TV: Breathing new life into historic Cork buildings

There are more than 166,000 vacant buildings in Ireland, and not all of them are suitable to be transformed into housing.

Many derelict structures are just waiting for some TLC to be lavished on them to be repurposed into something that benefits the local community.

A new six-part series called Buildings Beo which starts on TG4 at 8.30pm on Wednesday gives us a glimpse of some of these inspiring projects.

The series, presented by Carrie Crowley is not only about the renovation of heritage buildings, but about the people and the communities who bring them back to life.

Of the six projects highlighted, two are in Cork.

The first, which can be seen on December 10, looks at the transformation of The Old Mill building in Kinsale. into a vibrant community space and library.

This historic building presents significant challenges for the team, as Carrie discovers when she explores the design process and learns about its protected status and its location in an architectural protection zone.

She’ll see first-hand the meticulous efforts to preserve historical significance and learn as the new library takes shape, how it promises to be more than just a repository of books, but also a much-needed community space, bridging past and present in the town.

The final episode of Buildings Beo, airing on Christmas Eve, heads to Macroom to see the work done to transform The Briery Gap Theatre and Cultural Centre in Main Street.

Carrie visits the bustling market town where the iconic Briery Gap, a beloved theatre and cultural hub left derelict since a devastating fire, takes centre stage.

From cherished Christmas pantomimes to the lasting legacy of the local drama group, Carrie uncovers the void left by the building and the eagerness to see it restored to its former glory.

As the team overcomes the challenges of breathing new life into an old theatre, Carrie watches as the curtain finally comes up on a revitalised Briery Gap, a vibrant cultural centrepiece right in the heart of the town.

The first episode of the series on Wednesday sees the work done at Hope Castle Gate Lodge in Castleblayney, Monaghan.

It takes its name from Blayney Castle, once the focal point of the area. Renamed ‘Hope Castle’ in the 1850s, the castle’s gate lodge fell into disrepair with the passage of time.

Carrie sees locals come together to reimagine the space. The forgotten lodge, situated off the historic market square.and by the picturesque public park surrounding Loch Muckno, is reimagined as a state-of-the-art library