‘This could be a home’.

It’s a piece of graffiti often scrawled across the doors of the city’s derelict buildings.

And this week, a host of experts are joining forces to share their insights and ideas about how we could reuse Cork’s many existing buildings and what exactly is involved if you want to take on such a project yourself.

Kieran McCarthy of RTE’s Cheap Irish Homes, Rosemarie Webb of Technological University Dublin, and author and former Irish Times Environment Editor, Frank McDonald, are just some of the speakers at Cork City Council’s upcoming vacancy event, which aims to give practical advice to owners of vacant and derelict properties.

so many #homeless, so many empty property in #Corkcity this home has a lot of character & potential #socialcrime #homeless @CorkHealthyCity @corkcitycouncil #pfg #programmeforgovernment #Cork pic.twitter.com/xgWjZhxPC3

— Frank O’Connor (@frank_oconnor) June 24, 2020

The session, happening in Saint Peter’s Church on North Main Street on Friday, May 24th from 10am to 1:30pm, is titled Urban Fabric: Addressing Dereliction & Vacancy and provides practical advice on everything from available grants to planning concerns to carbon footprint and SEAI options.

Cork City Council staff will give talks on issues that can affect a property’s return to use and the event will include talks directly aimed at homeowners as well as some wider industry advice for builders and developers.

Hundreds of properties are being investigated for dereliction

Cork City saw a major uptick in activity in dereliction last year, with the number of sites on the Derelict Sites Register being increased by 45 per cent.

As of March 2024, over 700 more properties are being investigated for dereliction, potential placement on the register or are on the city’s vacancy register. In addition, over 250 applicants have now applied for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant which allocates up to €50,000 for vacant homes, and up to €70,000 for derelict homes.

Over €12.5 million in grants is being progressed to bring these 250 long-term vacant and derelict properties back into use, with further applications invited while the grant remains available.

Cork City Council has been holding a series of informal public drop-in Vacancy & Dereliction sessions across the city, with Blackpool and Bishopstown complete, and future events upcoming in other electoral wards.

The larger scale event will also allow attendees to ask questions directly to City Council staff once the talks have concluded, and brochures will be available to take away on the day. You can register for a free ticket here.