All fall down: Demolition of iconic Cork grain silos starts

DEMOLITION works have begun on the landmark R&H Hall grain silos. This is the first step in the multi-million-euro redevelopment of Kennedy Quay in the city’s South Docks.

The O’Callaghan Properties project consists of one million sq ft of development to include residential, office space, a new rehabilitation hospital, and other uses.

Last month, the company announced that initial work on site — including the demolition of the R&H silos and the salvaging of sections of industrial heritage —would start shortly.

The R&H buildings will be replaced by a “new, sustainable landmark building that occupies the same footprint, making reference in its design to the industrial characteristics of the silos”, O’Callaghan Properties said.

It was not possible to safely repurpose the buildings.

There will be a six-month, “comprehensive archaeological recording and conservation process” with respect to the historic industrial machinery within the R&H Hall complex.