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One of Cork’s most famous pubs was demolished last night as the city prepared to build one of the tallest residential buildings in Ireland.
The demolition of what used to be the Sextant has sparked a local debate about Cork’s heritage and what the future of the city looks like.
The Sextant opened in 1877, close to the West Cork railway line, and was first run as a hotel before becoming a pub in the early 1900s.
There have been a number of interior and exterior modifications over the years and the building retains little of its original internal historical character. The last drinks were served in February 2019.
Historian and city councilor Kieran McCarthy said people accept that the city needs to evolve.
“But many of the buildings with character are being demolished,” he said.
“This was one of several buildings that contributed to the character of the city. And as development moves toward the docks, we don’t want to see other buildings of character like him disappear.
“We need to have a broader conversation about the city’s docks, about conserving its architectural heritage and not just replacing it with glass boxes.”
Green Party Director Dan Boyle said he was saddened by the demolition of the building in an Architectural Conservation Area.
“It is an important urban landscape that will not be improved by replacing it,” he said. “It is too late for The Sextant, but I will fight to ensure that all structures listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) are automatically included in the Cork City Development Plan.”
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