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Irish Examiner
a day ago
- General
- Irish Examiner
Tánaiste backs major tourism plans for historic Camden Fort Meagher in Cork Harbour
The Tánaiste has pledged ongoing Government support for the continued development of a landmark Cork Harbour fort as a key regional tourist attraction. Simon Harris was speaking at the official opening of a new exhibition space at Camden Fort Meagher — widely recognised as one of the finest remaining examples of a classical coastal artillery fort in the world — which has become an award-winning visitor site since it was reclaimed by community volunteers in 2010. This triggered a massive restoration involving extensive collaboration between the community, Cork County Council, and the government. Mr Harris visited the fort in Crosshaven on Friday to officially open the latest phase of restoration: the casemate building with its striking barrel-vaulted roofs and display rooms. He praised the efforts of all involved in the restoration and regeneration work over the years. 'Camden Fort Meagher is a place of national historical significance and a powerful symbol of Ireland's military and maritime heritage,' he said. 'It has been transformed from a derelict stronghold to a fantastic visitor experience. 'I know Cork County Council is working on plans to further develop it, and we in government will continue to partner together with all those involved to further develop the facility.' Fortifications were first built on the site in 1550, with upgrades in the late 1700s and 1800s to support the naval defence of Cork Harbour. Approximately two-thirds of the structure are located underground in a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers. It was handed back to the state in 1938 and remained an Irish military installation until it was transferred to the county council in 1989. The fort was overgrown in 2010 when local community volunteers began reclaiming and restoring it, spearheading its transformation in phases as funding allowed. The fort closed for extensive restoration during 2023 and 2024, focusing on protecting and conserving the casemate building, which houses the fort's main tourist exhibitions. The work was funded through significant investment by Cork County Council, supported by the government through the Historic Structures Fund and Community Monuments Fund. Nicola Radley, Director of Service, Cork County Council; Minister of State at the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, Hildegarde Naughton TD; Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities and with responsibility for Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer TD; Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris TD; Cllr Ben Dalton O'Sullivan, Deputising for the Mayor of the County of Cork, and Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moria Murrell, pictured with elected representatives, volunteers, and other guests, as Cork County Council has officially opened new tourist display rooms at Camden Fort Meagher in Crosshaven. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan Last October, the council and Costello Masonry Conservation Ltd won first prize for the specialist work at the Irish Construction Excellence Awards. The casemate block has now been fully commissioned with new exhibitions telling the story of the fort's history, reclamation, and restoration. Mr Harris said its restoration is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration between local communities and government. Cllr Ben Dalton O'Sullivan, deputising for the county mayor, said the entire fort is of huge historical and architectural significance. 'For almost 400 years the fort played a key role as a strong strategic position for the defence of Ireland, the west coast of England and Wales. The fort's military and more recent history is told through these new displays and I hope they will inform and entertain,' he said. Minister of State Jerry Buttimer described the fort project as a shining example of community spirit and strategic investment working hand in hand. 'The fort not only tells the story of our nation's past, but also embodies the power of local volunteers and the value of community-led regeneration,' he said. Moira Murrell, the council's chief executive, said they have huge ambition for the fort, but state funding is important to ensure projects of scale are delivered. 'The fort has the potential to be a significant economic driver for Crosshaven and the wider harbour area,' she said. 'We look forward to working with both Fáilte Ireland and government departments to identify funding opportunities to allow Camden Fort Meagher and the wider community to reach its full economic and tourism potential." Camden Fort Meagher is open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday, and on Bank Holiday Mondays between April and October. It will open seven days a week during July and August. See for details. Read More Work on Cork taskforce 'ongoing' as Fine Gael appoints first ever spokesperson on city
Irish Independent
21-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Calls to fix ‘cumbersome' Limerick housing grants failing first-time city buyers
'These grants are not working,' said Social Democrats' Elisa O'Donovan, 'we need more people living in our city centre.' 'I know so many people who want to live in the city centre. However, it is so expensive for them to do up a derelict property or an old Georgian house,' she added. Referring to the Living City Initiative, she said: 'The number of successful applicants for that initiative and for that grant has gone from 24 successful applicants in 2022 to only nine last year, and that's both for residential and commercial.' On other schemes, she added: 'Only one private residence in the metropolitan area was awarded funding last year' through the Historic Structures Fund. 'The only people that I know who have been successful in getting this grant in Limerick city are property developers or landlords,' she continued, referring to the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant which can get a prospective applicant up to €70,000. 'I just know one person who was eligible for this to have it as their primary residence, but then eventually they rented it out, and now they actually have multiple properties within the city centre.' She concluded: 'I believe we should write to the government to ensure that first-time buyers, those who need that €70,000 to renovate a city centre property and make it their home, are prioritised for this funding, so we can create a more liveable city.' 'These houses in the city centre, they're not just investments for developers and landlords. They are possible homes for people,' said Cllr Shane Hickey-O'Mara, who seconded the motion. 'We need life in the city desperately.' Cllr Maria Donoghue added: 'A lot of our grant schemes for capital works are quite onerous and cumbersome. 'You have to spend the money up front before you can get the grant. I support anything that brings life into the city, but if you need the money up front in order to access the money, well then it's a circuitous and ineffective grant and we should look at it.' 'Anything that brings life back into the city and helps us become a liveable city, it has to be commended,' said Cllr Ursula Gavan.
Irish Examiner
28-04-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
€30k restoration of St Anne's Church doors set to begin
Work is set to get underway on an iconic feature of St Anne's Church as part of a series of measures to preserve the iconic landmark. Funding worth €30,000 from the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) will be used to restore the front doors of the church, which is located in Cork City's Shandon area. The doors, which date back more than three centuries, have served as an entry point to worshippers, locals, and tourists over those years. This restoration is part of a series of works identified in the Conservation Management Plan conducted last year. Funded by the Community Monument Fund, the plan outlined key preservation and conservation measures central to the building's longevity. Reverend Meghan Farr from St Anne's Church described the importance of the work involved. 'The doors of St Anne's Shandon have stood as a symbol of welcome and openness for over three centuries. They are not just a physical gateway but a reflection of our mission to embrace all who come through them. This restoration ensures that we can continue to extend that welcome for generations to come. She thanked the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Cork City Council for their support. The restoration work follows a recent allocation of €130,000 from the Community Monument Fund also run by the department. This funding will support phase one works identified in the Conservation Management Plan, which include repairs to the timber and metal structures supporting the bells. The projects will complement urgent repairs to the clock face and mechanism with the help of a €250,000 grant awarded to Cork City Council under the Historic Structures Fund. This is part of a broader commitment to revitalising the Shandon area through strategic investment in its architectural heritage. The church will be closed for construction during certain periods, details of which will be highlighted on the church website and its social media accounts. For more information visit
