RTÉ Cork one step closer to a new home city home

RTÉ Cork has taken a step closer to a new home and is carrying out due diligence on a city-centre premises.

Last year, RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst said RTÉ Cork planned to move from its Fr Mathew St home to a new, central location by 2027, with an increase to its current staff of approximately 50.

The Fr Mathew St premises is three decades old and considered no longer fit for purpose.

In a letter to staff sent yesterday and seen by The Echo, Mr Bakhurst confirmed that RTÉ had “sourced a property on the ground floor of One Albert Quay in Cork city” and was in negotiations with the property owner.

Initial process to start shortly

“In parallel, and as part of the process to get this right, an initial process to develop an internal layout design will start shortly, which will involve discussion with staff and input from internal stakeholders to ensure the design is aligned with our overall strategy, as well as with local production requirements,” Mr Bakhurst said.

It is understood that the State broadcaster had previously looked at the One Albert Quay premises, as well as the Half Moon St offices that were once home to Apple.

Earlier this year, discussions between RTÉ and Cork City Council about the possibility of leasing part of the Counting House complex on South Main St broke down.

RTÉ has had a presence in Cork since 1927.

Its Fr Mathew St studios were opened in 1995 by then director general Joe Barry, and had been put briefly on the market in January 2024 before being withdrawn by the end of that year. At the time, the building was valued at around €2m.

In RTÉ’s five-year 2025-2029 strategy, the broadcaster committed to investing in a new, expanded production centre in Cork.

Mr Bakhurst’s letter did not set out a timeframe for the move.