All About Cork: State urged to intervene on future of Bessborough site

Independent councillor for the Cork City South-East ward, Kieran McCarthy, has called for “a reasoned chat” following the refusal of two recent planning applications on the grounds of the former Bessborough mother and baby home.

Two applications were submitted to Cork City Council by Estuary View Enterprises in 2022, in respect of separate housing developments on the Bessborough estate, comprising a total of 420 apartments.

The first application, which was refused last month by An Coimisiún Pleanála, formerly An Bord Pleanála, sought to develop 140 apartment units on the Bessborough site, which included the demolition of 10 agricultural buildings for the construction of three new apartment blocks ranging in height from three to five storeys. The development plans, entitled “The Meadows”, also included provisions for vehicular and pedestrian access points, public amenities, and a childcare facility.

The second application, which was also refused last month by An Coimisiún Pleanála, sought to develop 280 apartment units on the eastern side of the Bessborough site, which included four buildings ranging in height from one to 10 storeys. The plans for the second phase of the development, entitled “The Farm”, also included provisions for an on-site cafe and a childcare facility.

Commenting on the refusal, Mr McCarthy said that based on the indecision surrounding the site, he is now urging the Government to intervene.

“It has been a long wait for the second major apartment development to go through the planning process, [and] it has now been refused,” said Mr McCarthy. “That’s two refusals for two Bessboro developments respectively in the last few [weeks]. A third application for the western part of the site has not been submitted yet.

“As of now, and there has been a long wait, there is no live planning application, which allows for a reasoned chat on the future of Bessborough, linked to its future and becoming a memorial park,” he added.

“If the land is unable to be built upon, which seems to be the case now realistically, I am calling on Government to intervene and chat with the developer in order to buy the lands so that they could be ceded to Cork City Council and a memorial park can be created.

“Government has noted [previously] that it will help in the remembrance and memorial elements of Bessborough — now a window has opened to explore that with all stakeholders.”

Call to replace Belisha beacons with pedestrian crossings

A call has been made to Cork City Council for the replacement of Belisha beacons with 066 RUS pedestrian crossings at several locations across the Cork city south-east ward.

Labour Party councillor for the ward, Peter Horgan, raised the issue with the local authority last month and called for the implementation of the pedestrian crossings as a pilot project “for faster rollout of a type of semi-protected crossings”.

Mr Horgan’s request starts with the Broadale-Maryborough Ridge crossing, and further includes two within Ballintemple Village, at the north and south entrances.

His call comes as “a matter of urgency to protect pedestrians against increasing traffic volumes and speed”.

Speaking to The Echo, Mr Horgan said that he has been “relentlessly focused on securing a safer Ballintemple village for residents and visitors”.

“Working cross party, we have secured funding to repair footpaths there, but key in my mind is a safe pedestrian crossing at the northern and south ends of the village,” said Mr Horgan.

“We must reduce speeds coming into the village, and make it safer for young and old alike to cross.

“An RUS crossing is essentially an uncontrolled crossing, but is something that needs to fully be considered as a short-term measure, and I will keep pursuing this pedestrian-crossing facility for Ballintemple.”

In response, a spokesperson for Cork City Council said that these crossings require a similar level of funding for civil works, and require the same statutory process as the Type A crossing with Belisha beacons.

“Currently, there is no city council funding available for this type of works,” the spokesperson said. “However, Broadale-Maryborough Ridge and Ballintemple village will be added to the list of areas that will be assessed for a pedestrian crossing, should funding be made available.”

Ringmahon Park works

Works at Ringmahon Park have progressed further with the installation of new floodlights.

In a post shared on social media, a spokesperson for Ringmahon Rangers AFC said that the “off- season work still continues in Ringmahon Park”, as new floodlights were installed last week.

“[We have] seen the installation of our new floodlights for our first pitch,” the spokesperson said.

“Massive thank you to Sports Capital Ireland for their grant allocation and also to Tony O’Donnell for his tireless work doing all the paperwork.

“The dream of Friday night football in Ringmahon Park is nearly upon us.”

Organisers of this year’s Blackrock Village Festival are urging members of the public to join the fun, as a sneak peak of the entertainment line-up has been revealed.

Blackrock Village Festival

The Blackrock Village Festival, officially taking place on August 23, will kick off with a concert on August 22 at St Michael’s Church, and will be performed by the Cork Light Orchestra, from 5.30pm.

Other highlights, on August 23, include a club parade on the Marina from 1pm, where local clubs are invited to participate; live music at the Pier Plaza from 1pm to 6pm; a children’s play area, salsa dancing, boat trips, and more.

People of all ages and abilities are invited to join, with more information available on the event’s Facebook page.

Mahon courses

Several courses and activities, delivered by Cork City Partnership CLG, will take place in Mahon this autumn.

Cork City Partnership CLG, established in 1992, focuses on supporting both individuals and groups who are experiencing disadvantage in communities across the city and county.

Courses and activities announced for this autumn will all take place at the Mahon Community Centre, and include arts and crafts on September 16, from 10am to 12pm; pilates on October 17, from 9.30am to 11am; a ‘greener living’ course, which looks at ways to lessen the load caused by humans on the planet, on Wednesdays in October; a beauty and wellbeing course, with further details to be confirmed; and a women’s group on September 11, from 11.15am to 1.15pm.

For further information, contact Caitríona Ní Mhaidin on 083 3604611 or via email: cnimhaidin@partnershipcork.ie.

Memorial tournament

The annual Thomas Morrissey Memorial Tournament took place on Sunday at the Ringmahon Rangers AFC grounds.

All proceeds from the event will go towards The Rainbow Club Cork Centre for Autism, with the online donations page, at the time of print, standing at €860 raised out of the €1,000 target.

In a post shared on social media, a spokesperson for Ringmahon Rangers said that the club is “proud to host this tournament each year”.

Players in this year’s event included the Ringmahon Junior Prem, Ringmahon Junior A, Everton Utd, and a family team.

Donations will be accepted to the online page until September 30.

To make a donation, visit: https://tinyurl.com/mr2w96w7.