Latest news with #CarrigalineMunicipalDistrictCouncil
Irish Examiner
21-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Carrigaline 'must be included in Cork's Luas plans', say councillors
The largest town in Co Cork must be included in the proposed €1bn Luas light rail plan for the city, councillors representing the area have said. They are planning to submit a formal application requesting that the Luas, whose proposed route runs 18km from Ballincollig in the west to Mahon Point in the east, with 25 stops along the way, be extended to Carrigaline. With a population of more than 20,000, which is continuing to grow, councillors say Carrigaline's inclusion is a "must" as it is already one of the largest commuter towns in the country. They also want the industrial hub in Ringaskiddy, which employs thousands in pharmachem industries, to be linked to the new transport system. The issue was raised at a meeting of the Carrigaline Municipal District Council by Sinn Féin councillor Eoghan Fahy. Mr Fahy said he was 'very disappointed' with the plan which was unveiled last month by Taoiseach Micheál Martin who hailed it as a significant step that will be transformational for Cork City. 'We know this (plan) won't happen overnight, so we have to start bringing it to the table now and have it include Carrigaline and Ringaskiddy,' Mr Fahy said. Fianna Fáil councillor Patrick Donovan said the bus service to and from city is 'creaking' and a Luas connection is vital for both areas. 'We're told there should be a bus in Carrigaline every 15 minutes but that doesn't happen. It is my understanding that there is land zoned at the Shannonpark roundabout for transportation needs and this could be used as a park and ride connection to the Luas,' he said. Mr Donovan said this would come in useful even if the Luas was only extended to Douglas. He said that the M28 motorway project will not solve all transport problems in the Carrigaline and Ringaskiddy areas and a Luas connection is vital 'to get people out of their cars' and onto public transport. 'Carrigaline should be front and centre of this project and the airport also has a compelling argument for its inclusion,' Fine Gael councillor Jack White added. He suggested that once the motorway is opened the current main road could then be utilised for the Luas route and such a link to the commuter town will be the environmentally sustainable option going forward. Fianna Fáil councillor Audrey Buckley said she had already made a personal submission to have Carrigaline and Ringaskiddy included and had asked her friends via Facebook to do the same thing. 'We should have joined-up thinking on this, it just boggles the mind (that they haven't been included),' she added. Fine Gael councillor Una McCarthy said it 'was a no-brainer' especially as 'Carrigaline is one of biggest commuter towns in Ireland'. Municipal district council chairman Ben Dalton-O'Sullivan agreed with his colleagues. 'This is everything we should be aiming for,' he said. Council officials said they had put together a formal request to those overseeing the Luas project public submissions.
Irish Examiner
04-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Crosshaven 'may miss out on tourism boost due to inadequate infrastructure'
Plans by Fáilte Ireland to boost Cork Harbour tourism could bypass a seaside town because it hasn't got the infrastructure to cope with increased visitor numbers. Senior members of the tourism authority will be told that Crosshaven could miss out on valuable revenue under plans to promote the harbour. The issue was raised at a meeting of the Carrigaline Municipal District Council by Fine Gael councillor Jack White. He said the lack of parking, proper road infrastructure, and limited wastewater capacity must be addressed in Crosshaven in the preparation of the introduction of the Cork Harbour Tourism Plan. Mr White suggested tourists could be brought in an out of the coastal village by water. Maurice Murphy, the most senior council official for the wider Carrigaline region, acknowledged that there is no land on the market which the local authority can purchase for extra car parking. He added that the next county development plan must ensure land is zoned for this. Rose Carroll, who leads the council's tourism unit, said the infrastructure deficits 'are being clearly communicated and considered as part of the plan's formulation, with a view to unlocking the area's full tourism potential'. Independent councillor Ben Dalton-O'Sullivan said Fáilte Ireland officials are due to address the council's tourism committee and the concerns raised by Mr White will be discussed with them. The Cork Harbour tourism plan comes under the auspices of the national strategy known as Ireland's Ancient East, but Fianna Fáil councillor Patrick Donovan maintained that Crosshaven should be part of the Wild Atlantic Way. Mr Donovan asked when Camden Fort Meagher would open for tourists this year. Plans to open it in the spring were delayed because of damage caused by Storm Éowyn. Phillippa Deane, the attraction's acting manager, said repairs should be completed in mid-May and announced that in July and August it will open on a seven-day basis instead of five. She said new bilingual exhibitions telling Camden's fascinating story have been installed and additional parts of the fort will open to the public for the first time. New walkways are also to be opened. Ms Deane added: Fort management will be working throughout the season in collaboration with our new operator to ensure the highest quality offering, in our wonderfully scenic café space. Meanwhile, Mr Murphy said the council has submitted 'a very ambitious plan' to government for funding to upgrade facilities there, adding maintenance of the fort will also cost a considerable amount of money in the coming years. Mr Donovan welcome the news but maintained it should be open all year round and not just from April to September and should be used for corporate events.
