Nano Nagle Place is a triumph for sisters

THE opening of Nano Nagle Place as a multi-million euro public and private space is 'a triumph' for the Presentation Sisters and an embarrassment for those behind the planned event centre, a city councillor has said.

The first visitors walked in the doors of the €12m project on Abbey St/Douglas Street last week, which has given Cork its newest and one its most important visitor attractions.

City Councillor Mick Finn said: "No public money has been put into this and huge credit must go to the worldwide Presentation Order - founded by Nano Nagle at this very location - for financing this and bringing it from the design table to fruition."

"The nuns have shown developers of other major projects in the city how it's done."

The new-look Nano Nagle Place includes a heritage centre, archive and ultimately cafe/archive.

"City Council now needs to come on board, step up to the plate and vastly improve the very tired public realm in the area which is, after all, one of its core functions," Mr Finn said. 

He added that other big developers could learn from the successful delivery of Nano Nagle Place.

"We have yet more delays with the event centre as its developers - who once said they were capable of delivering the long-sought facility for Cork - stalling again and looking for more public money. 

"Our patience has run out and the Cork public just wants to know at this point if this will happen or if it's another false dawn."

City Council is saying one is thing, the Arts Minister saying another. Can we get the truth of the situation please and establish whether or not it will get the necessary public funding to get off the ground. Political reputations have been staked on this."