Rob Cross

Digital specialist, architectural designer, best-selling author, artist, and AI & BIM/GIS expert | [email protected]

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

My https://t.co/cNa2j1S4hq website has just gone live.🏚️⚡️🎉

I've created a data-led project focused on vacancy and dereliction in Ireland as part of the wider housing and town-centre crisis.

This regeneration project examines the scale and impact of derelict and long-term vacant properties. The public-facing landing page at https://t.co/cNa2j1S4hq reviews derelict sites currently on the register across five local authorities—Cork County Council, Cork City Council, Dublin City Council, Limerick City & County Council, and Mayo County Council. I've built a digital database to increase transparency and visually identify dereliction hotspots across each county. This map-based public register tracks locations, enforcement steps, and estimated values. It includes photos of derelict sites and Google Street View links to make the records easier to understand. I've also included useful links and available grants explaining the Derelict Sites Process Workflow.

This is a public-facing landing page for draft demonstrations built by me. It provides an overview and links to each register and supporting information. This is a demonstration platform and portfolio project that shows how statutory register data can be structured for public transparency and internal decision support.

This website is a regeneration-focused initiative documenting and analysing derelict and long-term vacant property in Ireland. Built as a structured, evidence-led platform, it converts fragmented statutory registers into a clear, map-based resource revealing the scale, geography, and real-world impacts of vacancy, underuse, and town centre decline.

The project does more than highlight dereliction as a problem. By combining clean, structured data, mapping, and accessible communication, it helps local authorities, practitioners, and the public understand where dereliction is concentrated, what stage cases are at, and what opportunities exist for regeneration.

Through developing this platform, I am building practical expertise in vacancy classification, data cleaning and standardisation (including address and Eircode quality), mapping and visualisation, and stakeholder-focused reporting. My goal is to contribute to a local authority or housing regeneration teams working on Town Centre First delivery, vacant homes activation, and sustainable reuse strategies—bringing a strong digital and data-led approach to real-world implementation.

🔮 Future plans:

Expand coverage: Add more local authority registers while maintaining a consistent structure and terminology. Include vacant sites in the register database.
Improve data quality: Standardise addresses, add Eircodes where missing, and document a repeatable QA workflow.
Richer enforcement timelines: Track key statutory stages and dates more consistently, so progress and delays are visible.
Better analytics: Add district and town breakdowns, CPO numbers, trend views such as dereliction clusters, and "time on register" metrics to highlight long-standing cases.
Case studies: Include short, evidence-based examples of successful reuse (before/after, costs, barriers, outcomes).
Decision-support outputs: Create exportable reports and summaries that support internal briefings and member queries.

For collaboration, feedback, or demonstration requests, please get in touch.

Regards

Rob Cross

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

Since Microsoft Teams is currently down, it's always good to have a backup plan. Did you know you can hold our meetings on WhatsApp Desktop until it’s back?

Please do this before our next meeting:

1. Download WhatsApp Desktop: https://t.co/og0CJEbNON

2. Link it to your phone (Settings → Linked Devices → Link a Device, then scan the QR code).

3. Join the meeting group I’ll add you to.

At meeting time, you can start a group video call from the group. If you need to present, use the screen share button during the call.

#Microsoft #outlookdown #Microsoft365 #MicrosoftOutage

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

Once our architectural heritage is gone, it's gone forever!
It's disheartening to see the charming street lamps from Foster Place in the historic core of Dublin City being removed, and the area being converted into a car park/taxi rank. We can only hope that the Dublin City Council will address these issues in the proposed College Green Plaza development.

My graphic illustrates the loss of some of our architectural heritage over the years. To the left in the background was the Green Branch Post Office, mentioned in Episode 9 of James Joyce's Ulysses. Regrettably, Ulster Bank demolished the building in 1975 after the post office relocated to Andrew Street.

The equestrian statue of William III, also known as King Billy or William of Orange, on College Green. The statue stood there from 1701 until 1929 when it was blown up by the I.R.A. on November 11, 1928, the 10th anniversary of Armistice Day.

On the right was the Liverpool, London & Globe Insurance Company's College Green, constructed in 1867. It was once the site of Daly's Club. However, it was torn down in the 1960s to make way for a new office block, which is now occupied by Starbucks.
#TheColourOfIreland #Dublin #Ireland #History #Ulysses

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

Here is one of the Cons worth highlighting:

Councils may have little incentive to compile registers.

They do the inspections, register-building, reviews, and appeals, but the revenue may not return to them. Without ring-fencing or a performance-linked share, the weak enforcement could move from collection to register-building. If a council under-lists properties, Revenue has nothing to collect.

For more information on Ireland’s new Derelict Property Tax, where I've highlighted some of the various pros and cons of this new dereliction tax system, refer to section F, Derelict Property Tax (DPT), in the link below
https://t.co/iubdkiwz8c

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

Tipperary beat Wexford that year in the 1962 All-Ireland final.

All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship finals - Interactive App
https://t.co/6n5qmrdXrQ
#Ireland #GAA

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

Tipperary beat Wexford that year in the 1962 All-Ireland final.

All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship finals - Interactive App
https://t.co/6n5qmrdXrQ
#Ireland #GAA

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

Bringing Ireland's History to Life. 🇮🇪🏆
Waterford's goalkeeper Edmond "Ned" Power saves despite the close attention of Christy Ring in the 1962 Munster Semi-Final which was Ringey last ever Championship appearance for Cork.
#Cork 1-16 : 4-10 #Waterford
#Ireland #GAA #Eire #Sport

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

Here is one of the Cons worth highlighting:

Councils may have little incentive to compile registers.

They do the inspections, register-building, reviews, and appeals, but the revenue may not return to them. Without ring-fencing or a performance-linked share, the weak enforcement could move from collection to register-building. If a council under-lists properties, Revenue has nothing to collect.

For more information on Ireland’s new Derelict Property Tax, where I've highlighted some of the various pros and cons of this new dereliction tax system, refer to section F, Derelict Property Tax (DPT), in the link below
https://t.co/iubdkiwz8c

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

Ireland’s new Derelict Property Tax excludes towns with populations under 2,000. Year 1 covers 107 areas with populations of 4,000 or more, and Year 2 adds 64 areas with populations of 2,000 or more, leaving smaller towns and villages outside the rollout. Dereliction is often a serious problem in rural Ireland, and these areas are least able to fund regeneration through other means.

To assist the public, I’ve created an interactive map of the 867 towns and urban areas identified in Census 2022, showing which fall within the announced rollout: 107 areas with populations of 4,000 or more in Year 1, 64 more with populations of 2,000 or more in Year 2, and 696 below the thresholds.

Derelict Property Tax — Rollout Map (App):
https://t.co/cY7Xldupnc

For more information on Ireland’s new Derelict Property Tax, where I've highlighted some of the various pros and cons of this new dereliction tax system, refer to section F, Derelict Property Tax (DPT), in the link below
https://t.co/iubdkiwz8c

#Ireland #DerelictIreland #HousingCrisis

[Eddie McGuinness @eddiemcguinness]

@WestOnTrackIRL this gives us an additional insights into what if we had more rail @IrishRail @TFIupdates @greenparty_ie @labour

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

Nearly 50 presidents and prime ministers will meet in the Convention Centre for the European Political Community summit this week, and here's a visual I've created of the Dublin City Centre traffic cordons for 10- 13 November. 🇪🇺🇮🇪🛑🚦🚗

For further information and to view the interactive Traffic Cordon Map, visit:
https://t.co/fh27QdLpJy
#Dublin #Ireland

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

Imagine if we still had rail services to Clifden and Ballinrobe, and even a tram line out to Salthill. Would we need the Galway ring road at all?🚂🤔

Ireland’s Railway Past, Present and Future - Interactive Map:
https://t.co/Adfl33V0Xz

#Galway #Ireland #TheColourOfIreland #History #IrishHistory #IrishCulture #railroad #rail #railway #railways_worldwide #railways #trainspotting #trains #ClimateCrisis

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

@eddiemcguinness Thanks, Eddie

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

It is a shame to see the heritage buildings at 62–65 North Main Street in Cork City being demolished after years of neglect by their owners. They have been part of Cork’s built heritage since the 1820s. Allowing properties, especially those of architectural heritage, to remain derelict or vacant for decades should be considered a crime against the state. Ireland's housing system is in disrepair, primarily due to ineffective government policies.
In my visualisation, red blocks represent some of the Derelict and Vacant Sites in Cork City.
#HousingCrisis #DerelictIreland #VacantIreland #Cork #Ireland #HeritageAtRisk

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

Worth checking out @fallon_donal fantastic history blog, Come Here To Me, that features Mahon Printworks.
https://t.co/25S31RzaEP

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

Once our heritage is gone, it is gone forever. 🇮🇪🖨️

The Ardiff Mahon Printers, an early-20th-century former printing works off Dorset Street on the corner of Yarnhall Street and Henrietta Place in Dublin 1, is currently vacant and derelict. Mahon’s Yarnhall Street press was used for republican printing, including Irish Freedom and An t-Óglach.

My graphic shows the decline of this beautiful Tara Post Office at Ross Crossroads, Ross, County Meath: a whitewashed rendered building with a thatched roof, built in 1820. The decline followed the local authority’s failure to serve the owner/occupier with a notice specifying the work needed to prevent the structure from becoming endangered.

In my visualisation, the red blocks represent some of Dublin City's Derelict and Vacant Sites in Dublin City.

Below is a webpage I built to highlight dereliction in Ireland, propose solutions, and showcase heritage buildings and structures at risk. The page includes quick facts, a summary, history and ownership, a dated photographic decline log, planning/enforcement history, vacancy/dereliction signals, reuse potential, recommended next actions, open questions, and sources.

8664 - 2–3 Yarnhall Street/Henrietta Place, Dublin 01 Ardiff Mahon Printworks
https://t.co/MypMrjkPbl

Reporting a Protected Structure at Risk — How to Write to Your Local Authority
https://t.co/7nIKWDf5jm

#Dublin #Ireland #DerelictIreland #History #Heritage #HeritageAtRisk #BuiltHeritage #HeritageConservation

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

100 years serving Derry and Donegal🚂

The Derry/Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway Company (L&LSR, the Swilly) was an Irish public transport and freight company that operated in parts of Derry and Donegal from 1853 to 1953.

The last train on the line ran from Letterkenny to Derry at 2.15 pm on 8 August 1953. It carried 14 wagons of cattle and arrived 50 minutes late. Bob Turner drove, with Paddy Clifford as fireman. The Derry Journal reported at the time: “... the guard, Mr Daniel McFeeley, or anyone else, did not call out ‘Next Stop Derry’. Everyone knew that the next stop would be the last stop—the last ever.”

Of interest, the 1925 Owencarrow Viaduct Disaster: winds of up to 120 mph derailed carriages from the viaduct. The roof of a carriage was ripped off, throwing four people to their deaths.

Btw, I've created this app to help people explore Ireland’s railways across time—from historic lines and stations to today’s network and proposed future projects.

https://t.co/ynWKXmhb3c

#TheColourOfIreland #Derry #Donegal #Ireland #History #IrishHistory #IrishCulture #railroad #rail #railway #railways_worldwide #railways #trainspotting #trains

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

Demolition by neglect costs us all.😡🏚️
It is a great waste to see the heritage buildings at 62-65 North Main Street, Cork, being demolished after years of neglect by their owners. Dating back as far as the 1760s, they were part of Cork’s built heritage for more than two centuries. Leaving them derelict has cost the public dearly in lost income tax, VAT and local economic activity, and the cost of demolition and rebuilding will add to that. Allowing architecturally significant properties to sit vacant for decades should be treated as a serious offence against the public interest. Ireland’s housing system is in disrepair, and ineffective government policy is a major reason why.

In my visualisation, red blocks represent some of the Derelict and Vacant Sites in Cork City.

#HousingCrisis #DerelictIreland #VacantIreland #Cork #Ireland #HeritageAtRisk

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

It is disappointing to see these remaining ground-floor commercial units on Dominick Street Lower in Dublin City lying vacant for four years amid a housing crisis, since the Dublin City Council social housing Regeneration Project, often referred to as the Dominick Hall development, was completed in 2022. If commercial use is not viable, it could be repurposed as a valuable space for the community, education or the arts.

In my visualisation, the red blocks represent some of Dublin City's Derelict and Vacant Sites in Dublin City.

#HousingCrisis #DerelictIreland #VacantIreland #Dublin #Ireland

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

https://t.co/OyisP0pyBv is a public platform that I created, which turns fragmented statutory derelict site registers into a structured, map-based system that is easier to browse, filter, and understand.

DS2073 — Dorset Street Upper, 120, Dublin 1
https://t.co/9pNb7rrkUY

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

It is shameful to see the extent of dereliction along Dorset Street in Dublin City. My visual highlights several properties that could provide much-needed accommodation amid a housing crisis in which rents and housing are unaffordable for the vast majority.

Allowing properties, especially those of architectural heritage, to remain derelict or vacant for decades should be considered a crime against the state. Ireland's housing system is in disrepair, largely because of ineffective government policies.

In my visualisation, the red blocks represent some of Dublin City's Derelict and Vacant Sites in Dublin City.

#HousingCrisis #DerelictIreland #VacantIreland #Dublin #Ireland #HeritageAtRisk

[Rob Cross @RobCross247]

https://t.co/OyisP0p0LX is a public platform that I created that turns fragmented statutory derelict site registers into a structured, map-based system that is easier to browse, filter, and understand.

DSP 1740 — 63, North Main Street
https://t.co/skORjgojwg