Cork County Council to develop €1.5m watersports facility in Youghal

Cork County Council is to develop a €1.5m watersports facility at one of East Cork’s most popular beaches.

The facility will be in the car park at the entrance to Claycastle Beach in Youghal.

It will have indoor and outdoor showers, changing rooms, and toilets.

It has been hailed as “a game-changer” for tourism attractions in the East Cork region by Mayor of Co Cork Mary Linehan-Foley, who lives in the town.

Councillors unanimously supported the plan, which was proposed by council chief executive Moira Murrell and her officials.

The 58sq m facility will be built within the car park.

The ‘single low-rise structure’ will have five indoor showers; four outdoor showers and wash-down facilities, plus four indoor toilet cubicles, and will include changing places and access for people with impaired mobility.

In addition, there will be wash-hand basins, ancillary storage, and space for equipment.

Blue Flag beach

Claycastle is a Blue Flag beach, popular with swimmers and water-sports enthusiasts, with its sheltered bay offering ideal conditions for a range of activities. Council officials said the construction project would not require any work to be undertaken on the nearby beach, sand dunes, or the inter-tidal zone.

About 25 car-parking spaces will be lost to accommodate the building.

According to council officials, this will still leave 225 spaces, which they say is more than adequate to meet demand.

No demolition works or excavation beyond foundation construction will be required.

The building is being designed above tidal flood levels and will include non-return valves, flood-resilient finishes, and elevated electrical systems to guard against storm surges.

“This has long been awaited in my hometown and I want to thank the county council and Fáilte Ireland for making this happen. We have been fighting for this for a number of years,” Ms Linehan-Foley said.

She proposed the adoption of the plan and was seconded by Fine Gael councillor Michael Hegarty.