Former name(s) George's Street Status Pedestrian priority Major cities Cork | Location Cork, Ireland Namesake Oliver Plunkett | |
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Major
junctions Grand Parade, Parnell Place Known for 'Great Street Award' 2016 | ||
The hi b 108 oliver plunkett street cork ireland
Oliver Plunkett Street (Irish: Sráid Olibhéir Pluincéid) is a key shopping street in Cork, Ireland. It was originally laid-out in the early 18th century as the city expanded eastwards beyond the original city walls. It was the only street in Ireland on a shortlist for the 'Great Street Award 2016' by London's Academy of Urbanism, It subsequently won the award - over nearly seventy other candidates from the UK and Ireland.
Contents
- The hi b 108 oliver plunkett street cork ireland
- Map of Oliver Plunkett St Centre Cork Ireland
- Oliver plunkett street cork city ireland
- History
- Location and use
- Pedestrianisation
- References
Map of Oliver Plunkett St, Centre, Cork, Ireland
Oliver plunkett street cork city ireland
History
At the start of the 18th century, Oliver Plunkett Street was the first street built east of the Grand Parade in the area then known as the East Marsh or Dunscombe Marsh. It was originally named George's Street after George I, the then reigning King of Great Britain and Ireland.
In 1920, during the Burning of Cork, large parts of the street were destroyed by British troops.
After the establishment of the Irish Free State, the street was renamed after Oliver Plunkett, a 17th-century martyr and Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh. The name change was gradual and as late as 1945, business directories still contained a reference to 'Late George's Street'.
Location and use
The street runs in a straight line from Custom House Street to Grand Parade.
Between Grand Parade and Parnell Place, the street is a shopping street. With the exception of the secondary entrance to the Penneys department store, most retailers on the street are small standalone retailers. However, there are a number of chain retailers that operate smaller stores too, such as Leonidas and Bewley's. This section of the street is also home to Cork's main Post Office. A small lane, known as Market Lane, provides access to the English Market.
It is also one of a number of nightlife centres in Cork - although there are more bars and restaurants on the neighbouring sidestreets than on Oliver Plunkett Street itself.
Between Parnell Place and Custom House Quay, the street is known as Lower Oliver Plunkett Street.
Pedestrianisation
A number of the side streets between Oliver Plunkett Street and St. Patrick's Street are fully pedestrianized. Along with neighbouring streets, the section of Oliver Plunkett Street between Parnell Place and Grand Parade is pedestrianized between 10:30am and 4:30pm every day. Automatic bollards are installed at the junction with Parnell Place and also at the junctions of Princes St and South Mall, Pembroke St and Phoenix St and Maylor St and St. Patrick's Street, to create a large pedestrianised area.