County Mayor's Diary Cllr Joe Carroll

I’m encouraging everyone to make a special effort to spend time in our towns and villages this Christmas and to support our local businesses.

All of Cork county’s towns and villages are open for business this Christmas. They have been decked out with beautiful lights, wonderful Christmas displays and there is much to discover. Shopping local, especially at Christmas, helps to ensure your area continues to thrive. We can all do our bit by supporting our local businesses, shops, restaurants, and cafes. It has been a challenging year for many businesses but together we can help them to end the year on a high.

It was a wonderful day recently for Cobh Library as it acquired a rare and historically significant Ordnance Survey of Ireland map of the Lower Harbour of Cork, generously donated by Diarmuid Kilcullen the grandson of Cobh barrister Francis J Healy. The map, which is based on the Ordnance Survey of 1897, showcases Cobh town, the surrounding areas, and Haulbowline Island. The map offers a unique glimpse into the strategic importance of the Lower Harbour over a century ago. This extraordinary map was published the same year that Cork County Council was established and offers a fascinating snapshot of a vital era in Cork’s history. We are very grateful to the donor for their generosity and for ensuing that this important part of our heritage is preserved for the people of Cobh and the wider community.

There are excellent some opportunities now available for private owners, custodians, and community groups to apply for funding for the care, conservation, maintenance, protection, and promotion of archaeological monuments in your area. The archaeological heritage of the county of Cork is vast and unrivalled, with close to 20,000 recorded archaeological monuments. The Community Monuments Fund has provided significant funding for a wide range of important archaeological projects in recent years and groups and owners are encouraged to apply under the 2025 Scheme. The deadline for submission of completed applications is 4pm on 31 January. Applications can be made by emailing corkheritage@corkcoco.ie.

Lastly, I’m pleased to announce that the council has signed a contract with Coffey Construction Ltd for the construction phase of the Ringaskiddy Active Travel and Urban Realm scheme.

The project will significantly improve sustainable transport options in a safe, segregated, and landscaped environment. This represents a significant milestone for Cork County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s project team. High quality public realm will promote Ringaskiddy as a destination and not just a stopping point on a journey.