Cork City Council has granted conditional planning permission to Sick and Sore Ltd to develop Ireland's first floating hotel on the city's northern quays.
The Irish Examiner reports that the grant of planning is for a period of three years, after which the company will have to reapply for retention. Planners stated that at that point, they want to be able to reassess the development's impact on both local amenities and future development plans for the area.
The decision allows for the berthing of a 105 metre, three-deck river cruiser with 96 cabins and accommodation for 156 people at Penrose Quay, next to the Michael Collins Bridge.
Sick and Sore Ltd director Sam Corbett, commented: "I would hope that over the coming years, we will see more floating attractions on the river Lee. It's not just about floating hotels, bars and restaurants. We have converted a 1916-built barge into an escape room experience based in Dublin's Grand Canal dock and, alongside us, we have a floating Thai massage business and a barge cruise business. The same could be done in Cork, the river has great potential."
Corbett hopes to relocate the refurbished barge to Cork before Christmas.
