The Irish Times

As an architectural statement, Cork County Hall is both loved and unloved. But whatever about its merits or demerits, it always evokes comment. It certainly cannot fail to be noticed, rising as it does 212 feet into the sky on the western approaches to the city. This week Cork Corporation will receive a planning application for a major refurbishment of the building and the erection alongside it of a new, six-storey edifice. When it opened in 1968 the final cost of the building was £613,315.06, or the equivalent of £7.2 million in today's money. The estimated cost of the present proposals is about £30 million. Even if there are no objections and work begins early next year, it will take 21/2 years before the new-look County Hall emerges, together with its planned sister.