Category Archives: Ward Development

Cllr McCarthy Welcomes Funding for Junction at Our Lady of Lourdes School, Ballinlough, 16 February 2022

Improve Your Life, Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has welcomed the allocation by government of e.161,000 for a safety revamp of the junction Bellair Estate and Ballinlough Road, adjacent to Our Lady of Lourdes School. The sum came as part of a central government package of funding to Cork City Council as part of a Low Cost Safety Scheme for local road networks.

Cllr McCarthy highlights: “The corner of Old Lady of Lourdes National School is a blind corner and has many people crossing this dangerous stretch of road every day. Public safety has been a regular issue that local people have raised with me. With colleagues, it’s been a very long battle through many Council motions and debates at Council level to get funding in place for the revamp of the junction. I do think though that when the campaign to seek funding was ramped up last year by the local school community and residents in the local area, that it pushed the narrative strongly to central government to intercede, and finally deal with the large scale funding needed to meet the junction’s problems”.

“Over many years, I have received much correspondence and phone calls from people highlighting stories of near misses and outlining fears for themselves and in many cases, children living in the local area. It was people power, which drove the funding to be put in place. It is envisaged that the junction will be raised with pedestrian crossings. Ward Councillors do not have a design to show yet or a timeline for public consultation and construction, but we can now work on those aspects and through those aspects”, concluded Cllr McCarthy.

Cllr Kieran McCarthy at Bellair Junction, Mid February 2022
Cllr Kieran McCarthy at Bellair Junction, Mid February 2022

Cllr McCarthy: Grange Bridge construction is another game changer

Cork City Events, Improve Your Life, Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

Press Release:

Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has welcomed the start of the work on the pedestrian and cycle path and new bridge which will provide a safe, sustainable and alternative travel route between Grange and Tramore Valley Park and onwards to Douglas and the city centre.

Funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA), the kilometre-long pathway, which includes the construction of a new bridge over the N40 South Ring Road, will provide connectivity between Grange/Frankfield and the southern suburbs and will support residents, students and commuters to opt for active travel and thereby reduce traffic congestion. 

Cllr McCarthy noted: “The  path comes in from the Grange Road through what is known locally as the donkey field. The scheme will have a series of steps and ramps along the steeper section down through the valley until it reaches the bridge over the N40. On the other side of the bridge, there will be once again steps and a ramp into the Tramore Valley Park. The four metre wide pathway will also support people with mobility needs and will include environmentally sensitive public lighting”.

“The bridge is another game-changer, which will nicely open up Tramore Valley Park to the city’s southern ridges joining up the dots with amenities such as the Mangala walk and its future extensions upstream”, asserted Cllr McCarthy.

Site clearance works have already begun. To facilitate construction, it will be necessary to remove some trees and greenery on the site. Care has been taken during project design to minimise the impact on biodiversity. A native tree planting programme will also be undertaken at the site as part of the project and trees will also be offered to local community groups. 

Infrastructure Development Director of Services with Cork City Council, Gerry O’Beirne said: “ In line with the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy, this project will support residents, commuters and students to make more sustainable transport choices which will  help reduce car dependency and therefore traffic congestion in the city. The Grange – Tramore Valley Park path will also make walking or cycling more attractive and support people to easily and safely enjoy a more active lifestyle in their own community”. It is expected that works will be completed in early 2023.

Cllr McCarthy: Muga Plan for Ballinlough Welcomed, 29 February 2021

Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has welcomed the 2022 allocation from the City Council’s Sports and Amenity Fund. Ballinlough Community Park will get a multi-use games arena or ‘muga’ from the fund. Each local electoral area gets approx e30,000 to spend annually on sports equipment such as outdoor gyms or a muga. The grants scheme is in its second year.

Cllr McCarthy noted: “It is very positive news that rolling grants schemes are being created within the Council and aimed at recreational infrastructure such as outdoor gyms and mugas. There are also now more regular discussions to put funding aside to create new playgrounds and to add to the ones already in existence. Covid and its impact on Council income streams though has slowed down the ring fencing of finance”. 

Cllr McCarthy continued: “The details of the muga’s exact location in Ballinlough Park still has to be worked out, but funding is in place. It is a park, which offers a lot of views and trees, and the Faery trail, which need to be protected as well. The muga is something I have lobbied for, as have my other colleagues, over many years for the area. A muga for the area was one of my first motions way back in time”.

“As an additional note, it is also welcome that the 2021 sanctioned outdoor gyms from the City Council’s Sports and Amenity Fund are set to open at six city locations this April”, concluded Cllr McCarthy.

The six new callisthenics gyms will open on the Lough Mahon Amenity Walkway, in Clogheenmilcon, John O’Callaghan Park, Popham’s Park, Gerry O’Sullivan Park, and at Murphy’s Farm. The facilities will be similar to those existing in other areas of the city, such as in Tramore Valley Park and Harty’s Quay”.

Cllr McCarthy, Ward Funds 2022

Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

Cllr Kieran McCarthy is calling on any community groups based in the south east ward of Cork City, which includes areas such as Ballinlough, Ballintemple, Blackrock, Mahon, Douglas, Donnybrook, Maryborough, Rochestown, Mount Oval and Moneygourney with an interest in sharing in his 2022 ward funding to apply for his funds.


A total of E.11,000 is available to community groups through Cllr Kieran McCarthy’s Cork City Council ward funds. In general, contributions to groups range between e.150 to e.250 or slightly more depending on the project. Application should be made via email to Kieran at kieran_mccarthy@corkcity.ie or via letter (Richmond Villa, Douglas Road) by Friday 4 February 2022. This email or correspondence should give the name of the organisation, contact name, contact address, contact email, contact telephone number, details of the organisation, and what will the ward grant will be used for.


Ward funds will be prioritised to community groups who build community capacity, educate, build civic awareness and projects, which connect the young and old. Cllr McCarthy especially welcomes proposals where the funding will be used to run a community event that benefits the wider community. In addition, he is seeking to fund projects that give people new skill sets. That could include anything from part funding of coaching training for sports projects to groups interested in bringing enterprise programmes to encourage entrepreneurship to the ward.


Cllr McCarthy is also particularly interested in funding community projects such as those that promote the rich history and environment within the south east ward. More guidelines can be viewed under ward funds at his blog at www.kieranmcarthy.ie.

Kieran’s Submission, Odlum’s & R & H Hall Development, January 2022

Cork City Events, Cork History, Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

Director of Planning,

Planning and Development Directorate,
Cork City Council, City Hall,
Cork.

6 January 2022

Re: Planning Application at Odlum’s & R & H Hall, South Docks, 21/40702

http://planning.corkcity.ie/AppFileRefDetails/2140702/0

Dear Director,

I write to comment on the proposed development project at Odlums and at R & H Hall. In general, I welcome the strong financial investment into South Docks. For me, Odlums and R & H Hall are core structures, which anchor the docks area in a strong sense of place. Much of the area has seen demolition over the years leaving the latter two structures and the historic Ford compound being left as core historic structures on South Docks.

I wish to thank the developers of the proposed Odlums and R & H Hall site for their extensive history and environmental studies, that have been submitted with their proposal. I note that the Odlums buildings is to be restored and utilised, and that is to be encouraged and welcomed.

 Looking through the engineering study on the grain silos, I note and respect how the silos were constructed and acknowledge the weakness of the concrete and their many limitations for re-use. However, such is the striking nature of the silos on South Docks, I am still very disappointed that they, if planning is sanctioned, will be taken down, which ultimately will change the sense of place not just in that locale but across South Docks. And it is the change in the sense of place that is irking me.

In that light I would ask that if any part of these industrial ruins of the silos can be utilised or recycled or if any old industrial equipment is salvageable that it be used within any new building and as some kind of sculptural/infrastructure installation/s on the quayside. I would love if the design of the proposed “Silo” buildings – would reflect as much of the R & H Hall buildings as possible. I would like to advocate that the City Council’s Archaeologist and Heritage Officer, respectively, would work with the developer on keeping as much of the historic sense of place as possible.

Sincerely,

_________________

Cllr Kieran McCarthy

R & H Hall Grain Silos, Cork South Docks, present day (picture: Kieran McCarthy)
R & H Hall Grain Silos, Cork South Docks, present day (picture: Kieran McCarthy)

Kieran’s Question to CE and Motions, Cork City Council Meeting, 13 December 2021

Cork City Events, Cork History, Improve Your Life, Landscapes, S.E. Ward Local History, Uncategorized, Ward Development

Question to the CE: 

To ask the CE for an update on the opening of Marina Park and the final cost of its completion and the sources of funding? (Cllr Kieran McCarthy).

Motion:

That City Library’s Cork Past and Present website be put back together online as soon as possible. It plays a very supportive role in the study of local history and genealogy in the city and region (Cllr Kieran McCarthy). 

McCarthy: Marina Park set to open, 13 December 2021

Cork City Events, Cork History, Improve Your Life, Kieran's Council Work, Landscapes, S.E. Ward Local History, Uncategorized, Ward Development, Ward Events

Kieran’s Comments:

“The park looks great and will add immensely to The Marina district. It’s been a long two years with construction work stopping and starting due to Covid 19. Phase one works has also comprised 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 and are very well used”.

“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 showgrounds at its cultural height in the twentieth century attracted tens of thousands of people, who enjoyed what the Spring and Summer shows had to offer.

The new park is a modern offering on the site, which will attract citizens from across the city and region. The sides of the pavilion reflecting the society’s former buildings will not be enclosed, and there will be possibilities for coffee pods and outdoor seating and arts and crafts. The project is a e.10m investment into the area, of which nearly e.5m came from EU Urban Sustainable Funds, which are part of the EU’s structural funds and are a crucial source of funding for cities”. The EU source of income will need to be chased once again so that phase 2 of Marina Park can be delivered”, concluded Cllr McCarthy.

11 December 2021, ” “The new park is a modern offering on the site, which will attract citizens from across the city and region. The park or project represents an estimated €10m investment into the area, of which around €5m came from EU Urban Sustainable Funds — part of the EU’s structural funds and “a crucial source of funding for cities”, Cllr McCarthy said, New park in Cork city to open to the public from Monday, New park in Cork city to open to the public from Monday (echolive.ie)

McCarthy: Cork City Arts Strategy Open for Public Consultation, 27 November 2021

Arts, Cork City Events, Grants, Improve Your Life, Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy is calling upon the community and artistic sector across the city and especially in the south east to engage with the public consultation on the new Cork City Arts Strategy. The Arts Office of Cork City Council are now developing a new strategy to guide their work over the next five years. They want to ensure that arts and culture in Cork City is the very best it can be. To help them with thinking and planning, they would like to understand more about what people think and feel about arts and culture in Cork City now and to gather their hopes and ideas for the future. 

Cllr McCarthy noted: “Cork City Council has consistently invested in and supported the arts. There are many different tools at their disposal for the development of the arts. These include ideas generation, funding support, infrastructural support, resource and staffing support. Planning for the future, assessing the impact of our work to date and consolidating cultural infrastructure are all crucial elements to plan for going forward”.

“On Cork City’s public consultation portal under the survey section (www. consult.corkcity.ie/en/surveys) is a short survey and gives you the opportunity to share your views and inform what we do in the years ahead. The survey is confidential and contains short questions looking for public input. The survey will remain open until 6 December at 5pm”, concluded Cllr McCarthy.

Cllr McCarthy: Push to Phase out Herbicides in Public Areas

Cork History, Improve Your Life, Landscapes, Uncategorized, Ward Development

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.

McCarthy: Skehard Road Improvement Scheme Phase 3 Nearing Conclusion, 13 November 2021

Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

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”.