RTÉ Cork has moved closer to securing a new city-centre home at One Albert Quay, with the state broadcaster currently conducting due diligence on the ground-floor premises following a search for a replacement for its obsolete Fr Mathew Street facility. RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst confirmed the negotiations in a letter to staff, marking a major step in the broadcaster’s strategy to relocate its roughly 50 Cork-based employees by 2027.
RTÉ Targets One Albert Quay for New Cork Studio Space
State broadcaster RTÉ has set its sights on the ground floor of One Albert Quay in Cork City for its operational relocation. In a letter sent to staff, Director General Kevin Bakhurst confirmed that the broadcaster has sourced the property and entered active negotiations with the building’s owner. The move aims to replace the existing Fr Mathew Street facility, which has housed RTÉ’s Cork operations for more than 30 years and is now regarded as obsolete.
Under the current timeline outlined in RTÉ’s five-year strategy for 2025-2029, the broadcaster committed to investing in a new, expanded production centre in Cork. The planned transition will support the current workforce of about 50 staff members while expanding local production capabilities. Bakhurst indicated that an initial process to develop an internal layout design will start shortly. This phase will involve direct discussions with staff and input from internal stakeholders to align the new studio design with corporate strategy and local production requirements.
Previous Locations and Long History in Cork
The search for a modern city-centre hub has involved multiple sites across Cork over recent years. RTÉ previously evaluated the One Albert Quay premises, alongside a look at the former Apple offices located on Half Moon Street. Discussions also took place regarding the upper portion of the Counting House complex on South Main Street, though those talks broke down earlier this year between the broadcaster and Cork City Council.
RTÉ has maintained a presence in Cork since 1927. The current Fr Mathew Street studios officially opened in 1995 and were briefly placed on the market in 2024, at which time the building held an estimated market value of around €2m. Leadership previously signaled a target relocation window aiming for a move by 2027, though Bakhurst’s recent correspondence did not specify a finalized move-in date.
Operational Timeline and Next Steps for Staff
- Site Evaluation: RTÉ is actively carrying out due diligence on the ground-floor premises at One Albert Quay.
- Internal Design Phase: Staff consultations and stakeholder workshops will soon begin to establish an interior layout suited to production demands.
- Strategic Goal: The project forms a part of RTÉ’s 2025-2029 strategic commitment to modernize regional infrastructure.
- Workforce Impact: The new office will accommodate the existing staff of approximately 50 employees while accommodating future expansion.
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