane. Mardyke bridge was manufactured off site with the finishing touches and assembly done on site, upon which it was lifted into position in a single operation.

THE KINO ON WASHINGTON STREET IN CORK

May 17, 2023 by infomatique

CURRENT MURAL IS NOT AS INTERESTING AS THE JACKIE OH MURAL

Dragon by Dan Leo has replaced the Jackie Oh mural at the Kino on Washington Street in Cork and to be honest I am a bit disappointed but that does not mean that I do not like the new artwork. Also, the Banger Events sign does not help.

The Kino was a 250 capacity arthouse cinema and music venue. Recently, not sure when, the Kino cultural complex reopened as a fully-licenced bar and nightclub.

Washington Street is a street in central Cork city, Ireland. Built in 1824, it runs from the old medieval town centre onto the site of the western marshes, and today links the Western Road and Lancaster Quay with the Grand Parade.

O’DRISCOLL’S IN DOUGLAS SINCE 1885

May 17, 2023 by infomatique

O’DRISCEOIL

Note: Ceoil is the Irish for music.

O’Driscoll’s is the oldest pub in Douglas village. It Maintains an old, Irish vibe while retaining its status as a vibrant weekend pub.

Back in April 2019 I read the following in a local publication “A primely set, corner investment property in the heart of Cork’s suburban Douglas village which once was the focus for an €8m bar and restaurant venture is for sale for €1.75m plus Vat, let to three tenants and earning €174,000 a year in rent.” At the time the key tenants were Boylesports, O’Driscolls Bar and a Chinese restaurant, the Rose Garden. The property had previously traded for decades as the family-owned O’Driscoll’s Bar.

YUAN MING YUAN RESTAURANT

May 13, 2023 by infomatique

17 PRINCES STREET CORK

I really like the interior of this restaurant and I have made a number of attempts to photograph it but I have always been disappointed by the results. The interior is very dark but there are one or two really strong lights that overpower the sensors … I tried underexposing but the resulting noise is unacceptable.

Cork City has many excellent restaurants but unfortunately many of them do not open until 5PM or 6PM and that does not suit. Most do not open on Mondays and others are closed on Tuesdays (maybe Monday and Tuesdays). The selection of Chinese restaurants is somewhat limited so by default I usually have lunch at Yuan Ming Yuan as I really like the restaurant (especially the staff).

Some reviews mentioned that only the set menu was available at lunch time but I did not find this to be the case as I was offered the Dim Sum and à la carte menus as well as the lunch menu. The Dim Sum was excellent but I ordered much more than I could eat.