Tom MacSweeney: A 1932 photo drew a lot of attention as Heritage Week opened in Monkstown
The image of the last train to Monkstown in 1932.
A photograph from September 1932 drew a lot of attention and nostalgia on the quayside at Monkstown village on Saturday.
It was one amongst many put on display by the village’s Community Heritage Group. From September 10, 1932, it showed the last train to run on the Cork-Monkstown railway before the narrow-gauge line was shut down.
That was an impressive railway route, using tunnels, along the harbour edge and onward to Crosshaven, which section of the line had been shut down earlier, on May 31.
It provided a great view to passengers, one which would grace any harbour worldwide. The railway was forced out of existence by the expansion of motor transport. It would be a magnificent resource if in existence today. But foresight is not a widespread resource amongst planners.
Nostalgia is a bittersweet emotional state combining a fond, warm longing for past times, places, or habits with sadness, because those moments are gone and cannot return.
This was very evident in Monkstown on Saturday when a large crowd took part in a Heritage Walk, tracing the history of the harbourside community.
“There is so much value in what heritage and history can teach us,” according to the group which continues to fight Cork County Council’s development plan for Monkstown which, it says, supports cars and traffic more than people. The Council has refused to discuss this plan with the community group which has rejected it.
“Ironic, isn’t it, that there was a railway line to Cork, destroyed by motorised traffic? Now, while some planners are discussing better and more rail links for Cork, others seem to favour cars over a community and its people.”
Capt Michael Murphy, assistant harbour master at Bantry Bay Port, was very satisfied when he saw two cruise ships anchored there at the same time last week. Adding to his delight, a third arrived a day later!
"The sight of two cruise vessels on the same day was unusual and welcome, demonstrating the Bay’s capacity to accommodate multiple cruise calls as a key gateway to Bantry and the wider West Cork region," he said.
The Azamara Quest was docked at Bantry Outer, while the Europa was at Bantry Inner. They carried over 1,000 guests and crew each. The following day, closing the cruise season at Bantry, Insignia of Oceania Cruises brought a similar number.
"A vibrant season that saw nine cruise liners call from April to August, bringing more than 6,000 passengers and crew from around the world to Bantry and West Cork, a valuable boost to local tourism, hospitality and businesses,” said the very pleased Capt Murphy.
“The 2026 season has once again showcased Bantry Bay as a stand-out cruise destination along the Wild Atlantic Way.”
Bantry Bay Port Company is a subsidiary of the Port of Cork.
The Cork organisers of the Ocean-to-City Race are going worldwide. They have launched the ‘5 Miles From Home’ Virtual Challenge for September 2-6 – describing it as “a big international challenge connecting boating communities across the world.”
“Taking part is simple,” they say. “We are offering world entry. The ‘Five Miles From Home’ is an opportunity to take part from wherever in the world you may be – joining us from your home waters. Put your training this year to good use. Most types of human-powered coastal craft are eligible to enter. We already have entries from St Ayles Skiffs, Stand Up Paddle Boards, Canoes, Runners, Teifi Skiffs, Celtic Longboats and more.”
Registration is open until Wednesday of next week, August 26. Details at: https://www.active.com/.../5-miles-from-home-event-2026
Harbour residents objecting to Indaver’s proposal for a toxic waste incinerator at Ringaskiddy have been told by Coimisiún Pleanála that it has “requested further information” from the company.
So this 25-year planning saga and controversy continues.
The death has taken place of Colm O’Sullivan emeritus professor at UCC whose involvement in research of the Ballymartle Chalice - “A chalice that has travelled the oceans back home to Cork”.
I featured him in this column last month. He wrote several historical and biographical pieces and published in the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society’s Journal.
Seascapes Podcast Seascapes is Ireland’s only regular maritime programme. Listen at: tommacsweeneyseascapes.ie or wherever you get Podcasts.
App?
