Tom MacSweeney: Cork’s River Lee is a wasted resource, say key players

Two leading figures in Cork’s maritime sector have criticised the city and county council’s neglect of the River Lee.

Aidan Coffey, chief executive of Hibernia Line, the new ferry service from Ringaskiddy to France, and Isobel McKenna, general manager of Meitheal Mara, were both strong in their comments.

Announcing the annual Cork Harbour Festival — 100 events between May 30 and June 8 — Isobel said the councils should recognise, “the huge resource they have in the River Lee, flowing through both their areas, and make sure that there is access to it and communicate more about the river to the public”.

“At Meitheal Mara, we think about the river and how to highlight it,” Isobel, from the maritime cultural organisation and community boatyard, said.

“But it can be difficult for individuals to know how to get onto the water. The festival will highlight that and make the public aware of what a huge resource the river, the water, can be for them.”

The annual Ocean to City Race on Saturday, May 30, will be a focal point of the festival. There will be seafood trails, boat trips, sailing, powerboating, family events, harbour tours and maritime heritage, as well as historical and theatrical experiences.

There will be music, including Ceol Mara, the singing of sea shanties through Irish and discussions about them, led by Eamonn O’Ceallaigh.

As well as being CEO of Hibernia Ferries, which will begin a new service from Ringaskiddy to Boulogne-sur-Mer in Northern France next month, Aidan Coffey is CEO of Portus Greenway Limited. Portus had proposed electric catamaran ferries to link the harbour with the city quays. 

That plan has been put on hold until there is more clarity about river usage and the building of bridges that could affect river access to the city.

“It beggars belief,” Mr Coffey said, “how people can be looking to try and sterilise such a beautiful infrastructure as the river provides. I’m originally a Kildare man, but I’m living in Cork, fell in love with the harbour, an under-utilised facility, a direct highway up into the city, a facility that should be used more, but is underdeveloped. Infrastructure is terrible. There isn’t enough to even get boats into the water. More is needed.

“We have put a pause on the harbour ferries. It is disheartening. I am really, really disappointed that there is a plan to put three bridges across the river. If they go in, we will have no more tall ships, no more visiting naval ships, no more fishing boats up to the city quays. It is just giving away heritage.”

On a better note, the time for Hibernia Line will come on June 12 at 9pm, when the St Patrick ferry departs from Ringaskiddy for the first time.

“St Patrick was born in Boulogne-sur-Mer, a great connection with Ireland,” said Aidan.

“The following evening, June 13, the ship partnering the route operation, MV Akka, is to arrive into Ringaskiddy. Two milestones for Cork Harbour.”

Monkstown battle

The ‘giving away heritage’ argument comes up again at Monkstown, where the heritage committee continues to battle against Cork County Council’s proposal to remove the village’s central green island.

‘Heritage destruction’ is one description. Requests for meetings have been made.

I emailed the county mayor last month about communication with the public, referring to her ‘Welcome’ message on the council website, which includes a statement that, “It is of utmost importance citizens feel connected to their local council.” I haven’t had a reply.

Councillor Una McCarthy, Fine Gael, told me: “Ultimately, successful projects are those that bring communities with them.”

She welcomed the active travel project in Monkstown “as part of a broader effort to make communities safer, more accessible, and more sustainable for everyone”, and is mindful of concerns raised about the removal of the island.

“For many, this plays an important role in traffic calming, road safety, and the overall character of the area. These concerns are valid and deserve careful consideration.”

Boat refurbishment

One piece of positive heritage news, from Tograí Chléire, Cape Clear Island Projects Group.

“Funding from BIM and matching from Tograí means we start on the big project of conservation of the Ard Casta. This is one of a series of ‘Ard’ boats built by BIM in the late 1950s to modernise the fishing fleet. She employed up to seven at a time, with a big economic impact on Cape.

“Side-trawling style of fishing is not practised anymore.

“She needs to be lifted out of the water for repair, to make her history accessible to people interested in the marine heritage of Oileán Chléire.”

This will be done in Liam Hegarty’s boatyard at Oldcourt, Skibbereen.

SEASCAPES PODCAST

Investigating the five companies operating foreign ‘factory ships’ fishing off Ireland, https://tommacsweeneymaritimepodcast.ie or wherever you get podcasts.

• Email: tommacsweeneymarine@gmail.com