Tourists taking risks by taking photos of iconic Cork cathedral, say councillors

You could get a lot closer to God than expected if you’re visiting a historic cathedral in a Co Cork town, according to councillors who are very worried about the safety of snap-happy tourists in the area.

Fears have been raised about visitors to St Colman’s Cathedral in Cobh getting knocked down by speeding cars as they snap images of the iconic building.

Many tourists go out onto the road to take pictures of the magnificent church while cars are “flying up” the road from its southern side, putting them in danger, a meeting was told.

Labour councillor Cathal Rasmussen, who is chairman of the Cobh Municipal District Council, raised the issue recently.

He said more warning signs are needed, along with the creation of a pedestrian crossing at the location.

He added that tour buses are parking dangerously in the area, and need dedicated spaces.

He also claimed some cars have had near-misses with funeral corteges.

Fine Gael councillor Sinead Sheppard and Independent councillor Ger Curley both said the situation there is extremely dangerous, while Fianna Fail councillor Dominic Finn maintained that people are going to get seriously injured or killed if the council does not urgently address the problem.

“A persistent issue has arisen where a wall along the boundary of St Colman’s Cathedral has sustained significant damage due to the passing of heavy goods vehicles and cars,” Mr Finn said. 

“Many drivers park on double yellow lines, narrowing the roadway and forcing passing vehicles, including HGVs, dangerously close to the curb.

“As a result, numerous vehicles scrape their wheels along the curb, forcing the huge cappings and railings to move.

“This repeated contact hasn’t only damaged the curb and fencing, but has also compromised the structural integrity of the wall, which is now at risk of collapse.”

He said vehicles have regularly done this in the past six months.

“Immediate action is now required to prevent further damage to the wall and ensure public safety, before someone gets seriously hurt or killed there,” Mr Finn added.

Council engineers said they would carry out a safety assessment in the area and report back with their findings.