| I look at the dog water trough every time I pass – always with a smile. The smile may be internal but it is still there. I think it is a quirky aspect of the city, one that makes the city different from others. I would have thought it warranted inclusion in the list of protected structures (listed buildings, as regularly known), but it does not appear to be. I do not think it has been filled with water for many years but that does not diminish its attraction – to me anyway. I spotted that a planning application has been submitted for a new shopfront. However, the drawings for application 1636914 do not show the trough in the exisiting or proposed elevations. This could be interpreted in a number of different ways, depending upon your perspective. The innocent version would be that there is no intention to adjust the dog water trough and so no change is shown. The not-so-innocent version is that, should planning permission be granted, there is no dog trough shown so it is not to be retained. I hope that this possible interpretation is clarified and also that the sculpture is retained. I am on a bit of a hunt for Seamus Murphy work at the moment. In Midleton recently, I went looking for Seamus Murphy piercaps but they are no longer on the one remaining pier. I also think a headstone was also removed when replaced with a different stone. Seamus Murphy is so connected with Cork that it would be very sad day if the City Council, unintentionally or otherwise, allowed the removal of the water trough. I would also reduce the time I spend smiling – and some may say that that is very short already. |   |
