A while back, Donncha on Old of Cork Photos uploaded a series of images of Cork in 1987. The one that struck me was where the construction of the Multi-Storey Car Park at Marchants’ Quay was in progress – the shopping centre façade had not yet commenced.
I remember in 1986 working for a summer in a building with a window looking onto the construction site and spending quite some time watching the works. I was particularly impressed with one of the two tower cranes on site – it was on railway-type tracks and was able to move up and down the quay to the appropriate location as required.
Merchants’ Quay was regularly on my route home. Prior to the DeValera and Collins Bridges, St Patrick’s Bridge was the first available bridge to the north. Many times I passed the Shopping Centre and I do not think that I ever liked it.
Previously I blogged about the streetscape photograph, predating the shopping centre, which hangs in Dan Lowry’s.
A few months back at the Special Irish Interest window sale held annually at the Irish Cancer Society shop, I managed to spot these images of Merchants’ Quay before the shopping centre when obviously some buildings were let to deteriorate in advance of the overall redevelopment – still happening today.
We have had the magnifying glass out and have managed to decipher some of the stores and branding including – Jack Corkery’s Pig & Whistle; The Universal; Mulcahy Hairdressers – there was a recollection of there being a barber there but the use of 'hairdresser 'explained the lack of blood and bandage pole.
I learned that a ‘Kelvinator’ was a brand of fridge.
Could you imagine a city centre premises for Floor Cloth & Brush Manufacturers?
St Vincent’s Hostel was an imposing block.
Only 39p for King Size cigarettes. The vans with ESB and Astra Pumps branding.
I need to do more digging as to the two buildings at the Parnell Place end. It looks like QU_ _ _ HOTEL on the corner. We guessed DRYDOCK BAR but are unsure.
If you really want to see what passed for architectural merit in the 1980’s, streetview will oblige. Me – I’ve seen it more than enough already.
I remember in 1986 working for a summer in a building with a window looking onto the construction site and spending quite some time watching the works. I was particularly impressed with one of the two tower cranes on site – it was on railway-type tracks and was able to move up and down the quay to the appropriate location as required.
Merchants’ Quay was regularly on my route home. Prior to the DeValera and Collins Bridges, St Patrick’s Bridge was the first available bridge to the north. Many times I passed the Shopping Centre and I do not think that I ever liked it.
Previously I blogged about the streetscape photograph, predating the shopping centre, which hangs in Dan Lowry’s.
A few months back at the Special Irish Interest window sale held annually at the Irish Cancer Society shop, I managed to spot these images of Merchants’ Quay before the shopping centre when obviously some buildings were let to deteriorate in advance of the overall redevelopment – still happening today.
We have had the magnifying glass out and have managed to decipher some of the stores and branding including – Jack Corkery’s Pig & Whistle; The Universal; Mulcahy Hairdressers – there was a recollection of there being a barber there but the use of 'hairdresser 'explained the lack of blood and bandage pole.
I learned that a ‘Kelvinator’ was a brand of fridge.
Could you imagine a city centre premises for Floor Cloth & Brush Manufacturers?
St Vincent’s Hostel was an imposing block.
Only 39p for King Size cigarettes. The vans with ESB and Astra Pumps branding.
I need to do more digging as to the two buildings at the Parnell Place end. It looks like QU_ _ _ HOTEL on the corner. We guessed DRYDOCK BAR but are unsure.
If you really want to see what passed for architectural merit in the 1980’s, streetview will oblige. Me – I’ve seen it more than enough already.
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