Today Minister Eamonn Ryan recently attended a virtual Special Meeting of Cork City Council’s Roads, Transportation and Mobility Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) where he outlined central government’s commitment to the Cork Metropolitan Area Transportation Strategy (CMATS) 2040.
In his intervention to Minister Ryan, Member of the SPC Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy noted:
“It is important that Ireland’s second city gets the full CMATS project across the line – that it just doesn’t become another report collecting dust on a shelf. We cannot go on to have 70% of commuters arriving into the city utilising private cars or have trucks going through our city’s city centre because of a lack of options.”
“Cork City Council must remain as a strong partner in delivery of CMATS.There is an ambition at national level but it is also important to note Cork City Council’s ambition for its citizens and indeed our frustration on the ground when there is only a narrow bank of funding available at national level, and our complete dependency on such funds due to a lack of funds at local level”.
“When thinking about the delivery of CMATS, linkages also need to be promotedsuch as between sustainable housing development and public transport, air quality control, and the continuing importance to keep bringing a wide range of stakeholders around the table – silos need to be broken and linkages and building partnership capacity encouraged”.
“There is also a larger amount of work required to access funding from larger financial tools. The cost to deliver CMATS is far beyond the resources of Cork City Council and Cork County Council – both face vast cut-backs in this COVID and in the post COVID world – we also don’t have the localised funding in our budgets to bring about the significant behavioural change and infrastructure that needed. But we do have the expertise to implement projects on the ground”.
“I would ask of the Minister to explore the future role of expanding government’s Urban Regeneration Development Funds, the role of investment packages from the European Investment Bank, and even the role of the new Green Deal funds from European Regional Development Funds package”, concluded Cllr McCarthy.
Cork Metropolitan Area Transportation Strategy (CMATS) 2040
1072a. Lord Mayor Terence MacSwiney, Spring–Summer 1920 (source: Cork City Library).
Kieran’s Our City, Our Town Article,
Cork Independent, 29 October 2020
Remembering
1920: Terence MacSwiney’s Return to Cork
Once St George’s Cathedral at Southwark, London opened
its doors on Thursday 28 October, tens of thousands flocked in to see Terence
MacSwiney’s body. Many were Irish or of Irish extraction. Mass was fixed for
11am, which was a ticketed affair. Police had to link arms to prevent those
with no tickets from pushing their way in. Six men wearing long coats presented
tickets to the policemen and once inside took their coats off to reveal that
the green unformed members of the IRA. They replaced their colleagues as the
honour guard by the coffin. Muriel was too sick to attend or to travel back to Ireland.
Two of Terence’s sisters Margaret and Kit (both nuns) did not make it from
America or Tokyo respectively.
After the Requiem, the procession of the coffin on the
horse-drawn hearse, which was almost a mile long – began for Euston Station.
Terence’s two brothers and two sisters reached Euston Station at 4.30pm. On
arrival at the station, the siblings were informed the train was due to leave
at 4.45pm. They had arranged to travel by the 6.20pm train. After they had
accompanied Terry’s body to a good’s carriage van they hurried down the
platform to their carriage. Without notice, the train changed to be a special
train to leave at 6pm. The train was also crowded with police in every carriage.
A train guard came to family friend Art O’Brien and said
the police Inspector wished to speak to him. The inspector was looking for
Muriel and noted that he had a communication for her but could not make it
until they had passed Crewe.
Soon after Crewe the Inspector visited the MacSwiney
delegation again and gave a letter from Chief Secretary for Ireland Thomas Hamar-Greenwood,
addressed to Muriel. Opening it they found a copy of a letter addressed to the
Press to the effect that, owing to a possibility of trouble, the Government had
ordered that the remains should go straight to Cork. They were utterly taken
aback and began to lecture them on their duty to the dead and the sacredness of
the dead. The family noted that the Lady Mayoress was in London and they could
take no decision without consulting her, and that the coffin should remain in
Holyhead while someone went back to lay the facts before her. The request was
turned down and the transport of the body continued to the English coast bound
for Cork.
The train reached Holyhead, about midnight. The family
had arranged that all should go at once to the van where Terry’s body lay. The
train stopped at the town station, and it was there the SS Kenmare, was
immediately waiting to depart. Family friend Art O’Brien produced the contract
of the railway to take Terence’s body via Kingstown, to Cork, and he ordered
them to carry it out. The stationmaster said he would go to the telephone, but
the police inspector had a talk with him and said it was a Government order, that
he should not carry out the contract.
Subsequently the family joined hands around the coffin
but the door near the coffin was opened and railwaymen came in and took away
the wreaths, while police and Black and Tans and ordinary military lined the
platform. The family did not try to prevent them taking the wreaths. The
railwaymen came towards the coffin and, almost in unison, they all said: “Don’t
dare touch that coffin, we forbid you to touch it”. On that, they all left
the van and said to the police: “We are forbidden to touch the coffin”. On
that, the police rushed forward, pushed the family to one side and away from
the coffin and surrounded it. The coffin was lifted out of the van and onto the
steamer, the HMS Rathmore leaving the family on the quayside looking on.
The MacSwiney family were forced to get the train for
Holyhead and get a separate steamer there. The journey to Dún Laoghaire was
quiet. On Friday 29 October they assisted at High Mass for Terence in Dublin
without the coffin present. After the Mass, the family delegation went in
funeral procession behind the empty hearse that Terence’s body should have lain
in to Kingsbridge. They left for by train for Cork at 2pm.
Meanwhile back in Cork, within four hours of Terence’s
death, large written notices were erected outside the Offices of the Cork
Examiner and Cork City Hall, which caused a thrill of sorrow throughout the
city. By mid-morning the streets of Cork were filled with people who wore
Republican rosettes with black crepe. The Municipal and Harbour Board flags
flew at half-mast, and most of the city’s establishments had their premises
partly shuttered. Most of the ships in the harbour had their flags at
half-mast. All public functions were cancelled, and theatres and other such
amusement spaces closed.
A special meeting of Cork Corporation was convened where
councillors expressed their condolences and raw emotion at losing the City’s
Lord Mayor. The Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Donal Óg O’Callaghan issued the
following statement, decrying that despite Terence’s death, the merit of
Republicanism will still linger and pass on:
“In the short interval since his imprisonment, while I have been
temporarily taking his place, I have received notices of official origin
threatening me with a similar end. The only message that I on behalf of the
Republicans of Cork give today over the corpse of the late Lord Mayor is that
Cork has definitely not yielded its allegiance to the Republic, that the people
of Cork will continue that allegiance unswervingly and that those of us who man
the Municipal Council will attempt as far as us lies to follow the noble and
glorious lead of the two martyred Republican Magistrates. The Republican hold
on the Municipal Chair of Cork ceases only when the last Republican in Cork has
followed Tomás MacCurtain and Terence MacSwiney into the Grave. Death will not
terrorise us”.
Captions:
1072a.
Lord Mayor Terence MacSwiney, Spring–Summer 1920 (source: Cork City
Library).
1072b. Invite to funeral of Terence MacSwiney at Southwark Cathedral, London 28 October 1920 (Cork Public Museum).
1072b. Invite to funeral of Terence MacSwiney at Southwark Cathedral, London 28 October 1920 (Cork Public Museum).
Independent Cllr
Kieran McCarthy has asked that a historic archway belonging to one of Cork’s
oldest firms be removed from its hidden corner and get more public prominence
in the public realm to reflect its stature, history and design. The 1779
archway was once part of the entrance door to one of Cork’s oldest firms John Daly
& Co Mineral Water Manufacturers on Kyrl’s Quay.
Cllr McCarthy
noted: “The year 1779 was the foundation of their company. The archway may not
date to 1779 but may have been a later addition to the company’s premises
celebrating its earlier origins. In 1991-3 as part of the development of North
Main Street Shopping Centre the archway was placed at the back of an apartment
block built next to it. It now lys in the
public realm of Cork City Council.
“In 1915, John Daly and Co. were also the original creators of the well-known
Tanora brand. At that time, Temperance groups lobbied manufacturers of Lemonade
such as John Daly’s to produce another popular non-alcoholic drink. Tanora was
created through the importation of tangerine oranges”.
“Fifty years ago, Daly’s owned Kyrl’s Quay Bonded Warehouses and the
Victoria Hotel in Cork. Five decades ago Daly’s also bought the total issued
share capital of Coca Cola Bottling (Dublin). They had the Coca Cola franchise
for Munster which gave Daly’s extensive interests in the Irish market for soft drinks. However, it
was a Munster Coca Cola bottling company that eventually bought out the company”.
Cllr Kieran
McCarthy continued: “The archway is certainly a beautiful creation and deserves
a more visual presence in the public realm. It is a real shame to see bins and rubbish
piled high against it daily. It is in a very narrow and hidden corner, which
doesn’t do its elaborateness any justice.
In a report to Cllr McCarthy at the recent South Central Local Area Committee, the City Council’s Conservation Officer proposes to prepare a report for the next meeting which will examine the history and background to the siting of the doorcase in this location and make recommendations following an assessment of the implications of re-locating it, including the identification of suitable types of sites. Once Councillors have an opportunity to decide on the most appropriate action for the protection and enhancement of the doorcase, they will liaise with the relevant operational sections of the City Council to progress the matter.
1779 Archway insitu, mid twentieth century (picture: Cork City Library)
Cork Examiner Ad, 1915 announcing the launch of Tanora by John Daly & Co.
Independent Councillor Kieran McCarthy wishes to
remind the public on the public consultation, which remains open till 2
November for proposals by Cork City Council to continue restricting vehicular
access to The Marina. The proposal is to close the Marina to cars 24 hours per
day, 7 days per week, from its junction with the northern entrance of
Páirc Uí Chaoimh to its junction with Church Avenue.
Cllr McCarthy noted: “To open up public consultation on the pedestrianisation of The Marina is very welcome. Up to this year and for many years previously, the pedestrianisation process had been a goal of local councillors and many local residents, and in fairness to Roads officials and the Director of Operations they have responded to public calls”.
Cllr McCarthy continued: “During Covid-19 lockdowns, the
pedestrianisation of the road as a temporary measure was the life-saver for
many people who needed the outlet to walk and just take time-out during the 2km
and 5km restrictions. I have had much correspondence by locals and other
Corkonians calling for the continuance of the pedestrianisation beyond the
phase 1 temporary measures. Many have emphasised to me the importance of this historic
tree-lined avenue to public health and recreational use. However, I have also
received correspondence from those who wish to tweak some of the parts of the
pedestrianisation proposals. It is important that everyone gets their voice
heard on the future of the Marina”.
Submissions on the proposal may be
made via this online consultation portal, https://consult.corkcity.ie/. Alternatively, the documents will be made
available for inspection by appointment at Reception Desk, Cork City Council,
City Hall, Cork to Monday 2 November 2020 from 9am to 4.30pm. Please phone
021-4924000 in advance to arrange an appointment. Representations may be
also be made in writing to “Senior Executive Engineer, Traffic Operations, Room
339, City Hall, Cork”. The closing date for
receipt of submissions is on or before 5pm on Monday 2 November 2020.
Marina, Cork, October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy)
Beaumont Park, Cork, 25 October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy) Beaumont Park, Cork, 25 October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy) Beaumont Park, Cork, 25 October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy) Beaumont Park, Cork, 25 October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy)
Terence MacSwiney, 1920 )picture: Cork City Library)
This week, Cork remembers the centenary of martyred Lord Mayor Terence MacSwiney. A colossus in Cork history Terence has attracted many historians, enthusiasts and champions to tell his story. His story is peppered with several aspects – amongst those that shine out are his love of his family, city, country, social bonds, language, comradeship, and hope – all mixed with pure tragedy.
In many ways, the end of his 74 day hunger strike changed the future public and collective memory narrative of Cork history forever. Each generation since his death has marked his contribution, reflected on its history, and have made sure that his memory will not be forgotten about and that his legacy will live on.
In our time, never
before have ideas such as social bonds, family, comradeship and hope being so
important as we journey through our challenging COVID times. There is much to
learn from Cork 100 years ago and from some of the positive characteristics of
society that imbued such a time.
One aspect, which is
most welcome in 2020, is the continuous local history writing of new angles on
the lives and experiences of those involved with the Independence struggle. The
city is blessed with historians who spend each year retelling the story of the
war but who also go out into communities and local schools, refreshing the
stories amongst the older community and engaging the next generation.
Such latter scholars
are also pushing for more scholarship on the time. There is still much
work to be done in mining into Terence’s key works, his writings,
perceptions and learning from his legacy. His book Principles of
Freedom inspired many to rise up against British control in the
late 1920s and 1930s. He was also a playwright, poet, founder of the Cork
Dramatic Society with another of Cork’s famous literary sons Daniel
Corkery. Terence wrote five plays with themes around revolution, democracy and
freedom. Terence McSwiney was also a son, a husband, a father and a brother.
The journey his relatives had to go through during his hunger strike also need
to be explored more. The story of his sisters and their involvement in the
local Cumann na mBan with the Cork Cumann’s story being told more and more, and
this is most welcome.
Terence was also a proud Corkonian. His speech, when
elected Lord Mayor on 30 March 1920, made reference to Cork’s place as one of
Ireland’s first cities – indeed his call to work together for Cork’s
advancement is one, which transcends every Corkonian generation and ever more
important in the times we find ourselves in the at the moment; “Our spirit is but to be a more lively manifestation of the
spirit in which we began the year to work for the city in a new zeal…to bring
by our administration of the city glory to our allegiance, and by working for
our city’s advancement with constancy in all honourable ways in her new dignity
as one of the first cities of Ireland, to work for, and, if need be, to die
for”.
I have been blogging
about the centenary of the War of Independence in Cork in 1920 on my website at
www.corkheritage.ie, which contains links to my newspaper articles and
pictures. My work attempts to provide context to this pivotal year in Cork’s
history. My blog pieces also explores Cork in 1920 and how the cityscape
was rapidly becoming a war zone. Risky manoeuvres by the IRA created even
riskier manoeuvres as ultimately the IRA took the war to the RIC and Black and
Tans. Reading
through local newspapers each day for 1920 shows the boiling frustration between
all sides of the growing conflict. Tit-for-tat violence became common place.
Earlier this year I
released a new book Witness to Murder, The Inquest of Tomás MacCurtain with
John O’Mahony. The last time Tomás’s inquest in full was published was in
the Cork Examiner between 23 March 1920 and 18 April 1920.
Despite the ordeal and daily fallout from the interviews, over time the
fourteen hearing sessions have not overly been revisited by scholars of the
Irish War of Independence. The verdict has been highlighted on many occasions
by many historians, but the information of the inquest has never been overly
written about or the narratives within it explored.
What I have learned so
far through my journey trying to understand the War of Independence in Cork is
that the narrative is not black and white – it’s not a full on “them versus us”
narrative – but very nuanced with all those involved living in a
small city, where everyone knew each other – where harsh decisions on life and
death needed to be made.
The public
commemoration of the centenary of Terence MacSwiney may be lessened due to
COVID this year. But there is an onus on all those who have championed his
story to reflect this week on his sacrifice and also on the men and women, who
fought for Irish Independence one hundred years ago. Many put their lives on
the line and many were killed for what they believed in. Each one of their
stories is an important one. Terence and Tomás MacCurtain may be the duo who
annually receive much attention in our city but I have seen through my
engagement in local communities the many War of Independence medals in personal
collections, which are treasured, and the many stories still waiting to be
told. There is still much work to do to try to understand Cork and Ireland of
1920, which defined how Cork and indeed Ireland approaches its national history
narrative in the present day and going into the future.
The voices of those who
were on the frontline of the War of Independence must not be forgotten but
learned from – they all add up to the sense of pride amongst its public have
but also to the many complexities and nuances of the history of our southern
capital, and what makes it lovingly tick – with all its positives and ongoing
challenges.
Cllr Kieran McCarthy is a local historian and is an
Independent member of Cork City Council. His heritage website is
www.corkheritge.ie
Japanese Gardens, Ballinlough, 22 October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy) Japanese Gardens, Ballinlough, 22 October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy) Japanese Gardens, Ballinlough, 22 October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy) Japanese Gardens, Ballinlough, 22 October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy) Japanese Gardens, Ballinlough, 22 October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy) Japanese Gardens, Ballinlough, 22 October 2020 (picture: Cllr Kieran McCarthy)
