Lewis Glucksman Gallery

When Cork was named European Capital of Culture in 2005, people sat up and took notice. Was this a viable alternative to Dublin as somewhere to hold a meeting or incentive? The answer, on closer inspection, was a firm ‘yes’, says Ben Lerwill

There’s direct access from all corners of the UK, facilities are strong and the region boasts the warm character and landscapes that have traditionally made Ireland so appealing. Today the city remains an impressive option, with a dedicated convention bureau overseeing a range of venues and around 1,800 hotel rooms, many of them recently opened. Much
of the CVB’s marketing hinges on the fact that Cork offers a combined city, country and sea package, and the pull of the destination lies as much in its spirit and location as its business credentials.

Wow Factor
Name: Lewis Glucksman Gallery
Address: University College Cork, Cork
Tel: +353 21 490 1844
Email: info@glucksman.org
Web: www.glucksman.org

Named the Best Public Building in Ireland in 2005 and included in a recent ‘1001 Buildings To See Before You Die’ publication, the Lewis Glucksman Gallery is a stylised contemporary space in the lower grounds of University College Cork. Its art collection focuses on modern Irish works – there are more than 350 pieces on display – and the venue itself can be hired to accommodate groups of between 30 and 100. It currently offers a 100euros-per-delegate package for evening functions, which includes a wine reception, private viewing and dinner, as well as equipment for multimedia presentations. A restaurant overlooks the riverside grounds of the university. The venue sits a short walk from the city centre.

Quirky Venue
Name: Cork City Gaol
Address: Convent Avenue, Sunday’s Well, Cork
Tel: +353 21 430 5022
Email: corkgaol@indigo.ie
Web: www.corkcitygaol.com

Eerie function spaces are nothing new to the meetings industry, but this one’s slightly different: the spooky feel’s intentional. The City Gaol opened in the 1820s and dealt with a century’s worth of Corkonian misdemeanour, before closing in 1923 with no shortage of sobering tales to its name. It’s a heritage centre in its own right, offering full tours of its Gothic exterior and, inside, recreating inmate life with the aid of waxwork figures and original cell conditions. The building’s West Wing is today available for corporate hire. There’s reception space for 250 as well as options for meetings and gala dinners. With candle-lit tables laid out, it makes for an atmospheric venue.

New Kid On The Block
Name: Kingsley Hotel
Address: Victoria Cross, Cork
Tel: +353 21 4800 555
Email: Julie@kingsleyhotel.com
Web: www.kingsleyhotel.com

Given a major remodelling since Cork’s year in the European spotlight, the Kingsley Hotel is the city’s newest five-star property. It’s just been named Irish Business Hotel of the Year 2009 (the second such accolade it’s received), and there’s much to entice planners, not least an enviable location on the banks of the River Lee. It now offers 131 rooms and suites – all with free wifi – while meeting space comes in the form of eight conference rooms. The largest is the smart Ivernia Suite, able to accommodate up to 250 in a theatre-style set-up. Other perks include Otters Restaurant, which specialises in modern Irish cuisine, and a “fully customised” Ayurvedic spa. Private dining areas are available.

On A Shoestring
Name: The Gresham Metropole
Address: MacCurtain Street, Cork
Tel: +353 21 464 3700
Email: info@gresham-metropolehotel.com
Web: www.gresham-hotels.com

As elsewhere, there’s no shortage of hotels here looking to keep the credit crisis at bay with affordable rates. The Gresham Metropole is one such example, boasting a strong checklist of business facilities alongside some eye-catching client offers. It’s a central property, housing 112 rooms and 12 conference spaces, the biggest of which can accommodate up to 320 delegates at an advertised full-day rate of 635euros. The hotel is very much geared towards business groups, with a “meetings butler” service, full AV facilities and complimentary wifi throughout. Banqueting options are also offered, while the hotel’s Met Bar attracts a crowd in the evenings.

Wired Up
Name: Sheraton Fota Island Hotel & Spa
Address: Fota Island, Cork
Tel: +353 21 467 3000
Email: reservations.fota@sheraton.com
Web: www.starwoodhotels.com

Located a little way out of the city and boasting a classic rural setting as a result, Sheraton’s Fota Island Hotel is one for the corporate get-away. It ticks most of the right motivational boxes: there’s an 18-hole championship golf course, a good-sized spa, a gourmet restaurant and even a whiskey bar. In terms of other practicalities, there are 131 guest rooms and five meeting spaces – the Smith Barry Suite can handle conference set-ups of up to 300. The hotel provides extensive AV capabilities and videoconferencing equipment, as well as free wifi. The transfer time from Cork International Airport is around 20 minutes.

Small But Perfectly Formed
Name: Vertigo
Address: Cork County Hall, Carrigrohane Road, Cork
Tel: +353 21 485 6610
Email: corksales@mhm.ie
Web: www.countyhall.ie

The name might make it sound like the kind of funfair ride your kids would insist on dragging you onto, but the reality, thankfully, is a little more enjoyable. Vertigo occupies the 17th floor of Cork’s council offices, providing 360-degree panoramic views of the city and its surrounds at the same time. It’s ideal for a meeting or evening event that needs a little extra pep – the dimensions mean it can accommodate no more than 180 for a sit-down meal, but there’s good novelty in being this far up in an otherwise fairly low-lying cityscape. Downstairs, meanwhile, County Hall has an extensive range of other event space and meeting rooms for hire, including the 80-seat Council Chamber itself. Meanwhile, a multimillion-euro facelift means the County Hall’s main concourse area can cater for lavish banquets and events for up to 700 guests.

CORK INFO
How to get there: Aer Arann flies to Cork from Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Southampton (fares from £30 one-way, including taxes); Ryanair flies from Liverpool, Gatwick and Stansted; Aer Lingus flies from Birmingham, Heathrow and Manchester; Jet2 flies from Newcastle; and Air Southwest flies from Newquay and Plymouth.

Local transport: Cork’s compact city centre can be easily covered on foot, although a bus service serves the centre, the suburbs and the surrounding region. The main taxi rank is on St Patrick’s Street.

Key sights: St Finbarr’s Cathedral, The English Market, St Anne’s Church and Blarney Castle – the latter is 30 minutes out of town.

Contact: Cork Convention Bureau, Albert Quay House, Albert Quay, Cork, Ireland. Tel: +353 21 431 8036;
Email: info@corkconventionbureau.com

See: www.corkconventionbureau.com

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