The winners were announced today.

Some of Cork’s coolest places to eat, drink, shop, and stay on Leeside have scooped Cork Better Buildings Awards for 2022.

This year’s finalists were an interesting mix between big businesses and small independent companies across the seven categories in the awards, organised by Cork Business Association in partnership with Cork City Council and held at a special ceremony at The Metropole Hotel, Cork

The winners for 2022 are:

• Best in Tourism, Arts & Accommodation: The Dean Hotel, Hogan’s Quay.
• Best Cafe/Restaurant: Kiely’s by the Blue Haven, Maylor St.
• Best Commercial Business: Darcy’s Hair Dressing, Paul St., Special Merit: Salvagem, MacCurtain St.
• Best in Heritage & Conservation: The Carriage Shed @HQ.
• Best Pub Front: Gallaghers, MacCurtain St.
• Best Retail Sheena’s Boutique, Oliver Plunkett St, Special Merit: Fitzgerald’s Menswear, St. Patrick’s St.
• Best New Development Winner: The Horgan’s Quay Redevelopment @HQ.
• Judges Choice The Victoria Hotel, St. Patrick’s St.
• Special Recognition Award: Developer John Cleary, for his contribution to the built landscape in Cork city and the greater Cork area.

“Cork City will double in size over the next 20 years and how we manage this growth will define what sort of city we will have for at least a century,” said Kevin Herlihy, President of Cork Business Association.

“We need a diversity of style, architecture, and buildings that will stand the test of time. And essential maintenance cannot be undermined – we need to protect and cherish what we already have.

“We are lucky to have Cork City Council engaging with architects and developers in taking the leap to allow buildings of scale, making Cork the city that everyone is talking about. And we have great caretakers in our business leaders to maintain the look and feel of the city.” Mr. Herlihy said.