All About Cork: Council seek funds for new public space in Carrigaline

A Cork County Council official has said that the authority is to seek funding to complete an ambitious plan aimed at rejuvenating an area in the heart of Carrigaline and creating a new public open space.

Last year, the authority lodged a Part 8 planning application for the proposed Carrigaline Village Public Real scheme at the Owenabue car park and riverside in the in the heart of the town.

The plan makes provision for a new public open space incorporating a plaza, pavilions, biodiversity/pollinator planting, open green spaces and a seating area.

According to a report given to councillors at this week’s meeting of the Carrigaline Municipal District committee by district officer Denise Kidney, the proposed development consists of the following elements:

Environmental improvement works and enhancement of public realm and outdoor living to provide a ‘civic identity to the new public realm strongly connected with the water and the river ecology’

New waterfront public space, reclaimed from the existing car park, that will encourage community activities and connection to the water.

Enhanced public space to include inclusive street furniture, waterfront seating, rain gardens, trees, and shrubs.

A multifunctional public pavilion will provide a sheltered performance stage for community events, connected to the waterfront.

The plan also provides for the upgrade of public lighting and other ancillary works including drainage, the provision of additional car parking near the Bóthar Guidel entrance to replace parking reclaimed from the existing Owenabue car park, and alterations to the car park entrance at near the Bóthar Guidel entrance to replace parking reclaimed from the existing Owenabue car park.

The local community was invited to have a say on the project, with two public consultation processes taking place. Seven submissions were received in relation to the project, the majority of which supported it.

The Part 8 planning process closed in April of last year, with the plan going before full council last July, where it was unanimously approved by councillors.

In her report, Ms Kidney said the next step will be to seek the funding need to progress the project through to construction.

“The project to date has been funded 75% by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF,” wrote Ms Kidney.

“The initial grant funding was to take the project to Part 8 and, now that this has been achieved, Cork County Council intends to apply for the next call for URDF to fund the final design, tender and construction element,” she added.

Choir celebrate spreading joy

The Carrigaline Gospel Choir will cerebrate two decades of spreading joy and harmony wherever it performs at a special mass taking place this coming Saturday at 6pm in the Church of Our Lady and St John, Carrigaline.

The choir has gone from strength to strength since its first performance at Sunday mass in October 2005, performing at venues around Cork and sharing stages with internationally renowned tenors Plácido Domingo, the late Jose Carreras and Welsh soprano Katherine Jenkins among others. In 2018 they were part of a massed choir that performed for Pope Francis at Dublin’s Phoenix Park.

The choir regularly performs at fundraing events and in 2005, to mark its 10th anniversary, the choir recorded a CD ‘Joy and Harmony’ in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland.

However, performing at the local church has always been of key importance to the choir, and they have invited the public to come along on Saturday to share in celebrating this significant anniversary.

Councillor questions ratio of houses to services in town

A county councillor has brought into question the ratio of houses to services in Carrigaline.

The issue arose following a motion by Fine Gael’s Jack White at a municipal meeting calling on members to “acknowledge the lack of infrastructure in Carrigaline, in light of the huge amount of residential development that has taken place in recent years”.

He said if an appraisal of Carrigaline’s development over the past 30-40 years would ask if enough has been done in terms of recreational amenities, school places, electricity, and wastewater infrastructure, “the answer would be ‘no’.”

He said there was a “strong case” there should be no more housing in the town until “adequate infrastructure is in place”.

Party colleague Una McCarthy supported the motion saying: “It’s clear that as more houses are being built, public services like healthcare [and] schools are increasingly strained.”

Fianna Fáil’s Patrick O’Donovan said an extra special school may also be necessary soon.

Yacht club hold open day

The Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven is opening its doors to the public this Saturday, March 29, from 2pm to 4pm, inviting anyone interested in sailing to experience first-hand what the world’s oldest yacht club has to offer.

Visitors will have the chance to meet members, learn about various sailing and training opportunities, and explore the wealth of facilities available.

Visitors will hear about the history of the club and will have an opportunity to view artefacts and archives that will be on display, showcasing its deep maritime heritage.

The club will also be answering frequently asked questions about how to get children involved in sailing, membership fees and instalment options, event hire for weddings and private functions, and year-round access to club facilities. Whether a seasoned sailor, a complete beginner or simply curious about life on the water, the open day will have something for everyone.

Free CPR awareness day

Carrigaline First Responders will hold a ‘Hands Only CPR’ awareness day celebrating the groups 10th anniversary at the Carrigaline Court Hotel on Sunday, April 6, from 12pm to 5.30pm.

Under the banner ‘Everyone Can Save A Life’, the event is open to all ages and will include a free health check and instructions on adult and child CPR and actions to take when some one is choking.

All are welcome to attend the free walk in event.

Fundraiser for Shine Centre

The annual fundraising event by Friends and Meaney takes place in the Carrigaline GAA Pavilion on Sunday, April 6. The afternoon is being held in aid of the Shine Centre for Autism situated off the Ballea Road, Carrigaline.

There will be ongoing entertainment from 2 pm until 6 pm with plenty finger food available. All are welcome to pay at the door and funds raised will go to the charity.

Have Carrigaline and Crosshaven news to share? Contact bill.browne@theecho.ie.