From funfair to unfair?

“When you see Piper's going up in the first week of May, it's like swallows in the spring, it's what signals the summer in Kinsale.”

Those were the words of Kinsale resident and Green Party representative Marc Ó Riain who is holding out hope that the iconic Piper’s Funfair will return to the town this summer as it has done for the past 90 years.

Last month, organisers were told by Cork County Council a bond of €60,000 must be paid in order to hold the funfair in its usual spot in the town car park which was recently tarmacked. Prior to the car park’s upgrade, the Piper family was not required to pay any fee for use of the previously gravelled space.

Cork County Council told organisers the purpose of the bond was to cover any repair costs should the new surface be damaged.

Locals are now concerned that the historic funfair may never return to the town.

Despite organisers offering to remove certain rides and put heavy protective mats down, the bond of €60,000 remains in place.

Brendan Piper, owner of Piper’s Funfair, also asked if a compromise could be met by halving the bond to €30,000 but this was also ruled out.

“It's been such a part of the community for 90 years, you've had multiple generations of kids going to Piper's,” said Mr Ó Riain.

In an effort to change Cork County Council’s mind, a community action group led by former Piper's worker Helen Hickey and Mr Ó Riain will hold a protest this Sunday at 2pm leaving from Short Quay in the centre of Kinsale town.

A similar protest was held last year in the town when hundreds turned out to demand the retention of Piper’s Showman’s Wagon in Short Quay, which the Council finally agreed to do.

“We're hoping there will be a good turnout, depending on the weather. Really it's just to show the Council that look, the community are behind this and we hope that the Council will see sense,” said Mr Ó Riain.

Since the news broke, a wave of comments have poured in on the Kinsale Notice Board Facebook page.

One person wrote: “Very sad for the locals of Kinsale. All our childhood memories of going to Piper’s and bringing our own kids.”

Another wrote: “The merries is the life and soul of Kinsale in the summer. Even to drive down into the town and look across the water, seeing it lit up and looking so inviting – it brings a vibrancy to the to the town that is incomparable to our other offerings.”