Cork is uniquely positioned as a model city for urban evolution
The Cork Chamber Dublin Dinner, held this evening at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road in association with EY, showcased the vital collaboration between Cork and Dublin and its significance to the prosperity of Ireland as a whole. The event was attended by over 600 leaders from Ireland’s business, political, and diplomatic sectors.
The keynote address was delivered by the former Tánaiste, Simon Coveney TD, who is stepping away from politics after 25 years of public service. Drawing on his experience as a former MEP and Minster for Foreign Affairs, Mr Coveney shared his insights into the changing geo-political environment.
"As Ireland navigates an evolving geopolitical landscape, we face significant challenges and opportunities," said Mr Coveney. "From shifts in U.S. administration to economic and political pressures, these changes will test our resilience and demand forward-thinking strategies to safeguard Ireland’s interests and global standing.”
Bridging these perspectives, Cork Chamber President Rob Horgan expanded on the challenges facing Ireland's business community, particularly for smaller enterprises, and emphasised the importance of addressing these issues to sustain the broader economic ecosystem.
While acknowledging the thriving business community, and Cork’s ability to ‘out-perform in terms of economic output’, Mr Horgan said, “today’s climate for business is not without its challenges. In particular, for smaller organisations. We must ease the regulatory burden on this sector and provide the supports they need. A thriving SME sector is also the bedrock for our FDI companies which we place great value in.”
Building on the themes of adaptability and resilience building, Cork Chamber President Rob Horgan outlined a compelling vision for Cork’s future. Speaking on future rejuvenation and the need for a focus on our urban centres, Mr Horgan referenced Cork’s industrial docklands as presenting “a huge opportunity to bring new life to the city, with a mix modern living options and office spaces, giving rise to a whole new district. We cannot under-estimate the impact of infrastructure deficiencies in delivering on this ambition.”
“Cork is uniquely positioned to lead in urban evolution, as a model city forging a path for others to follow. Our next government needs to innovate on how we reinvigorate Ireland’s urban centres through the creation of what we call “Urban Evolution Deals” to leverage local strengths and to drive sustainable development. Urban evolution needs to be taken on at Ministerial level, if we are to make city centre living a reality.
“Urban evolution isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s about making cities work for the people who live in them. It’s about ensuring that Cork, and all of Ireland’s urban centres are vibrant, inclusive, and future-ready. Our next government needs to apply a people-centred approach to advance innovative strategies to future proof the city. We must take learnings from abroad where cultural infrastructure had a long-lasting uplift for a region.”
Speaking at the event, Frank O’Keeffe, EY Ireland Managing Partner, said, “It is an honour for EY to sponsor this prestigious event, celebrating the thriving connection between Cork and Dublin and the vital role these cities play in driving Ireland’s economic success. At EY, we are committed to helping businesses adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape, empowering them to embrace sustainability, digital transformation, and innovative talent strategies among other key areas.
Looking to future opportunities Mr Horgan said, “Ireland has the potential to be a global leader in renewable energy, and Cork is at the heart of this opportunity. But to make this vision a reality, we need the right infrastructure and policy support. […] . We are not just responding to the needs of today but anticipating the aspirations of tomorrow. We are designing not only for ourselves but for generations yet to come. As we look around at the incredible changes taking root across our city and region, let’s be proud of our journey but let’s also understand that this is just the beginning. Cork’s potential is boundless, its story still unfolding, and each of us is a co-author.”
