Corks historical centre needs to be revived but then maintained all year round

Cork city is a very old city with some medieval structures and ancient buildings still standing.  But if you walk around it you wouldn't know that. We urgently need some joined up thinking from the Council with the help of the multitude of great Historians in the city.   Let's start our walk on South Main Street where the Vikings lived, through Paradise Place where some Gaels lived, through to Dungarvan Island (end North Main Street) where the Normans lived.   This is the ancient backbone of the city but there is nothing , absolutely nothing there to give a Tourist or local that sense of place and amazing history.  A UCC archaeologist had a great idea to rename this the "Medieval Quarter".   He also wished to add Shandon Street (Norman stronghold)  ( and Barrack Street at the other end) with the Barracks but before them the Gaelic chieftains and St. Finbarr etc).

As a start ,I propose a Viking/ Norman / Gael museum on North Main Street or South Main Street which would be a major tourist attraction while uncovering all this hidden history of Cork. It would also bring in jobs and money and focus and promote the cities hidden history. 

How to create the Medieval Quarter?  This is how I imagine it  :

So starting at the top of the Medieval Quarter we have the Butter Market ( the biggest in the World for 150 years).  The building needs to be opened up for indoor markets , crafts , artists or even an interactive extension to the current butter museum which is a lovely visit but really needs updating. the outside of the Butter Market needs to be cleaned , maintained throughout the year.    Why is it empty ?

St. Annes Shandon is an amazing attraction and need a complete upgrade and a total outside clean. Joined up thinking between the attractions is necessary ( Cork City Gaol another one) . Maintenance and cleaning also should be done together year round by one Team.

Special Medieval quarter signs should be created for each place. Standout ornate signs - not cheap signs.

Cross the bridge to North Main Street but before you walk down , have a look behind Supermacs across from the cinema.  There is an amazing large ornate gate in there with the date 1759 that should be relocated to North Main Street. A huge statement to make in 2021 about Corks amazing history.

Walking down to North Main Street we have the entrance to the Irish Market ( St. Peter's). Its plaque is currently unreadable due to the gaudy Mr.Price signs bolted into the building. We need strict laws to govern signage like other European cities.  Again a Medieval quarter sign should be outside detailing what this building was for and gaudy signs banned.

Walking down North Main street there are a few tiny plaques for Terence McSwiney etc. These need to be bigger and more visible for tourists.  The landlords of these buildings should be forced to upkeep the outsides of them.  If you look up you see many examples of beautiful architecture falling to pieces.  Inside St Francis church car park is a plaque showing it was the site of the first food market in the city ( this can be seen on all ancient maps). This needs to be another Medieval quarter sign.

Walking down a bit we come to the back of the old Bazaar market ( now Loft superstore), the architecture is filthy with bushes growing out of it.  Walking up Castle Street and turning left we come to the CornStore restaraunt which thankfully upkeeps its frontage and old stone work.  But beside it is the entrance to the old Bazaar clothes Market.   Its filthy, the clock is broken, covered in mould and the plaques are unreadable. Amazing buildings like this, left in this state, sends a message to locals and tourists and it's not "Wearecork". It's "Wehave noprideincork".   

Walk down to South Main Street - absolutely nothing there to commemorate the Viking pasts. Christchurch should have a " Medieval Quarter" sign outside.   Go into Lucey Park. A pathetic little plaque covered in slime tells us the medieval wall was there.   A medieval wall is a big deal , again we need to upgrade how we present this to people , can we uncover more of the medieval wall.? In Rome they cover medieval walls in thick glass which looks good and would avoid the filth that is in Lucey Park thrown in on top of the wall. The Lucey Park gates from the old Corn Market need to be cleaned and readable plaques put on them.

A plan needs to be formed with regards to Old streetname signs around the city ( inclusive of Blackpool etc). These wonderful old streetsigns needs to be cleaned , maintained and painted all year round to show pride in the city. Currently some are in horrific states.

Lastly Cork has always had a lot of Irish language on business names , shop names etc.  The Council should provide a grant to have these in old Irish font across the city centre. Would look beautiful and also maybe help disencourage the horrible gaudy plastic signs we now see everywhere all over the city.