Cork's main thoroughfare, Patrick Street, was officially reopened yesterday, following a two-year €13 million facelift, writes Olivia Kelleher.
The new design significantly reduces the space given to traffic with over half of the area from Merchant's Quay to Daunt Square being pedestrianised.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Seán Martin, said the redevelopment of Patrick Street gave "a European flavour to the city. That is a vision the city council has had for the last number of years. We wanted to create a city centre that is pedestrian friendly."
City manager Mr Joe Gavin said the redesign of Patrick Street by Catalan architect Ms Beth Gali reflected the pride and spirit of Cork.
Hundreds of people attended the reopening. Bishop John Buckley and Bishop Paul Colton performed a joint blessing of the street, following the unveiling of a plaque on Winthrop Street to mark the handing back of "Pana" to the people after months of building disruption.
Ms Gali is known for her imaginative design of public spaces and buildings in Barcelona. She said she was very satisfied with the way Patrick Street had turned out. It was one of her best creations, she said.
The dramatic new lighting system has provoked much comment. Locals who dislike the galvanised steel lamp standards complain that they look like lighting rigs. The lamps have a double function: they can light wide sections of the street or concentrated spots.
Cork City Council decided against the complete pedestrianisation of Patrick Street.
Traffic-flow studies indicated that it would create traffic problems elsewhere in the city centre.
However, city manager Mr Joe Gavin said the city council is open to pedestrianising the main thoroughfare for events and public festivals.
"The street's design lends itself to opening it up to people for parties or festivals, but due to the effects of such changes on traffic elsewhere in the city, we won't be making it a permanent feature of the street."