The Irish Times

Owen O'Callaghan's piece last Thursday's in Property must be welcomed. Whatever about its scathing tone, I'm glad that he didn't take his own advice to ignore what I wrote the previous week about the poor architectural quality of some recent schemes in Cork. We need more public debate in Ireland about architecture and urban design. And since property developers play such a significant role in commissioning new buildings, it is always good to get their views on the record - particularly as so few of them are prepared to speak out. Yes, the piece I wrote was negative, about Mahon Point and Merchants Quay shopping centres and the new development by O'Callaghan Properties on Lavitt's Quay, as well as other schemes, such as the recently completed office block on Lapp's Quay.