Submission to Cork County Council Development Plan

The revised County Development Plan is being discussed during March 2004.

May 2000

MUINTIR BHAIRE OR SHEEPS HEAD PENINSULA.

Contents:

1. Background Information
2. Local Initiatives
3. Recent Survey
4. Future Prospects
5. Community Council Members

This peninsula is the smallest of the West Cork peninsulas. It is fifteen (15) miles long and two (2) to three (3) miles wide. It is bounded by Bantry Bay on the north and Dunmanus Bay on the south. It's eastern boundary is the village of Durrus. The northern side is mostly rocky with high cliffs and rugged rough ground. There are no villages or any large farms on this side of the peninsula.

The southern side has the area’s only village, Kilcrohane. To the east of Kilcrohane is Ahakista, the only other area in the peninsula which has a concentration of population. The few larger farms in the area lie on the southern side of the peninsula.

The total population is five hundred and fifty five (555). There are four hundred and fifty two households in the peninsula. Of these one hundred and fifty four (154) are "Holiday homes".

The area is entirely rural and the principle occupation is farming. Tourism is increasing but is still not a big source of income. The vast majority of those not engaged in either farming or tourism travel to work outside the area.

Local Facilities:

There is a Bus Eireann bus service on one day a week (currently on a trial basis). There are three (3) small shops between Kilcrohane and Ahakista. A Southern Health Board Medical Centre is serviced on one day a week. Cork County Council provide a library service once a fortnight.

There is no hotel, bank or Garda barracks in the area. There are no public toilets in Kilcrohane village. In a decile deprivation score (Bantry Intergrated Development Group 1996) the area was ranked "most disadvantaged". A once thriving potato growing Co-Op .has ceased trading. An associated daffodil growing Co-Op. has become defunct. The road network consists of badly surfaced unclassified roads.

There are several local organisations striving to improve conditions and quality of life in the peninsula. Over the years these organisations have provided a children’s playground and run successful "Carnival weeks" and Regattas as well as local concerts and a "Senior Citizen "annual outing. A Community Alert Group also operates in the area. "Tidy Towns" competitions have been also entered.

In late 1998 it was felt that if one properly organised, well-funded group was formed to cover all areas of activity in the area it would be advantageous.

In March 1999 a COMMUNITY COUNCIL was formed.

For the purpose of forming this organisation the area was divided into ten "Constituencies" of roughly fifty persons. Each "Constituency" would elect, by secret ballot, two persons to the Council.

The Community Council held it’s first meeting in April 1999. It’s first priority was to establish the needs of the residents. A "Needs Survey" was instigated. The first ten "Needs" were as follows:

1. Road improvements
2. Local job creation
3. Public toilets
4. Housing for lone elderly
5. Bus service improvement
6. Restaurant
7. Traffic calming measures
8. Sports facilities
9. Boating Marina at Ahakista
10. Potato Co-Op revived.

The Community Council formed sub-committees to deal with these "Needs". Some of the results to date are given below.

1. Roads - Cork County Council (C.C.C, ) officials were met and we were informed that, due to lack of funding, it would be at EIGHT years before substantial road improvements could be commenced. The Community Council then agreed with the C.C.C. that if the Community Council undertook to do the work themselves, i.e. get agreement with the owners of land where bad corners needed to be removed, hire machinery etc., the C.C.C. would reinstate the fencing. This is presently being undertaken.
2. Job Creation - The local job sub-committee examined the lack of jobs locally and concluded that as there was very little unemployment, there was little that could be done just now. Apart from the farmers, all others have to travel outside the area. The sub-committee suggested that "Tele-working" should be investigated.
3. Public Toilets - The toilets sub-committee are at present seeking a site for a public toilet in Kilcrohane village. A public toilet site at Tooreen, at the western end of the peninsula, is undergoing planning permission. This area is extremely remote and is near the half-way stage of the "Sheep's Head Way" (See later).
4. Housing for lone elderly persons - This is being considered by the relevant sub-committee. The lack of a suitable site is again a major factor. Obviously, this housing scheme needs be near what ever amenities are available. This, of course, means that a suitable site is expensive. The sub-committee is at the moment negotiating with C.C.C. for part of a site that the C.C.C. have purchased for a council housing scheme.
5. Bus Service - For some years Bus Eireann had provided a once weekly bus service to the nearest town, Bantry, on a Saturday .The Community Council, after a long and hard campaign succeeded in getting this changed to a Friday service. This however is on a temporary basis. The Community Council intends to resist any change back to a Saturday service.
6. Restaurant - The provision of a restaurant in the area is thought to be outside the remit of the Community Council. However a house bequeathed to the community is presently being considered as a possible location for a café. This could be used to provide funding for local projects of the Community Council.
7. Traffic calming measures - Measures such as "thirty mile an hour" signs or ramps in the Kilcrohane and Ahakista areas have been rejected by the C.C.C.
8. Sports Facilities - The provision of sports facilities has been helped by a grant secured by Kilcrohane Development Association. A playing field is being laid out at the moment
9. Boating Marina at Ahakista - The provision of a marina at Ahakista is thought to be a commercial project but is being pursued.
10. Potato Co-Op. - This Co-Op has not functioned for some years. At its prime it produced some of the earliest "New" potatoes in the country. Due to many factors, the building in which the grading and packing of the potatoes took place, no longer belongs to the Co-Op. This building is in need of much renovation at the present time.

In the mid nineties the idea and the implementation of this fine tourist attraction occurred. A sign posted walk of fifty-five miles covering all types of terrain is proving to be a major tourist attraction. People from all over the continent of Europe have come to the area as a result of the provision of this facility. Many tributes have been paid to the Sheep’s Head Way Development Committee, a wholly voluntary group, for their efforts.

The Community Council, in April 2000, conducted a survey of the area. The following results were obtained:

1. There are 412 adults living in the area (This is the area about which the Community Council has "Jurisdiction")
2. There are 143 children in the area
3. This makes a total of 555 persons.
4. 53% of the adults of the area are over 50 years of age.
5. Of the 452 houses in the area 34% are holiday homes.
6. There is NO all-year-round accommodation in the peninsula, apart from self-catering.
7. There are 5 part-time "Bed and Breakfast establishments.
8. There are 35 Self-Catering houses available.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that the Muinitr Bhaire peninsula needs speedy and large investment of assistance and finance. Apart from those items on the "Needs" survey, and these are of vital importance, Farming and Tourism need very urgent attention. Without immediate investment the whole area will stagnate. The fact that everyone who is employed (aside from those who farm) have to travel outside the area to work (a minimum of a thirty-five mile round trip) shows the urgent necessity of local job creation. Teleworking would be one answer to this problem.

The fact that there is only a "Handful" of farmers with holdings large enough to provide a meaningful living is an indictment on present policy.

The lack of all-year-round tourist accommodation means that the short Summer season will never be sufficient to generate a viable income to those attempting to make a living from tourism.

Other items that require attention are the revival of old crafts - the area was once famous for it’s lacemaking, a Heritage / Tourist Centre, improved Signposting to historical/archaeological sites and Youth facilities.

Arundel Frank, Rushnachara, Ahakista 027-67043 Hon.Tres.

Arundel Frank Jumior, Rushnachara, Ahakista 027-67043

Barry Jenny, Reenmore, Kilcrohane 027-67051

Daly Noreen, Knockroe, Kilcrohane 027-67000 Assistant Sec.

Hegarty Agnes, Hillcrest, Ahakista 027-67045

Hegarty Mary Ahakista 027-67267

Hegarty Tadg Ahakista 027-67267 V-Chairperson

Holland Norma Glenlough, Bantry 027-61059

McCarthy Ann, Paddock, Kilcrohane 027-67035

McCarthy Charles, Seamount, Glenlough, Bantry 027-61226

Nash Michael, Doomnea, Kilcrohane 027-67257 P.R.O.

O’Brien Marian, Doonore, Glenlough, Bantry 027-67165

O’Donovan Kieran, Kealties, Durrus 027-61093

O’Donovan Mary B. Gloun, Kilcrohane 027-67155

O’Mahony Brendan, Raferigeen. Kilcrohane 027-67095

O’Mahony Eileen, Lower Letter, Kilcrohane 027-67007 Assistant Tres.

Spillane Elaine, Bayview Bar, Kilcrohane 027-67068

Tobin Jack,Lower Ballyreigh, Kilcrohane 027-67136

Walsh Bob, Farranamanagh, Kilcrohane 027-67070 Chairperson

Whitty Suzanne,Kealties, Durrus 027-61052

Crowley Rev.Liam, Parochial House,Durrus 027-61013

McCarthy Margaret, Farranamanagh, Kilcrohane 027-67103 Hon. Secretary

O’Donovan Peter, Farranamanagh, Kilcrohane 027-67069