20 May 2010

                The Kinsale Road Landfill is probably one of the largest environmental projects in the country. To cap a landfill requires enormous effort and finance. In addition, we are lucky that here is Ireland’s next ‘Phoenix Park’ in the making. This site has and still continues to be a controversial site in terms of its functions and how it affects the well-being of the city and the future vision of the city. I have to say I was very excited to be able to walk around the area and especially to circle around the “forbidden area”, one of the last areas to be capped. I felt the car rally represented the first step in the making of a new amenity park. I know everyone was not for the rally but I have to say it was great to see so many people supporting Marymount Hospice and engaging (walking, sitting down, observing, photographing) with the first parts of an amenity park. Certainly history was in the making today. Well done to all involved.

The Darren Swanton Memorial Rallysprint took place today (Sunday the 30th of May)  at the Cork City Civic Amenity Centre on Kinsale Road . Organised and promoted by Cork Motor Club Ltd., in association with Cork City Council and the Bishopstown and District Lions Club, the event aimed to raise money for the Marymount Hospice.

Darren was a 30 year old member of the Cork Motor Club who died of cancer in Marymount in 2009. Taking place on the site of the former landfill on the Kinsale Road, the event saw around 100 cars participating on the day. The event also hosted a fun fair onsite and there was food outlets, merchandisers, etc., to give the day a real family feel.

This event was run subject to the permission of Cork City Council, the Gardai, Cork Fire Service and representatives of the HSE.