Cllr Kieran McCarthy has welcomed the sponsorship by Coillte of new native saplings at the Blackrock Castle Walkway. Cllr McCarthy remarked: “In total this year, up to 1,200 trees were planted by Cork City Council Operations (Parks) this year. Cork Chamber are sponsoring another 200 of the 1,200 native trees being planted this year and have committed to at least two more years of sponsorship at €3,000k per year. This is a very generous contribution as it assists with increasing tree cover throughout the City”.
Outgoing Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Joe Kavanagh said: “The Coillte trees planted are a representation of all primary and secondary schools in Cork City and speak to our past, present and future. The Lord Mayor’s Oak Tree Initiative 2021 symbolises the resilience, sustainability and growth synonymous with our schools”.
Coillte Supply Chain Manager, Dominic Joyce said: “Coillte is delighted to support such initiatives as they inspire future generations and increase awareness of the important role that trees play in mitigating climate change, improving habitats, increasing biodiversity and providing sustainable and renewable building materials. We are delighted to be associated with the Lord Mayor’s initiative to commemorate the independence struggle 100 years ago in this novel and environmentally friendly way”.
Saplings were also planted Glen River Park, Bridevalley Park, and the Curraheen Walkway. Plaques have been installed near the new trees and a QR code will direct people to the Cork City Council commemorations site, www.corkcitycommemorations.ie where further details of the initiative will appear.
In mid-June 1921 Seán Healy, Captain of A Company, 1st
Battalion, Cork Brigade No.1, was elated at the prospect of bringing off a successful
ambush against crown forces. He had plans completed for a large ambush on a
patrol of Black and Tans whose daily beat brought them through Silversprings
Lane in Tivoli. About thirty fully armed Black and Tans passed through it every
evening. The Company considered this lane as an ideal place for an ambush. The
hills on both sides were heavily wooded, which would provide ample cover for the
men. A-Company company were only awaiting sanction from their Brigade Officer-in-Command.
However, events did go according to plan.
In his Bureau of Military History witness statement
(WS1479), Seán recalls that at 11am on the morning of 14 June, Seán was in the
Parcels Office at the Glanmire Station (now Kent Station) when two British
Intelligence officers, in mufti, entered and he was trapped and arrested. He
notes of his arrest: “I had no way of escape, being taken unawares. The railway
station had been surrounded by military and police. I was placed under arrest
and marched from the station to the nearby Black and Tan Barracks at Empress
Place, under a heavy escort. When climbing the long flight of stone steps
leading from the Lower Road to Empress Place, I felt that my race was run…It
was obvious that I was in for a rough time. Heavy fighting was taking place in
most parts of the country at that time. The enemy was being attacked on all sides.
The Dublin Custom House was burnt down a short time previously. The temper of
the Crown forces was very high”.
When Seán was taken into the police barracks he was
handed over to the Black and Tans by the military, as a temporary arrangement –
the British Intelligence Officer Lieutenant Dove remarking that he would call
back him back later. Seán was pushed into an office and the sergeant insitu
demanded his name and address. Seán gave him the required information and his
particulars were recorded. The sergeant then ordered two of his men to search Seán.
They removed his coat, vest and shoes.
Seán remarks of being interrogated: “We had strict orders
from G.H.Q. to remain silent during interrogations and to refuse to recognise
the enemy Courts. Next questions were: “Are you a member of the I.R.A.? Another
one of the Murder Gang? Where were you born? How old are you? What occupation
do you hold? Where does your father reside? Knowing that the military officers
were calling back for me again, I played for time and informed the interrogators
that I would not answer any questions until my solicitor was present”.
Seán
was then handcuffed and removed to a military lorry which was waiting outside
and was conveyed to Victoria Military Barracks. Before leaving Empress Place,
the military took possession of Seán’s belongings, which had been taken from him
by the police. The lorry halted outside the main gates of the military barracks
which were then opened by a sentry and Seán’s lorry was admitted. All alighted
from the lorry and an orderly wrote down the usual particulars.
Sean was then un-handcuffed and escorted to the
Intelligence Office: He remarks: “I was again searched and subjected to an
interrogation by three Intelligence officers. Your name? Your address? Your
occupation? Are you a Sinn Féiner? Did you take part in any of the attacks against
our forces? What do you know about Sinn Féin dispatches being sent on railway
trains? What business had you and three other Sinn Féiners outside the Cork
University at 9am on a certain morning? etc, etc”.
The Intelligence Officer had information that Seán was
prominent in Cork IRA Brigade No.1 and that he held the rank of an officer. It
now became quite clear to Seán that a spy had given information against him. He
again claimed privilege not to answer any questions until his solicitor Mr.
Healy, solicitor, South Mall was present.
Seán was abruptly told that this was a military inquiry and
under Martial Law they had a means of making him talk. The interrogation lasted
about half an hour. After leaving the Intelligence Office, Seán was taken to a prison
cell where he was kept in solitary confinement for three days and nights. The
weather was exceptionally warm so that bed clothes did not bother him. The only
ventilation in the cell was a small window, which was about ten feet from the
ground and strongly protected with iron bars. The only furniture in the cell
was the plank bed on which there was one army blanket.
A notice was crudely hand-printed on the wall over the
cell door – “All who enter here are doomed men”. This was evidently done for a
joke by some of the soldiers who were guarding the prison. Seán describes that
he slept very little on those nights; “I was expecting visits from the
Intelligence officers, who frequently took out their prisoners during the late
hours for further interrogations, but for some inexplicable reason they did not
interfere with me at night. The thought of the ordeals that confronted me did
not help to induce sleep. Realising that if any of the various charges which
could be brought against me were proved, torture, the firing squad, then the
release by death, would be my end, I prayed that I would be strong enough to
stand up to them all”.
To
be continued next week…
Captions:
1103a. Empress Place, Former Black and Tan
Barracks 1921, Summerhill North, present day (picture: Kieran McCarthy).
Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy will host three events for the upcoming Cork Harbour Festival. Two of the events focus on the rich history of the city’s bridges and the third focuses in on the history and sense of place on The Marina. The events and dates are as follows:
– Bridges of Cork, Online Talk by Kieran, Tuesday 8 June 2021, 7.30pm-8.30pm, FREE:
This zoom presentation explores the general development of the city’s bridges and why they were historically so important and are still so important in connecting the different parts of Cork City together. Details of the link for the talk are available at www.corkharbourfestival.com
– Bridges of Cork, Heritage Treasure Hunt, hosted by Kieran, Saturday 12 June 2021, 1pm, FREE, self-guided walk:
This treasure hunt is all about looking up and around and exploring the heart of Cork City whilst exploring the stories and place of the city centre’s bridges. Suitable for all ages, approx 2hr, with mixed footpaths on city’s quays.Meet Kieran at National Monument, Grand Parade, Cork, between 1pm-1.15pm on Saturday 12 June, to receive the self-guided treasure hunt pack, no booking required. Bring a pen.
– The Marina, Self Guided Audio Trail with Kieran, 4 June 2021 -14 June, FREE:
A stroll down The Marina is popular by many people. The area is particularly characterized by its location on the River Lee and the start of Cork Harbour. Here scenery, historical monuments and living heritage merge to create a rich sense of place. The audio tour will be available here to stream live on your smartphone from 4-14 June 2021. Details of the link for the audio trail are available at www.corkharbourfestival.com
In a recent reply to a question posed by Cllr Kieran
McCarthy at the mid May City Council meeting, Cork City Council have noted revised
the completion date of phase 1 of Marina Park. Due to Covid 19, delaying
construction works, the completion date is now late August/early September this
year. The revised opening date is late September/early October.
Cllr McCarthy noted: The phase one works comprise the construction of a
new public car park at the Shandon Boat Club end of the Marina, as well as a
new cycle lane and pedestrian walkway – these are all now completed. One can
also see that the installation of perhaps the most eye-catching part of the
project – a noticeable red steel pavilion on the site of, and replicating, the
central hall of the former Munster Agricultural Showgrounds. The sides of the
pavilion will not be enclosed, and there will be possibilities for coffee pods
and outdoor seating and arts and crafts”.
“Another feature will include water jets for children to play in as well
as the provision of public toilets. The
public can now see the sunken lawn areas and the diversion of a watercourse, as
well as new pathways – all of which are taking shape at present. The project is
a e.10m investment into the area, of which nearly came from EU Urban
Sustainable Funds, which are part of the EU’s structural funds and are a
crucial source of funding for cities”, concluded Cllr McCarthy.
Independent
Cllr Kieran McCarthy has called on the City Council and the ESB to work on a
joint programme of works to return the sub-station on Caroline Street to an art
gallery/ cultural space.’
The sub station
on Caroline Street is in the ownership of the ESB. Until recently the Sub
Station was advertised for Commercial Let. Cllr McCarthy has been informed that
Cork City Council does not have sight of the ESB’s plans for the building. And
that the wider needs in terms of cultural infrastructure in the city will be
reviewed in the context of the forthcoming Arts & Culture Strategy, currently
under development.
Cllr McCarthy
noted; “there is massive scope to do a joint partnership in re-opening the disused ESB substation as a cultural space.
It has a very rich industrial history. It was built in 1931 and was originally
used to convert direct current electricity to alternating current. This
substation is representative of the design employed by the ESB in the first
part of the twentieth century in Ireland.
“In 1932, the ESB
could boast cables running from Ardnacrusha Hydro Electric Station to Cork as
well as having the old generating station and offices at Albert Road, a Station
at Kilbarry, a transformer station at Fords, and the central substation in
Caroline Street. The annual consumption of electricity in Cork City was 8
million units by 1934 and 16 million units by 1945”.
“The
National Inventory of Architectural Heritage notes of this building: “This
functional building is a well-articulated building, with a high level of
architectural design. The building retains many interesting original features
and materials, such as the metal casement windows and metal folding doors”.
“It
is also ten years ago when the Triskel Arts Centre, whilst waiting for the
renovation of Christ Church, moved its gallery off site to the ESB
substation on Caroline Street and did a great job in utilising the space. In
addition, in 2018, Brown Thomas teamed up with Cork City Council and artist
Shane O’Driscoll to transform the exterior of the then disused ESB station
building which had fallen into disrepair. The City Centre Placemaking Fund from Cork City Council was
used to support the project”.
“It is a real shame that such a prominent building remains vacant with so many possibilities for its use. I will be continuing my lobbying of the City Council to partner up with the ESB in finding an appropriate cultural use for the building”, concluded Cllr McCarthy.
Press, 25 May 2021, “The abandoned substation has massive scope for transformation now that Cllr. Kieran McCarthy is urging the city council and ESB to turn it into a new entertainment venue for Leesiders. Originally built in 1931 in the art deco style favoured by ESB at the time, the substation was last used by Triskel Arts ten years ago”, Endless possibilities for this gem of a building on Caroline Street to be transformed as council consider new proposal, Derelict Art-deco substation could become amazing Cork city music and arts space – Cork Beo
Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has welcomed the conclusion of the
Douglas Flood Relief Scheme. “In the past two months, the contractor on the
Douglas Flood Relief Scheme has substantially completed all construction works
on the project. The remaining works consist of some minor snags, fence
installations and completion of final landscaping works”.
“What has emerged are enhanced recreational jewels in the heart of
Douglas Village with a larger focus on connecting The Mangala and Ballybrack
Woods across to Douglas Community Park. The flood prevention measures, which
have incorporated new seating and biodiversity areas and corridors, as well as
creating a stronger visual element upon the adjacent stream are most welcome”.
“It has been great in the past few weeks to see people sitting out
enjoying the new vistas and ultimately embracing an enhanced community space.
Great credit is due to Cork City Council, Arup Engineering and to the OPW. It
has been a long process over eight years from draft plans drawn up in
connection with Cork County Council to implementation under Cork City Council’s
watchful eye. In the past year, the advent of COVID also slowed down construction
work, which required much patience by the people
and businesses of Douglas”.
“There have also been status orange rainfall events in Cork, since the start of the year and the new flood defences in Douglas worked as expected and carried a huge volume of water through the village safely. From observations and experience on site it is believed that had the defences not been constructed, there would have been considerable flooding in the Ravensdale and Church Road area”, concluded Cllr McCarthy.