Not so long ago these metal edifices defined the skyline in Cork and other Irish cities. They’re all gone in Cork now, but there’s still one left in Killarney, County Kerry. I hear tourists are taking photos of them now..

County Hall in Cork, as it was in 2005. Not so long ago it was flooded but it looks vaguely impressive when seen from certain viewpoints since the facelift it received in this photo. Shame it’s built on a flood plain.

Flash back to 2005 if you will. Ireland is in the grip of the Celtic Tiger boom. Cork is undergoing a transformation. The city’s streets were dug up and remolded with apparently improved drainage (didn’t help recently unfortunately) and the revamping of the city centre was in full swing. Here’s the construction on Daunt Square,…

It’s wonderful how some of the old buildings in Cork are preserved while all around them their neighbours are demolished and shiny new edifices rise. This one is of course on Emmett Place.

Emmett Place in Cork is the sight of feverish building work for the past year or two as a huge city block was torn down and then built up again. Here’s the view from the excellent Aroma Restaurant.

Construction work on the new block on Half Moon Street, Cork nears completion and reflects the brightly lit houses on the far side of the River Lee and the looming grey storm clouds. This shot’s for Richard who commented on a shot taken the other direction last week. PS. entries are still being accepted for…

H&M, one of the larger tenants in the new shopping center being built here on Academy Street.

Construction. Ireland is too dependent on it but that’s old news now, but unspeakable just a year (or two) ago. Anyway, it’s the end of the boom, construction work has flatlined. The End is Nigh (and booted out the backdoor while we weren’t looking). Shot in Youghal a few months back.

Dunnes Stores for Better Value The old Dunnes Stores on Patrick’s Street is now only a shadow of it’s former self. All that remains of the building is the front facade and a small portion of the side walls. Construction work on the Paul Street development has levelled most of the back buildings in a…

Berwick Fountain The Berwick Fountain was originally built in 1860 but was taken down and removed while construction went on in the Grand Parade, Cork. Here it is almost ready, although I’d swear they moved it a few feet .. Cross over the Grand Parade for the last time passing the Berwick Fountain (1860), which…

The Elysian Building Site A look through the closed gate at the construction site of the new Elysian tower block in Cork. It’s a far cry from what the building site looked like in 2005!

Construction in the old warehouse This is the ground floor of the old warehouse on Father Mathew Quay in Cork. For years it lay rotting away, an eyesore just behind the South Mall, but it’s being developed now. I guess there are apartments going in there, but I recall seeing only tiny windows on the…