Additional road funding will help make roads in Co. Cork better and safer – Harrington
Fine Gael TD for Cork South West, Noel Harrington, has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD, that the Government has approved an additional €5,818,342 for Cork County Council for regional and local roads. This is part of a €50 million expenditure for regional and local roads in 2013 announced by Minister Varadkar aimed at improving and making safer our roads.
“I am delighted that this funding has been sanctioned for Cork County Council. This additional funding is to be used primarily for surface restoration works but can also be used for safety schemes. Motorists and road users in Cork will welcome the fact that their roads will be safer and in better condition.
West Cork Islands Festival at Sherkin Island on June 15 & 16
Sherkin has its own special character. Many of Sherkin’s residents are active in the fields ofart: island craft, paintings and book writing, all inspired by Sherkins tranquil lifestyle. The busiest season starts with school summer holidays when people with young families visit the island.
The busiest day of the year is a celebration of Sherkin Regatta, usually held on the 3rd weekend in July, but which is postponed to August if weather does not allow. On this day the island is crowded with sea rowers and their fans. Children’s activities, music and food stalls are all part of this Sherkin fair. It is said that when the frost covers the lawns of Baltimore just across the bay, the grass remains unfrosted on the island.
Sustained visitor growth as Gathering picks up pace welcomed
Visitor numbers continued to grow this year with the CSO showing a 4% increase in trips to Ireland between February and April, and strong showings from Europe and North America, compared to the same three months last year.
Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar said the figures show that the Gathering 2013 is clearly picking up pace.
“The strong growth at the start of the year has continued into the second quarter. This is very encouraging as we enter our main tourist season. Visitor numbers from mainland Europe performed particularly well, showing the strongest performance since 2007, while North America generated the highest number of arrivals in over a decade,” Minister Varadkar said.
Beara-Breifni Walking Trail – Ireland’s Equivalent to the Camino to Santiago
Noel Harrington, T.D., for Cork South West, speaking following the Launch of the Beara Breifne Walking Trail, by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny at The Mansion House last night, (Wednesday 16th May 2013) stated that he was delighted to witness the culmination of years of tireless work come to fruition. The Beara Breifne Way is a walking trail, over 600km in length, running from the Beara Peninsula, County Cork to Breifne, County Leitrim following the line of Donal Cam O’Sullivan Beare’s march in the aftermath of the Battle of Kinsale in 1602. The route will make use of the Beara Way; Ballyhoura Way; Suck Valley Way; Miner’s Way and Historical Trail; Leitrim Way; and Cavan Way.
Deputy Harrington, added that “this initiative is a stunning example of communities working and linking together to create what I believe is Ireland’s equivalent to the Camino to Santiago in Spain. Fifty community groups, in 10 Counties, worked with over 240 landowners, the local authorities, the IFA, Failte Ireland, Leader, The Heritage Council and others, to bring this project to the final stage it is at now. This trail will also bring added employment to each area which will in turn boost the local and national economy, and will highlight each area’s heritage and wonderful scenery. I would like to especially thank and congratulate Jim O’Sullivan, Castletownbere, of Beara Tourism, who was involved in this initiative some 15years ago, who saw the vision of what this trail would be for tourism in each area, as well as for Ireland nationally.”