Cork council plans to develop campervan parks 'fairly advanced'

Irish Examiner

13-07-2025

Cork County Council is in the process of identifying a number of sites throughout the county to develop serviced campervan/motorhome parks which could provide it with very lucrative income.
The first municipal-controlled site of its type in the country was developed by the council a few years ago in Cobh, and the revenue the local authority is generating is growing at a significant rate.
Figures released by Cobh municipal district officer Pádraig Lynch show that, so far this year, the council has collected €31,625 from the facility.
Motorhome/campervan holidaying is becoming increasingly popular in Ireland, and this is being reflected in the significant income increase from €22,480 for the comparative period last year.
At a meeting of the East Cork Municipal District Council, Fine Gael councillor Michael Hegarty said there was significant need for one in Midleton.
He was told senior officials in County Hall recognise the need for more of them across the county, and a number of sites were being identified with plans 'fairly advanced' and costings now being calculated.
The likelihood is work will start on developing some of them before next summer.
Mr Hegarty suggested the council had plenty of land outside its own offices on Youghal Road, Midleton, which could accommodate such a facility.
He said it would be ideal as it was very close to the town centre, and officials said they would look into this.
Fianna Fáil councillor Ann Marie Aherne said currently many of these vehicles were parking close to Midleton Distillery and taking up spaces which could be used by local shoppers.
"There are no services here for them, like the facility in Cobh, where they can hook up to electricity, water and dispose of effluent," she said.
'Campervan and motorhome clubs are constantly telling me such facilities are needed for their members visiting Midleton,' Ms Ahern said.
Youghal-based Mayor of County Cork Fianna Fáil councillor Mary Linehan-Foley said her hometown badly needed one as well, because it attracts large numbers of tourists and she was told the council was looking at suitable sites there.
Labour councillor Cathal Rasmussen, who represents the Cobh Municipal District Council, described the increase in revenue at the facility there as 'brilliant".
It is also expected similar facilities will be developed along the Blackwater Valley in North Cork, and along the Wild Atlantic Way in West and South Cork.
Councillors representing the latter region say the touring vehicles needed somewhere to dispose of their waste properly, as some are emptying effluent tanks at beauty spots, thus causing pollution and associated health hazards.