TD slams Cork's ‘bridge to nowhere’ in wait for events centre

The Government has been criticised for building a “bridge to nowhere” as today marks the 10th anniversary of the turning of the sod on Cork’s long-awaited event centre.

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice said the Government’s failure to deliver on the event centre indicates its attitude to the city.

As taoiseach, Enda Kenny turned the sod on February 12, 2016, during the general election campaign.

Mr Rice said the sod-turning was a “nice photo op but nothing more”.

“At the time, the press release from the developer BAM said that a 6,000-capacity multi-purpose venue would be built within two years,” Mr Rice said.

“A decade on, the only thing the people of Cork have been left with is a large derelict site in the city centre. It is nothing more than an eyesore with a new ‘bridge to nowhere’.”

He said the latest information outlines that €2.2m has been spent on the project, without any bricks being laid.

“This must surely now be one of the most expensive vacant sites — and one of the biggest white elephants — in the city,” he said.

Mr Rice said he planned to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the sod-turning today, with a plaque set to be unveiled, outlining how the centre is yet to be completed.

“An event centre in Cork has the potential to attract big gigs and shows that are currently skipping Cork,” Mr Rice said.

“It also gives Cork the potential to host big conferences, trade shows, and other large-scale community events. All of this will have a positive knock-on effect on the local economy, with more people staying in our hotels, eating in our restaurants, and drinking in our pubs.”

The Government ordered the project be retendered in late 2024 before it provided any more State funding. When the project was first approved, €20m public funding was provided to develop the former Beamish and Crawford site on South Main St. In the interim, this increased to €57m. It is believed there is a requirement for €30m to €40m of State funding.

In December, the preliminary business case for the event centre was submitted to the Department of Housing. The final site for the event centre is yet to be decided, with rival options having been proposed, including at a site on the South Docklands. The event centre is due to have a capacity of 6,000, with its final cost expected to be around €150m.