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Cllr McCarthy to give talk on Sir John Benson and Nineteenth Century Cork
Independent Councillor and local historian Kieran McCarthy gives a zoom talk on this Thursday 25 November, 6.30pm. The topic is on the life and times of nineteenth century engineer Sir John Benson on his Cork works ranging from bridges to waterworks to special sites such as the Berwick Fountain. The talk is hosted by Engineer’s Ireland, Cork Branch, and the Friends of the Crawford. Booking details are here: www.engineersireland.ie/listings/event/7906
The talk reflects on the enormous legacy of engineer and architect Sir John Benson. His work as County Surveyor, Cork Harbour engineer and then City Engineer in Cork from 1846 to 1873 was notable. He was concerned with not only developing a public road network, developing river dredging works programme but also engineering a water supply for the entire city, and ultimately improving the quality of life in the city and region.
Cllr McCarthy noted: “Much has been written on many of John’s well-known works over the years such as the beautiful Berwick Fountain, the red bricked English Market exterior, the striking St Patrick’s Bridge and his work on designing the North Cathedral’s western tower”.
“John was passionate about his work and about Cork. His array of works he was involved in show he was a hard-worker and a visionary for his time. He was also a pioneer in designing National Exhibition buildings in Cork and in Dublin in order to showcase the products of the country. He is also remembered for his extensive railway line work being the engineer for the old Cork-Macroom rail line and the architect for the first Cork-Dublin railway terminus, which existed before the current Kent Station, and part of which still survives and is currently being preserved”, concluded Cllr McCarthy.
Cllr McCarthy: Push to Phase out Herbicides in Public Areas
Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has welcomed Cork City Council’s Parks and Recreation Division undertaking of trials researching various alternatives to herbicides. The research during the past three years has concluded that the alternatives are less effective and more costly. The alternatives included steam jet application, electric strimmer and organic herbicides. The disadvantage of the alternatives is that the control increases from one operation per year up to four for any one of the alternatives. That said the alternatives are by far more environmentally friendly in terms of greater biodiversity and pollinator friendly amenity areas.
Cllr McCarthy noted: “The Marina and The Atlantic Pond areas are core areas I have had phonecalls on and questions on the use of herbicide. The Roads Department are cognisant of general concerns regarding the use of glyphosate and have been conducting trials in the last three years with contractors using non-glyphosate products. These trials have incrementally ramped up to the point that in 2021 these trials cover 140km of the public road network, i.e., 28% of the road network. In the coming months, an evaluation of these trials will be completed with respect to effectiveness and costs, with a view to expanding the overall percentage of network treated with non-glyphosate products in 2022”.
“Providing the trials are deemed successful, contractors with effective non-glyphosate products are available, and costs match Council budget allocation, it is the Roads Departments intention to proceed with non-glyphosate products in the future treatment of the City’s road network”, concluded Cllr McCarthy.
Online Event: Engineering 19th Century Cork: Exploring the Work and Times of Sir John Benson, 25 November 2021
Kieran McCarthy gives a zoom talk on Nineteenth Century Engineer Sir John Benson on his Cork works ranging from bridges to waterworks to special sites such as the Berwick Fountain.
Thursday 25 November, 6.30pm, with Engineer’s Ireland, Cork Branch, and the Friends of the Crawford. Booking details here: www.engineersireland.ie/listings/event/7906
Kieran notes: “The talk reflects on the enormous legacy of engineer and architect Sir John Benson. His work as County Surveyor, Cork Harbour engineer and then City Engineer in Cork from 1846 to 1873 was concerned with not only developing a public road network, developing river dredging works programme but also engineering a water supply for the entire city, and ultimately improving the quality of life in the city and region.
Much has been written on many of John’s well-known works over the years such as the beautiful Berwick Fountain, the red bricked English Market exterior, the striking St Patrick’s Bridge and his work on designing the North Cathedral’s western tower.
John was passionate about his work and about Cork. His array of works he was involved in show he was a hard-worker and a visionary for his time. He was also a pioneer in designing National Exhibition buildings in Cork and in Dublin in order to showcase the products of the country. He is also remembered for his extensive railway line work being the engineer for the old Cork-Macroom rail line and the architect for the first Cork-Dublin railway terminus, which existed before the current Kent Station, and part of which still survives and is currently being preserved”.
McCarthy: Skehard Road Improvement Scheme Phase 3 Nearing Conclusion, 13 November 2021
Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has welcomed the near conclusion of the approved upgrade works under the Skehard Road Improvement Scheme (Phase 3) between CSO Junction and Church Road Junction are proceeding as planned. In a reply to Cllr McCarthy at this week’s Council meeting by the Chief Executive, it was noted that the realignment of footways is currently underway and will be followed by resurfacing and lining of the realigned carriageway. The project is expected to be substantially complete by mid-December, with any weather dependent surface finishes to be completed as temperatures allow early in the new year.
Cllr McCarthy noted: “Locals and those who use the road have been very patient with this part of Skehard Road. And I know the works has also been a very real headache and frustration for those who live adjacent the works. It is one of the narrowest parts of the road and the removal of the road and footpath for such a long period of time due to the advent of COVID and the stoppage of works has been challenging. The last piece of the challenge to be met now is the winter weather, which may hamper the laying of tarmacadam before the end of the year. The works are a regular discussant point at the monthly local area meeting of local public reps and the Council executive to finish off the works as soon as possible”.
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 11 November 2021
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town Article,
Cork Independent, 11 November 2021
Journeys to a Truce: A Daring Escape from Spike Island
A very insightful exhibition on some of the key Irish War of Independence figures from Passage West town takes place in the town’s museum at present. One of the figures presented is Henry O’Mahony, who in November 1921 as well as six others made a daring escape from the Internment Camp in Spike Island.
Henry was born in Passage West and attended the local national school. At the age of sixteen, he was indentured as an apprentice engine filter in Haulbowline dockyard where he continued to work after his apprenticeship was over.
Henry joined the IRA in 1917 and became Company captain and Deputy Commandant of the 9th Battalion, Cork No.1 Brigade. He was active in politics and was elected on the Sinn Féin ticket to the first meeting of the newly formed Passage West Town Commissioners on 14 July 1920. Five days later he was elected chairman of the body.
Not long afterwards Henry was arrested in Glenbrook and was one of 500 prisoners interned in Spike Island. At the next meeting of the town commissioners a few days later the clerk stated he had received a letter from the chairman stating that circumstances prevented him from attending meetings for the time being.
Henry in his Bureau of Military History account (WS1506) outlines his escape through tunnels and a boat escape on 10 November 1921. Henry, with six other Volunteer Officers, Maurice Twomey, William Quirke, Tom Crofts, Dick Barrett, Paddy Buckley and Jack Eddy got away under cover of darkness. Henry notes: “We tunnelled through a wall surrounding the prison which was the inside of a moat. We then scaled the outside wall by means of a timber ladder made from the joists of the flooring of the prison which we had by then wrecked. We made our way to the coast and eventually to the pier where we saw a guard on duty. When the guard left, Eddy waded out and brought to the pier a boat into which we tumbled into and, with the aid of a storm, succeeded in reaching Cobh and safety”.
The Passage West Exhibition also has more detailed descriptions of the escape by Volunteer William (Bill) Quirke. It took two full months to complete the plans – each member of the group of seven detailed for the escape attempt had certain tasks to complete. They worked in shifts making notes, charts to the changes of the moon, the height of the tide and, above all the operation of the search lights. A rope ladder was made from rungs of chairs and electric light flex. It was a range of seven men or try to escape.
On 10 November 1921 at 5pm, the group crowded into a hole in the wall at the back of one of the blocks and entered an old used passageway leading to the moat. The stones were immediately replaced by comrades. They then crouched in silence listening to the walk of the sentry as he marched to and fro on his regular beat above their heads. In addition it was a while and stormy night.
Bill relates in his account: “Now the accuracy of our time chart was put to the test. We knew it was only a matter of minutes before the searchlights started and that we must get over the second wall before going into the limelight, so to speak. It was an anxious time…Each time the sentry clicked his heels, which meant he was about to march back on the return beat, one of the two men dropped over the parapet and onto the island proper…We were all over the second wall and had the ladder clear when the torchlight swing into action”.
With very slow stages the group reached the boat on which they had planned to make their escape only to find that it would take a steam engine to shunt it to the water’s edge. Bill remarks that the group had heard about the boat from some prisoners who were taken out in a barbed wire cage to bathe during the summer. They went to an old outhouse to review the situation when a further complication arose. A soldier and a girl came in. It was an hour before they left. They were not aware of the group’s presence.
The group moved to the water’s edge and worked their way around the island to the pier. They knew that some boats were usually anchored on either side of the pier. Two pier guards marched briskly towards them but did not see them.
When the guards had gone some distance, the group made for a boat only to find that it was chained and locked. Two further boats were tried with a similar result. It was time for quick action. One by one they slipped across the pier and down the steps at the other side. Again, the first two boats were chained to the pier – but there was still another boat apparently anchored out abit from the others. Jack Eddie, from Ardmore, swam out to investigate. He came back and reported that it was anchored with a rope. Silently he entered the water again with a knife between the teeth.
Bill relates: “Jack swam out; cut the rope and paddled with her alongside. One by one way we took our seats. Dick Barrett beside me. Moss Twomey from Fermoy and Henry O’Mahony were in the next seat. Paddy Buckley from Mitchelstown and Tom Crofts from Cork were in the next while Jack Eddy steered”.
The group narrowly missed the patrol boat and they thought they were safely away when on came the big search light. It stopped in the water just a few feet short of the boat. Henry O’Mahony directed their course and at 3am they scrambled ashore at Cobh. Each one then began their journey back to their home area.
The Irish War of Independence Exhibition is currently open in Passage West Museum. More information on opening times from this website, www.passagemuseum.ie.
Captions:
1125a. Henry O’Mahony in a peaked cap, centre back of this old photograph from Spike Island Internment Camp (source: Spike Island Heritage Centre).
1125b. View of interior of Passage West Museum, present day (picture: Kieran McCarthy).
McCarthy: Extension of Mangala Walk Progressing, 10 November 2021
Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has welcomed progress on the extension of the Mangala walk. An allocation of €800,000 from the National Transport Authority (NTA) to Cork City Council earlier this year has allowed much progress on the next phase of the Ballybrack cycle scheme (phase 4). This next phase involves the construction of circa 2.1km, 4m wide pedestrian and cycle path connecting the recently completed Ballybrack Pedestrian and Cycle Track (phases 2 & 3) with Maryborough Hill and proposed new residential developments along the route, especially in Castletreasure.
Cllr McCarthy noted: “The project is slightly behind because of Covid and stoppage works in construction. But the NTA allocation has enabled Cork City Council to progress with a design team and it is currently preparing the detailed designs for the project. Ground investigation work is also currently proceeding at present. Cork City Council is hoping to be in a position to tender for the scheme in 2022. I will keep my pressure on what is a very exciting addition”.
Cllr McCarthy concluded: “The Mangala is a very important asset from a biodiversity perspective and from a quality of life, and for many other reasons. It would be my own view that the Mangala should be part of a much larger wider circular walking route even again, in and out of the Maryborough and Donnybrook ridges, where development is targeted. It is a concept that I have put forward in discussions for the draft Development Plan, and something I continue to lobby for”.
Ward Works – The Mangala Extension Update, 8 November 2021:
An allocation of €800,000 from the National Transport earlier this year has allowed much progress on the next phase of the Ballybrack cycle scheme (phase 4).
This next phase involves the construction of circa 2.1km, 4m wide pedestrian and cycle path connecting the recently completed Ballybrack Pedestrian and Cycle Track Phases 2 & 3 with Maryborough Hill and proposed new residential developments along the route, especially in Castletreasure.
The project is slightly behind because of Covid and stoppage works in construction.
But the allocation has enabled Cork City Council to progress with a design team and it is currently preparing the detailed designs for the project.
Ground investigation work is also currently proceeding at present.
Cork City Council is hoping to be in a position to tender for the scheme in 2022.I will keep my pressure on what is a very exciting addition.
McCarthy: Public Consultation Crucial for Cork Draft Bus Network Redesign, 6 November 2021
Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has welcomed the recent launch of the second round of public consultation for the Cork Draft Bus Network Redesign, but has asked the National Transport Authority to liase with the general public as much as possible, especially those who are currently regular bus journey users. The Network Design forms a core part of the overall BusConnects Cork Programme. This round of public consultation will be on the BusConnects Cork Draft New Bus Network.
In July 2021, the NTA held an initial public consultation on BusConnects Cork. The survey style consultation gave the people of Cork the opportunity to help shape a new bus network by providing views on a how a new network would best service everyone. There were almost 1,200 responses to the survey and many more engagements. These responses informed the design of a Draft New Bus Network for the Cork Metropolitan Area, which will now be published for review and feedback.
Cllr McCarthy noted: “The current use of public transport is only 5% of the overall modal movement within the city, which is very low compared to other cities of Cork’s size in western Europe. Bus Connects is very ambitious to raise the use of public transport. There are challenges – especially at certain times of the day there when it comes to dealing with traffic congestion, and hence at certain times of days, buses are late across many routes”.
Cllr McCarthy continued; “The ambition is great but it is also very important to reach out to existing bus consumers. I have already had bus users from Ballinlough to Douglas coming forward to me with concerns and suggestions. I would also ask regular bus users to have a close look at the Cork Draft New Bus Network. Informationcan now be found on the website www.busconnects.ie/busconnects-cork. I will be making my own submissions. If people wish me to raise their concerns as well, send me an email on kieran_mccarthy@corkcity.ie”
The consultation period for the BusConnects will run from Tuesday 2 November to Friday 10 December 2021. The consultation portal is available on the website and submissions can be made there. Seven Local Area Booklets are available on the website and will also be delivered to over 160,000 premises in the coming weeks. Virtual public meetings will take place via Zoom on Wednesday 17 November (@6.30pm), Wednesday 24 November (@1.30pm) and Tuesday 30 November (@6.30pm). Additional virtual events may be scheduled subject to interest. Further details as well as registration links can be found on the website.
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 4 November 2021
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town Article,
Cork Independent, 4 November 2021
Journeys to a Truce: The Case of Bere Island Internment Camp
November 1921 coincided with many stories appearing in newspapers such as the Cork Examiner on conditions and stories from the internment camps in the Cork area in Spike Island and in Bere Island. Such accounts are also carried in witness statements archived in the Bureau of Military History.
Bere Island prison camp was constructed by the British Authorities for convicted Republican prisoners in 1920. After they were transported to Spike Island, the camp became a War of Independence internment camp only between April and December 1921. At its peak, the Bere Island camp held 284 men across four large timber huts enclosed by a strong wire fence. Among them were Seán Collins, a brother of General Michael Collins, and Professor Alfred O’Rahilly who would later in time become President of University College Cork.
Today there is no trace of the camp and its buildings, but a plaque was unveiled at the site by members of the Bere Island Projects Group as part of National Heritage Week 2021, with a flag ceremony provided by the Defence Forces from Collins Barracks in Cork.
Bere Island Projects Group CLG also received funding from The Heritage Council’s Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2021 to produce a short film documenting the history of the camp. The film, which is hosted on YouTube, is entitled the Bere Island Internment Camp Film, and features historians Ted O’Sullivan and John Borgonovo. Ted and John provide great insights on the short film and it is very much worth having a look.
The camp was prisoner run and prisoner dominated. The camps were fully militarised under IRA control. The four huts had a number of prisoners in each hut and there was a command structure with a hut leader and each hut responded to a camp committee like a camp commandant. There were activities such as GAA matches and educational classes. For example, Alfred O’Rahilly gave lectures in French, in history, in maths and in Irish.
When the Truce was declared in July 1921, every Sunday the camp put on a variety show at the wired enclosure fence and all the locals came and sat on an embankment outside the prison and watched this. In return locals also held small performances.
There were a number of successful and attempted escapes from the camp. Denis Collins, Member of Ballinspittal Company, in the Bandon Battalion records one such incident in his Bureau of Military History witness statement (WS827). Denis transferred from Spike Island to Bere Island on 28 May 1921 on a British destroyer ship. He was allotted to one of the four huts. He noted that when the Truce came, nothing eventful happened on Bere Ireland for some months. He describes a very big compound with plenty of room for exercise. They were on the highest part of the island and had a great view of Bantry Bay and the mountains all around. The intelligence in the internment camp was in communication with the Volunteers on the mainland.
In October 1921, by arrangement with local sympathisers outside, Denis describes that five selected men succeeded in escaping while going down to bathe. They slipped away through the open door of a stable as the party passed through a farmyard, being shielded by tall men in front and rere. Denis relates: “They got to a dug-out prepared for them and after dark got away to the mainland by boat. The rest of the party proceeded on its way, enjoyed the dip and returned, no one being missed. Even that night when the British came into the huts every couple of hours to carry out the usual count, every bed was occupied apparently. Some of the sleepers were dummies”.
Next morning, however, Denis describes that at the count out in the compound there were five prisoners short. There was great fuss and confusion. The camp commandant at that time, named Captain Martin drew his revolver and ordered the prisoners into the huts so that a detailed and careful count could be made. They refused. He brought in a large party of troops and ordered them to fix bayonets. The whole party was ordered to advance on the prisoners but even this did not move them. Then the N.C.Os. were told to fix bayonets and one of them refused. The N.C.O refused several times and was marched off under arrest. The count that was carried out a second time still only disclosed that there were five prisoners missing and no satisfaction was got out of it by the British.
The camp in the autumn of 1921 also planned the digging of a tunnel of 100 yards from the hut Denis was in, under the wire, under a soldiers’ hut outside and past the guardroom – which would be concealed from the camp lights. Then the plan was to go down to the shore where boats would have come across from the Castletownbere side to take the escapees away.
Working in threes, and with a rough implement, which was sharpened in the camp’s own cookhouse, they dug from under the hut as arranged and across to under the hut where the soldiers were quartered. They thought they were discovered when one of us directly under the floor after coming up from our tunnel kicked the boards overhead. He describes; “All was silence in the soldiers’ hut and then we heard the sound of a bolt being drawn back in a rifle. We expected a shot through the floor any moment and then we heard the soldier bursting into song…Apparently, he was just cleaning his rifle and never heard the sound of the boot against the floor beneath”.
Denis and his comrades carried on with their tunnel until some days before they were released and then they were still 20 yards from the finish. They were released on 8 December 1921. A couple of days before this when it was decided to stop the tunnelling, once they heard about the release plans.
Caption:
1124a. Former site of Bere Island Internment Camp, present day (picture: Kieran McCarthy).