MEP to explore if EU legislation could safeguard Cork's Murphy's Rock 

A GREEN Party MEP said she will explore if EU environmental legislation could be used to safeguard a large greenspace on the northside of Cork city from future development.

Ireland South MEP Grace O’Sullivan recently visited the lands at Murphy’s Rock, a site in the region of 200 acres in the Kilcully area, to hear from locals who wish to see it preserved as an amenity.

“Murphy’s Rock is an important part of Cork’s natural and historical heritage and should be protected as such.

“We know now the value of Irish wetlands as areas of biodiversity and as carbon sinks,” she said, speaking after the visit.

Amendment to development plan 

Ms O’Sullivan acknowledged the work of her party colleague, councillor Oliver Moran, who proposed a successful amendment to the city development plan in 2022 which states that any development in the area should “safeguard access to the riverside, protect biodiversity and preserve this ecological and visually sensitive asset”.

“Consideration will be given to existing historic, cultural and social landmarks and their integration into any enhanced future riverside park,” continues the amendment.

Ms O’Sullivan added that she would explore if EU legislation could be used to protect the land from development.

“It is important now that we examine what further protections can be put in place under the longstanding Birds and Habitats Directives as well as new measures like the EU Nature Restoration Law and the Green Party’s landmark €3bn Climate and Nature Fund,” she said.

In a report by the Land Development Agency (LDA) identifying land potentially suitable for housing, it states that some of the land, a large section of which is understood to be owned by the IDA, “is identified for transfer to the LDA under Housing for All”.

“The lands around Murphy’s Rock are identified as ‘Class 3’ by the LDA in terms of their suitability for housing.

“This means that it would require a strategic plan-led approach and extensive stakeholder engagement before it could be advanced,” Mr Moran explained.

“The approximate timescale would likely be over 10 years, which takes the question outside of the immediate needs of the housing crisis.

“There are live planning permissions in the Ballyvolane area with infrastructure being built that the LDA could more feasibly take over to deliver housing in the immediate term.”

Mr Moran highlighted that the LDA has already met with members of the community.

“What I wouldn’t like is for the objective of the Glenamought River Valley Park [within Murphy’s Rock] to get lost in limbo while that timescale of the LDA works itself out.

“I would much prefer to see the Glenamought River Valley Park project going ahead now led by Cork City Council in partnership with the community. That would have benefits for the whole community,” he said.

'Extremely important' to residents 

Murphy’s Rock and Bride Valley Support Group chairwoman Joan Lewis said the area is “extremely important” to local residents, citing what she described as a lack of green spaces on the northside of the city.

Ms Lewis stressed that local residents have demonstrated in the past that they are “not against development” elsewhere in the locality but that Murphy’s Rock needs to be protected as an amenity.

Pauline Cudmore, also involved in the group, said people have walked the greenspace “for centuries”.

Ms Cudmore said she would like to see the area mostly “left wild” with some sensitively designed paths to make the greenspace more accessible.