County Mayor's Diary

Cllr Danny Collins

I had a most enjoyable Culture Night and the opportunity to attend 2 events.

I would like to commend the council and the wonderful creators, artists and performers in the county who undertook events and activities and spread culture throughout the county.

It is a firm favourite in the social calendar, and long may it continue.

1 of the events I attended was the culmination of 4 years’ work by the Skibbereen Heritage Centre Team.

I’m drawing your attention to it because Stories of the Revolution, a collection of over 800 essays collected from 823 children can be browsed and searched digitally thanks to Cork County Council.

I’ve read some of the essays online and thoroughly enjoyed them.

The accompanying book is ‘Stories of the Revolution Small Stories – Big History’.

I had a very busy day recently and was traversing the county to officially open and launch projects that were the culmination of years of planning and work.

I officially opened Macroom Fire Station; a new state-of-the-art building designed by Cork County Council staff.

It is a fantastic addition to Macroom, a superb base for our firefighters who carry out essential work and most importantly serve the community when called upon.

Sustainability was a key driver in the development of Macroom Fire Station.

Cork County Council is an All-Ireland Pollinator Plan Partner, the grassed areas around the fire station will be managed to support wild-life and pollinators.

Rainwater will also be harvested and stored in a large attenuation tank.

Renewable energy was integrated into the design, PV panels and an air source heat pump for both hot water and space heating, make the building cost efficient.

The building complies with the Part L Nearly Zero Energy Building standards.

Next stop was Water-Rock to turn the sod signalling the start of the new development as part of the Government’s Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF), near Midleton.

Cork County Council has worked proactively over an extended period with landowners, government agencies and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage using LIHAF funding to deliver this substantial infrastructure project, providing new roads and services valued at €8.5m.

The site, consisting of 160 hectares, has been zoned to provide a mixed-use development in three phases which will eventually include 2,500 residential units, three schools, a neighbourhood centre, a railway station and parks. This is great news for East Cork.

I was very happy to support #MakeWayDay, footpaths are for everyone and provide safe passage from one location to another. We need to be mindful of all users and keep them clear of obstacles. The citizens of Cork county have an excellent reputation for looking after each other in their communities. Make the footpaths you walk obstacle free for all users.