Calls to save historic Douglas Fingerpost

The future of an iconic and historically significant fingerpost in a Cork city suburb remains unclear as plans for new public transport infrastructure threaten to replace the roundabout it stands on with traffic lights.

The famous Douglas Fingerpost, which currently sits atop the Fingerpost Roundabout on the outskirts of Douglas village, dates back to the 18th century.

The fingerpost not only served historically as a means for pointing travellers in the right direction, but also as a gallows and a meeting point for hunts.

It is currently proposed that the Fingerpost Roundabout be converted to a signalised junction as part of the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) proposed BusConnects corridor linking Maryborough to the city centre.

Commenting on the site, Lord Mayor of Cork City and historian, Cllr Kiaran McCarthy, said: “The tale of the fingerpost itself is rooted in late 18th century as it was used as a directional function and as a hanging spot for a number of accused individuals, especially those connected to the United Irishmen.

“The original fingerpost was near by the current site on lower Maryborough Hill. Nevertheless, the cultural heritage of the fingerpost and its connection to the rich history of Douglas is very worthy of keeping. Douglas was a settlement crossroads and metaphorically a crossroads of industry and innovation when it comes to sailcloth and woollen products creation. I await the outcome of the third public consultation shortly,” added the lord mayor.

A spokesperson for Cork City Council confirmed that the outcome of the last round of public consultation on the proposed works has not yet been publicised by the NTA.

Michelle Cowhey Shahid, Sinn Féin's local election candidate for Cork City South East and a resident of Douglas, said it is vitally important that the Fingerpost be preserved in “some way shape or form” as part of the BusConnects plans.

She said: “There is nothing in the BusConnects plan about moving to another location. It was moved to the new roundabout when it was created. The BusConnects needs to commit to preserving the fingerpost and letting the community know if it is going to be moved, where will be it be located.”

Ms Cowhey Shahid added that, though she acknowledges the need to address traffic issues in the area, she fears that replacing the fingerpost roundabout with traffic lights would exacerbate problems, particularly on the Rochestown and Carrigaline Roads.

She said: “The new proposed signalised route will give priority to buses, cyclists, and pedestrians. At the moment, the roundabout allows access for motorists approaching it to ease into the flow of traffic allowing them to access the Rochestown Road, Maryborough Hill, and Douglas roads. Having signalised lights in the event of signal failure or wrong sequencing will lead to a backlog of traffic.

“An example of this is on the South Douglas Road by Douglas Community School where they removed the roundabout and put traffic lights instead. The traffic jams in Douglas at any time of the day are horrendous, the lights do not leave enough cars through and are continuously out of sequence,” added Ms Cowhey Shahid.