All About Cork: No live air quality monitoring near proposed incinerator

Concerns have been raised about the monitoring of air quality in Carrigaline, Crosshaven, and Passage West, in light of the fact that the two monitors covering the wider area are currently non-operational.

Former Labour Party local election candidate John O’Regan said the issue is of particular significance given that a live application for an incinerator in Cork Harbour is in train, and significant traffic congestion continues to build around Carrigaline, Crosshaven, and Passage West.

Mr O’Regan pointed out that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) takes readings from monitors across the country, publishing the findings on their website at www.airquality.ie.

“The air quality index for health (AQIH) then ranks the amount of pollutant in the air on a scale from 1 to 10,” said Mr O’Regan.

Currently, the status of the air quality monitoring station in Carrigaline is marked “offline” on the EPA website, with data last uploaded 28 months ago. The current AQIH is marked as being “not available”.

There is no link on the EPA site to a monitoring station in Ringaskiddy.

Mr O’Regan said the Carrigaline and Ringaskiddy monitors, the only two on that side of the harbour, are both offline.

“The Carrigaline monitor has not been functioning since 2023 and I have confirmation from the EPA that there is currently no air monitoring station in Carrigaline since the BAM unit went out of service,” said Mr O’Regan

“Cork County Council has said they currently going through the procurement process to replace this instrument.”

In relation to the Ringaskiddy monitor, the EPA this week confirmed that a Fidas monitoring device was installed at Cork Port on November 11 and is in the process of being configured for communication with airquality.ie.

“It is beyond belief that our two air quality monitors are currently out of action at a time when we are being asked to consider an incinerator in Ringaskiddy,” said Mr O’Regan.

He said one of the key issues residents across Cork Harbour have is the impact the incinerator may have on air quality.

“How are we supposed to know that if the monitors are not even working? Fold in the heavy traffic congestion and families are left in the dark on the air they are breathing every day,” said Mr O’Regan. He said he will continue to press for information as to when the Carrigaline monitor will be reinstated.

“I will not let this go until both of these monitors are fully operational,” he pledged.

Carraig ag Caint continues its Irish programme of events

After a busy term, Carraig ag Caint has more Irish events than ever going on in Carrigaline.

With four ciorcal comhrás a week, three Irish conversation classes along with a monthly bilingual céilí on the second Saturday of each month and the monthly Aifreann Gaeilge on the second Sunday of each month, there are plenty of opportunities for people to use their cúpla focal.

This month, their branch of Conradh na Gaeilge took part in Gaeilge24 where they tried to speak Irish for a day.

Pupils from first to sixth class in the gaelscoil along with first years in the gaelcholáiste and Coláiste Muire Réalt na Mara, Crosshaven, also took on the challenge.

“We are delighted to be involved in Trasna na dTonnta in early December, when we will take part in a 72-hour continuous conversation in Irish around the world,” said a spokesperson.

“Starting in Singapore on December 1, we will fill an hour of caint agus comhrá on Wednesday, December 3, live from the Carrigaline Court Hotel to all over the world for the fourth year,” they said.

Meanwhile, the Monday evening Cumann na bhFiann Irish Youth Club in the Pipe Band Hall will run for another two weeks, finishing up on December 1, and will return in January.

The Cóisir na Nollag Christmas Party will be held upstairs in Tig an Cúinne from 7.30pm on December 17. All are welcome, fáilte roimh cách.

Additionally, there will be monthly pop-up Gaeltachts from January.

For more information, visit @carraigagcaint on Instagram, Carraig ag Caint on Facebook, or email carraigagcaint@gmail.com.

Pipe Band to be honoured by civic reception in County Hall

At the request of county councillors in the Carrigaline municipal district, the Carrigaline Pipe Band will be honoured with a civic reception in County Hall in December to recognise their World Championship win in Glasgow.

Mayor of the County of Cork Mary Linehan Foley is facilitating the occasion.

A post on the Carrigaline Pipe Band Facebook page said the civic reception will take place on December 1.

“A massive thank you to all the councillors who put us forward for this incredible honour, and to Mayor Cllr Mary Linehan Foley for facilitating this special event,” it said.

Lions Club film awards

The Carrigaline Film Awards, hosted by Carrigaline and District Lions Club, continue tonight in the Carrigaline Court Hotel.

The seven films Father Ted, Taken, Misery, Suffragettes, In the Name of the Father, The Devil Wears Prada, and Bad Sisters, with well-known local actors filmed in familiar locations, make for great entertainment.

The charities benefitting from the film awards are Childhood Cancer Ireland, the Jack & Jill Foundation, Headway Ireland, Rebel Wheelers, Carrigaline First Responders, and Carrigaline Youth Centre.

The Lions Club Food Appeal will run on Friday and Saturday, December 5 and 6, in the same locations that the Lions Club has used for the past 35 years.

Tidy Towns awards night

Carrigaline Tidy Towns is looking forward to a good attendance at its first Community Awards Night since before the covid pandemic, which will be held at the Carrigaline Court Hotel on Thursday, November 27.

On the night, Tidy Towns will celebrate its fourth gold medal in a row.

An entertaining night is planned with food, music, and awards. Everybody associated with and supportive of Tidy Towns is invited and very

welcome to attend the night.

Monster bingo

The Monster Bingo Night will take place in the Carrigaline Court Hotel on Tuesday, November 25, at 7.30pm.

The annual event, sponsored by Martin Scaffolding, has a jackpot game and several spot prizes.

A fun night is guaranteed with all the proceeds going to Marymount Hospice. It is advised to go early because it will be a sell-out night as always.

Vocations Society draw

The Carrigaline branch of the St Joseph’s Young Priests Society, now named Vocations Society of St Joseph, will hold its annual Christmas draw on December 15.

It will have many seasonal prizes, hampers, and Christmas cakes.

Lines are €2 each or three for €5, available from members.

The society meets on the second Monday
of each month in the Parish Centre after
morning Mass.