Bere Island off west Cork celebrated its first official presidential visit recently when President Mary McAleese opened a heritage centre which was built last year after years of campaigning for funding by locals. President McAleese congratulated the 200-strong community at Bere Island for its determination in obtaining funding for the project, saying the building was a monument to their initiative. Since the centre opened last year it has become an important reference, meeting and information point for islanders and visitors to the island. The centre has a craft shop and cafe with internet access, as well as an exhibition space, meeting room and conference facilities.

Cllr Kieran McCarthy is calling for suggestions from the general public for a similar initiative to be carried out in Cork City’s south east. He notes: “The Bere Island Heritage Centre is a blueprint for celebrating and and preserving the rich stories that are inherent in our communities. There is an opportunity for a team of people to research the rich heritage and identity of the area and present it to the general public. The south east ward has enormous potential with a myriad of fascinating histories such as the industrial heritage of the docklands, to the former market gardens of Ballinlough to the rich architectural heritage of Ballintemple to the story of the fishing village in Blackrock, to the story of the big estates that once existed in Mahon to the story of Douglas, its woollen mills and community – and all the various community stories inbetween and much more. Our heritage is an aspect that is not only important to the aesthetics of our community but also to our sense of identity. We need to mind it”.