Thomil's Random Ramblings

Cities change. That’s no great secret to anyone who has more than a hand full of working brain cells. With that change also comes the fact that buildings, shops, or other places you may have come accustomed to simply fade away, relocating, closing due to old age or other reasons, and that new businesses move in. This is normal, change and evolution are the two most fundamental driving forces in life. Resisting these forces is impossible over any extended period of time, and those that try will get crushed in the attempt sooner or later. That doesn‘t stop many from trying though. The latest threat to the "Irish way of life"? Here in Cork, a frequent target of this ire has been something seemingly innocent: cafés. Yes, you read that right, and no, I didn‘t sprinkle any LSD into your coffee! And no, we‘re not just talking about the big chains like Costa, Caffe Nero, or Starbucks here, but independent cafés as well. It seems that for some, the very concept of a coffee hou...

Sometime last year, I wrote an article on this blog about a series of redevelopments and building projects slated to take place in Cork over the next couple of years. Just about all these projects have been greenlit and are funded. One Albert Quay is quite literally racing towards completion, Paírc uí Chaoimh is currently being demolished, much like the Cork team during the last All-Ireland championships, and the long saga of the events centre selection has finally come to a conclusion, with the winners BAM/Heineken wondering how the hell to make something of the mess the bidding process left behind. Hell, the city even survived the recent opening of Starbucks at 39 Princes Street without being immolated by the flames of eternal damnation, as promised by some cafe owners. Only Irish Rail is taking a page from the Deutsche Bahn playbook and has delayed their new entrance and approach road to Kent Station again and again.  They're heeeere - And unlike some people claim, it's...

If you've followed the local news in Cork recently, you could be forgiven for thinking that the Vikings have picked up their old hobby of pillaging and plundering again, and that a fleet of them is currently sailing up the Lee to ransack the city, or more specifically the cafes and restaurants. The "independent" hospitality community is in an uproar, and it is more than vocal about this. The reason? Two large chains are planning to open branches in the city centre, Starbucks, and JD Wetherspoons. They are threatening the very identity of Cork, as well as the livelihood of all pubs and cafes in the city!!!!! Give. Me. A. Freaking. Break! Okay, let's take a deep breath and take this from the top again. Apart from a few Costa Coffee outlets, the city has mostly flown under the radar of the big players in the coffee business for most of the 2000s. Seattle based Starbucks Coffee Company had tried their luck with a coffee shop outside the arrivals area at Cork Airport, b...