Desmond's Square, off Barrack Street, Cork City.
Photograph of Desmond's Square, near Barrack Street, in Cork city circa 1900, showing typical working class housing conditions of the time. A group of women and children are shown standing in the square. Isn't the cat sitting majestically in the foreground very striking?
© Cork City LibrariesDesmond's Square, off Barrack Street, Cork City.
© Cork City Libraries
© Cork City Libraries
Desmond's Square, off Barrack Street, Cork City.
Photograph of Desmond's Square, near Barrack Street, in Cork city circa 1900, showing typical working class housing conditions of the time. A group of women and children are shown standing in the square. Isn't the cat sitting majestically in the foreground very striking?
© Cork City LibrariesIn the 20s
By the 1920s, Ireland had achieved a relatively peaceful political solution.
The first World War was over and the country was in a position to attempt to improve the life of it's poorest citizens.
The first step in Cork was for the Corporation to begin demolishing the slums and building modern council houses.
Desmond's Square 2006
A photograph of Desmond's Square in 2006 showing the council housing which replaced the slums
© Cork City LibrariesDesmond's Square 2006
© Cork City Libraries
© Cork City Libraries
Desmond's Square 2006
A photograph of Desmond's Square in 2006 showing the council housing which replaced the slums
© Cork City LibrariesThis began in the 20s and improvement in social housing remains a priority today.
Compare the two photographs on this page to get a sense of the changes which have taken place.
In the decades ahead there will be further changes to the cityscape of Cork, as apartments and modern housing become more popular.