All About Cork: New pedestrian and cycle route opened in Carrigaline

A new pedestrian and cycle route linking the northeast side of Carrigaline to the town centre has been officially opened by Cork County Council.

The 500-metre pedestrian and cycle route has been constructed along the former railway line from Bridgemount Road to Herons Wood, with the four-metre-wide route forming part of the proposed overall Active Travel network from the city boundary north of Passage West to Crosshaven and Ringaskiddy.

The works were carried out by McGinty & O’Shea Ltd and funded by the National Transport Authority.

The local authority has also this week officially opened the newly upgraded village centre and active travel scheme in Ringaskiddy, that enhances public spaces in the village and provides a segregated path for pedestrians and cyclists from the Port of Cork entrance through the village to Gobby Beach. Key features of the project include a new three-metre-wide, 1.75km path, enhanced pedestrian crossings, traffic calming measures, landscaping including wildflower grass verges and rain gardens, upgraded public lighting, and community spaces.

Speaking following the opening ceremonies the Mayor of County Cork, councillor Mary Linehan Foley, said both projects “are more than just footpaths and cycleways.”

“They are creating safer, healthier and more vibrant areas. I would like to thank the communities in both locations for their ongoing support especially during the construction works. The end results show what is possible when everyone collaborates and works together,” she said.

“By investing in active travel and urban renewal, we’re supporting local communities and businesses while also tackling the climate challenges we face.” Sentiments echoed by Minister of State for Community Development, Charities and Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer TD.

“Both schemes provide their local communities with an array of benefits including providing safe facilities for students to travel to schools, providing healthy and sustainable options for short local trips, contributing to improvements in health,and wellbeing and creating a more pleasant and peaceful environment for residents and communities,” said Mr Buttimer. Cork County Council chief executive, Moira Murrell, said the projects reflected the local authority’s commitment to sustainable development.

“The Bridgemount to Herons Wood scheme is the first part of the integrated transport network for Carrigaline which aims to rejuvenate the town centre, enhance cycle and pedestrian amenities for residents, and promote connectivity with surrounding destinations by sustainable travel modes,” said Ms Murrell.

Camden Fort Meagher recycling site permanently closed

Cork County Council has cited car park improvements as the reason for the permanent removal removal of bring site bins from Camden Fort Meagher.

The move means that locals seeking to recycle items in Crosshaven will now need to travel to Carrigaline or Fountainstown.

The council said the bins have been removed to facilitate improvement works to the car park at the popular tourist attraction. The car park improvements represent the latest phase in enhancing visitor facilities at the site, which draws thousands of visitors annually to its historic fortifications overlooking Cork Harbour.

The permanent nature of the removal means Crosshaven will no longer have its own dedicated recycling facility, a significant change for the local community, which has been able to avail of the bring sites for a number of years.

For Crosshaven residents who regularly used the facility, the nearest alternative is now the eCars charge point at Owenabue car park in Carrigaline, located on the R611, approximately 7km from Crosshaven village. The facility’s Eircode is P43NV60.

Those heading towards the coast may find the beach side car park in Fountainstown more convenient, particularly for residents of nearby Myrtleville and Rocky Bay. This site, Eircode P43A529, is approximately 4km from Crosshaven via the R612.

The local authority has reminded people that both alternative sites accept glass bottles and jars, aluminium cans, and textiles, with opening hours typically from dawn to dusk.

Cork County Council apologised for any inconvenience caused by the change.

Pioneer mass

A final reminder to Pioneers throughout the Diocese of Cork, that the annual Pioneer Mass will take place this Saturday, September 6, at 6pm in the Church of Our Lady and St John, Carrigaline.

It is also the regular vigil mass in the parish and will be celebrated by Monsignor Aidan O’Driscoll co-PP VG. Long service pins and certificates will be presented after the mass followed by refreshments.

Enquiries to Aislinn 087 969 9488.

Carraig ag Caint

Carraig ag Caint will hold its AGM in the Carrigaline Court Hotel on Wednesday, September 10, at 7.30pm. All are welcome.

Established in February 2022, Carraig ag Caint now holds two Ciorcal Comhrás every Wednesday and supports the monthly Tae agus Plé on the last Friday of the month in the library. They also organise weekly Club Óige on Mondays, a monthly Club Leabhar along with termly and seasonal family events as Gaeilge.

If you have an interest in using your Irish on a more regular and relaxed way, come along and get involved.

A spokesperson said that with the local Gaelscoil celebrating its 40th year, “there must be thousands of Irish speakers in Carrigaline.”

“You many have forgotten some of your vocabulary but this will encourage you to draw on the memories of laethanta le Gaeilge. So many gaeilgeoirí from all over Ireland now call Carrigaline their home and what better way to find friends and other people who share your love for the language and culture.”

Club Leabhar

Now in its second year, the Club Leabhar (Carrig Ag Léamh) is delighted to be able to use the newly refurbished Library to gather on the first Tuesday of every month to discuss their latest book.

A spokesperson said that having spent the first year between venues and homes, “it is great to have a base, especially when Cork County Library is supplying the Irish books for the Club Leabhar to read.

“Hopefully this will encourage other libraries to establish their own Club Leabhar now that the books are available . “What a great facility to have in our village. We are very fortunate and grateful. Bíonn comhrá iontach ag an ngrúpa gach mí.”

Carraig ag Caint have also donated many Irish books to the library lately, so check out the new selection of books at various levels le léamh anois. Why not try to read leabhar as Gaeilge before the end of the year?

Carrigaline Lions

The Carrigaline Lions Club received a huge response of over 60 applicants to participate in the upcoming Carrigaline Film Awards. The Dublin production team recently came to cast the first 35 applicants. The remaining applicants were interviews and cast last Monday, allowing rehearsals and filming to get underway.

The response to the Lions Club 34th annual Cycle Classic on Saturday, September 27 in aid of three cancer charities is well up on last year and may create a record for recent years. Distances to suit everybody from 100k to 50k and 30 K and there is still time to register.