Cork not about old or young; city's past and future go hand-in-hand

Cork not about old or young; city's past and future go hand-in-hand
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Shades of Green — By Katharine Rose Gergosian, Special to WoRD

Cork, Ireland, is a mixture of generations. Everywhere you turn, there is a merging of old and new that blend together in unexpected combinations.


Take for example, my apartment building. It is fairly new, with a glass circular front that encloses a contemporary winding staircase. Each apartment has all the modern amenities one would need to be comfortable.

When I look out my porch doors, my view is considerably different. I see a narrow alley, made up of older buildings with tin roofs and an intricate, aged stone wall edged with ivy. Upon peering closer, I can see a wooden sign tacked to rickety barn doors advertising a furniture-maker by the name of William M. O'Sullivan.

Generational differences are more apparent when I walk to University College Cork. I travel through many different parts of the city as I make the almost two-mile trek. The sidewalks I step upon have obviously been patched many times. What once began as dirt or rock slabs along the road is now a patchwork of brick, asphalt, concrete and stone.

My walk leads me along the River Lee. On its banks are an assortment of establishments, including the historic Beamish Brewery and a handful of upscale hotels. On one stretch of my route, I pass two Internet cafes, a tattoo parlor, a natural foods outlet, and a store specializing in printers and ink cartridges. Just across the street is Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral, a famous landmark in Cork that dates back to the seventh century and was part of the Gothic Revival in 1862.

Upon arriving at the campus, I am again reminded of this mixture of historical and modern influences. The Tudor Gothic quadrangle, originally the extent of the college in 1845, is now part of a large campus that includes a modern student center with its outer wall of glass, the Boole library and the older, yet expansive science and medical buildings.

The Irish value what was originally the backbone of the city, and display these elements with pride, even as they add new dimensions and architecture. As a result, Cork has remained a place rich in tradition as well as economic growth. There is a respect for the past and a reverence for the future. This eclectic vision offers a depth and continuity that spills over to the natives in their thoughts and lifestyles.

Cork is considered a "young city," according to the latest census report revealing a high percentage of 15- to 29-year-olds. The report also suggests there are a large number of people in the age range of 55 to 85.

Consequently, it is commonplace to see a group of seniors frequenting the same local pub as college students.

I have found this blending to be both aesthetically pleasing and wonderful to take part in. It is somehow refreshing and comforting all at the same time, for it is neither forced nor contrived. It is simply the way it is, and has been for far too many generations to count.

I cannot help but wonder how our cities and towns might look, if we in America had the same regard for history and our elders. How would it be if instead of tearing down and building new, we gave equal merit to preservation as we forged ahead to the future? Perhaps our need to have everything perfectly matched in the same architectural style is adversely affecting our thinking and how we treat each other.

Katharine Rose Gergosian is a 2005 graduate of Mt. Ararat High School and a junior at the University of Maine at Farmington studying secondary English education. She recently spent a semester abroad in Ireland at the University College Cork. As the recipient of the George J. Mitchell Peace Scholarship she is devoted to sharing her experiences with others and bringing cultural awareness to those on both sides of the ocean. She can be reached at katharine.gergosian@gmail.com.