Save Cork City protecting the city of Cork

Cork is a significant maritime and trading city of rare landscapes of 18^th and 19^th Century architecture. It is worth protecting. The rarity of Cork is a great advantage that can support our economic success. Historic cities can attract investment and talented people. They support the wellbeing and identity of their citizens and they maintain the value of existing investments while supporting expansion. Historic Cork is now largely underappreciated and derelict. Intervention threatens to cause more damage than good. It’s time for change.

Proposals for Flood Walls with over 15 kms of flood defence walls, walls with gaps, demountable structures, embankments, deep excavations and pump chambers. It has been described by academics as an experiment likely to fail and creates a dangerous precedent of higher flood water in the city effecting thousands of properties.

Save Cork City promote economical solutions to protect Cork including a Tidal Barrier which would keep Cork open for business. We need your support to raise funding for saving Cork. Please donate using the "Donate" button above. Message your Councillor, TD and MP by using the “Have Your Say” link below.

Have Your Say

Our Campaign

Save Cork City wish to protect and repair historic Cork for the benefit of the local economy and the well being of all.

Supporters

Our Love The Lee Campaign wishes to give wider appreciation to the river Lee and the built landscape of quays and landscapes in the City of Cork.

Our Proposals

Our proposal is to control flooding using a downstream tidal barrier supported by the repair of the historic quay walls and a combination of upstream measures.

What You Can Do

There are several ways you can help us to promote and maintain our campaign.

History Of Cork

Cork is an ancient city, settled by the Vikings that grew from maritime trade with Northern Europe and Britain in the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th Century.

Good Design in Historic Places

Good Design is timeless. It takes consideration of all that might influence a design decision to result in a refinement and humility that is recognisable by all.

Downloads

Design Competition

‘A city’s conserved historic core can differentiate that city from competing locations, branding it nationally and internationally, thus helping the city to attract investment and talented people.’
‘Heritage anchors people to their roots, builds self-esteem and restores dignity.’

from The Economics of Uniqueness - by the World Bank

“The Save Cork City Solution document ‘Potential Cork’ provides a detailed framework for a viable and sustainable solution to flood relief in Cork. It represents a truly considerate opportunity for the city."

Dutch (National) Flood Protection Programme
(Programmadirectie Hoogwaterbescherming)

Erik Kraaij - Flood Protection Deputy Director

“installing cut-off walls and a groundwater dewatering system at Cork is an experiment in separating two interdependent surface water and groundwater systems, which is likely to fail"
Ground and Groundwater Conditions at Cork
Implications for the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme

Anthony Beese BSc PhD PGeo CompIEI

With a view to giving rivers more space, they should consider where possible the maintenance and/or restoration of floodplains, as well as measures to prevent and reduce damage to human health, the environment, cultural heritage and economic activity.

The EU Floods Directive 2007

Best Practice in Flood Relief

An assessment of the potential adverse consequences of future floods for human health, the environment, cultural heritage and economic activity.......including floodplains as natural retention areas, the effectiveness of existing man-made flood defence infrastructures (our Dams), the position of populated areas (our City), areas of economic activity (our City) and long-term developments including impacts of climate change on the occurrence of floods.

The EU Floods Directive 2007

Best Practice in Flood Relief

The OPW Walls scheme "could potentially damage the ability of the city to realise its obvious riverside potential and negatively impact on the attractiveness of the city as a location for inward investment and tourisn."

Cork Chamber of Commerce, Irish Examiner, 2014

"The beauty of the Quays is one of Cork's assets which should be jealously guarded"

Cork Town Planning Association & Cork Chamber of Commerce, 1925