Five more will be added by the end of the year.

Cork’s first Age-Friendly benches are already proving popular with older city residents after wooden slats and backs and armrests were added to make them more comfortable.

The retrofitted seating is attached to the concrete and marble plinths in various locations including Grand Parade, Cornmarket Street, and St. Patrick’s Street.

The project was initiated following consultation with the Cork Age Friendly City Older Persons Representatives and involved the City Architect’s Department, who designed the seating, the Operations Directorate, Engineers Department and the Community Culture and Placemaking Directorate.

The locations and plans were reviewed by occupational therapist Linda Horgan and the seating was built by local fabricator Euroforce Engineering, with funding from the National Transport Authority.

“This project is a perfect example of the fact that if you design for older people you accommodate everyone,” said John Mullins, Age-Friendly Ambassador for Cork City.

“It is functional, attractive and inviting for older people to enjoy their visit to the city and more likely to encourage them to come into the heart of it.”