County Mayor column: Honour to meet so many great people doing our county proud

IT WAS a great weekend for Cork and Ireland as Macroom native Bambie Thug did the country proud by placing sixth in the Eurovision Song Contest.

It was heartening to see Macroom’s street party, which live streamed the event, organised within 24 hours by local groups and individuals including Lee Valley Enterprise Board, Macroom Lions Club, Macroom Tidy Towns, Briery Gap, and Macroom Music Fest.

The event was a testament to the strong sense of community spirit and pride that thrives in Macroom and throughout the county.

I also had the pleasure of welcoming several groups and individuals to a special civic reception this week to Cork County Hall to celebrate their fantastic achievements in the fields of community and sport.

I would like to congratulate all the honourees, each one makes an important contribution to the cultural, sporting life or safety of our communities.

The groups and individuals honoured at the reception were as follows:

• Cork camogie team.
• Stephen O’Leary.
• Jake O’Brien.
• Mark O’Mahony.
• East Cork GAA Board.
• Doneraile, Buttevant and Mallow First Responders.
• Fermoy Musical Society.
• ICA Cork Federation.
• O’Donovan Rossa.
• Conor Shanahan.
• Fermoy Concert Band

New book celebrating Bantry Library

I am happy to report that the launch of a new book on the history of Bantry Library to coincide with the building’s 50th anniversary will take place this week.

The publication explores the conception and construction of one of Ireland’s finest examples of modern architecture and captures the sense of socio-economic and cultural change experienced in Ireland in the 1960s and 1970s.

The community of Bantry benefits hugely from their local library, a magnificent building that still catches the eye 50 years later. Whether it is through hosting events such as Lego Clubs and story time for kids, or hosting numerous local groups and events, Bantry Library provides an important hub for the community.

I am pleased to announce that 18 new social homes have been officially launched in Bantry.

The former Mercy Convent in the town has been transformed into a combination of 10, one-and two-bed homes. It is great to see such a prominent historical vacant building being brought back into use here in Bantry, and Cork County Council are delighted to collaborate with Clúid in its delivery.

These much-needed homes will help to meet social housing needs locally for older members of our community.

The development will contribute positively to the vibrant and welcoming community of Bantry and will allow older people to live in their own area and enjoy a quality of life whilst maintaining their established connections within the community.

Greenway 

Moving on to roads and transportation, I am inviting members of the public to have their say on early-stage plans for the West Cork Greenway, Bandon Sections. In the council, we welcome the chance to meet with community members at the in-person events and ask people to provide feedback through the online questionnaire.

Community input is key to ensuring this greenway aligns with the needs of residents and businesses in the area.

Our common goal is to develop a greenway that will provide a safe, sustainable, and healthy transport option for local communities.

It would support a modal shift away from car use and encourage visitors to come and explore the local heritage and scenic areas of West Cork.

Lastly, we were pleased to welcome the first cruise ship of the 2024 season to our harbours.

The expedition cruise ship, Seabourn Venture, made its inaugural call to Schull last week. West Cork is becoming increasingly popular for small ships and expedition cruising. Attracting such prestigious international visitors here is a valuable contributor not just to the local economy but also to the region’s reputation and visibility.

We will welcome 11 cruise calls to our harbours in 2024, to Kinsale, Schull and Bere Island. Meanwhile, in Bantry, the cruise season has already begun, and the Port of Cork will receive 22 cruise ships this summer.

— Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn.