Ice rink to open in former Cork city centre Dunnes Stores

Preparations have begun at the North Main Street Shopping Centre in Cork City, Ireland, ahead of a new ice rink opening in November. As reported by the Irish Examiner, the seasonal pop-up operated by ice rink company ONICE will take over the former Dunnes Stores unit inside the shopping centre. The initiative comes as a new owner of the building attempts to revitalise the local city centre. [1][3]

According to the Irish Examiner, ONICE founder Jason Williams stated that he hopes the move will bring a struggling part of the city to life. ONICE previously operated ice skating rinks at Cork's Marina Market for three years. Another ice rink operator, Cork on Ice, will take over the former ONICE location at the Marina Market. [1]

North Main Street forms part of a historic retail area in Cork City. Joined by bridge to South Main Street in the 12th century, the street formed the main thoroughfare within the original city walls of medieval Cork. In the 21st century, it is predominantly occupied by commercial and retail businesses, with some built on earlier medieval structures. [3]