A Cork Harbour Forum has been set up to promote and facilitate improved management of Cork Harbour as a resource, to provide an opportunity for dialogue and networking and to highlight the benefits of Integrated Coastal Zone Management.  Funded through the European Commission, the Forum is facilitated by the Coastal and Marine Resources Centre of UCC and Cork County Council.  Some 40 stakeholders representing a broad range of interested groups came together at the National Maritime College, Ringaskiddy, in a working meeting on 6^th June.  This was the first step towards co-ordinated management planning for Cork Harbour.

Cllr. Marcia D’Alton writes …

Passage West/Monkstown Project 2006

The Project 2006 initiative for Passage West and Monkstown is proceeding apace.  This co-ordinated effort between the Passage West Environment and Development Association, the Passage West Town Council and Cork County Council has brought a new enthusiasm for a brighter, cleaner Passage West/Monkstown.  Suggestions for ways by which we may freshen up our towns are most welcome.  Particularly appreciated is any pair of hands willing to help in the litterpicks organised for Saturday mornings at 9.30 am and Wednesday evenings at 7.30 pm.  Just come along with your gloves to the Fire Station car park in Passage West where, in any reasonable weather, there is distribution of bags and litterpickers…

Businesses in Monkstown

Monkstown’s idyllic setting at the head of the West Channel as it turns to join Monkstown Bay and the Lower Harbour offers much to the day-tripper and tourist.  Situated between the Cross River Ferry and the ferryport at Ringaskiddy, it is an ideal stop-off for travellers heading either east or west.  Some six miles from the southern suburbs of Cork City and five minutes drive from Carrigaline, businesses in Monkstown specialise in offering, not the shopping experience of larger towns, but the finer things in life…

Cllr. Marcia D’Alton writes …

Pembroke Wood Residents Association meeting

Pembroke Wood is one of the largest and most recently completed estates in Passage West/Monkstown.  As is the case with so many new construction projects, the estate is experiencing some teething problems which need to be sorted out.  Many residents have approached me expressing their concerns in a number of areas.  In response to these concerns, a public meeting for all Pembroke Wood residents has been organised at which a new Pembroke Wood Residents Association will be formed…

Cllr. Marcia D’Alton writes …

Website for Passage West/Monkstown

My proposal for a website for Passage West and Monkstown which received unanimous support from Passage West Town Council is now coming to fruition.  An acceptable tender for design of the site has been received.  To be accessed at “www.passagewestmonkstown.ie”, this will be an attractive, active site, updated regularly with community and Town Council news, giving information on the rich history of Passage West and Monkstown, facilities and services available locally and the activities of sport and community groups.

Cllr. Marcia D’Alton writes …

Christmas Tree for Monkstown

This year for the first time, a cheerful little Christmas tree brightened up the central island of Monkstown.  This tree was truly a community effort.  The concept and execution of the plan was the culmination of several years of work by the Monkstown Amenity Association.  The tree itself was donated by Mr. Sean James, Monkstown resident and former Passage West Town Commissioner.  I managed to source suitable lights from Dublin at the last minute.  The Carrigaline Area Office of Cork County Council kindly organised the design of the plinth and were more than co-operative in assisting with the electrical connections and the dressing of the tree.  This co-ordinated effort brought much joy to the children and their parents who were present for the switching on of the lights on Christmas Eve…

Cllr. Marcia D’Alton writes …

Traffic Calming in Monkstown

One of the greatest fears of parents living in Monkstown is the speed of traffic through the village.  Strand Road, the main road running through Monkstown from Passage West, carries a huge volume of commuter traffic to the Ringaskiddy industrial base.  Also of particular concern is the Glen Road.  Children tend to run out from the village playground onto the Glen Road, completely blinded by parked cars and invisible to oncoming traffic.

I arranged a meeting with Cork County Council’s Area Engineer to discuss traffic calming measures on both Strand Road and the Glen Road.  He has agreed to speak to the Road Design Engineer about constructing a “gate” on the Strand Road to slow northbound traffic before entering the village…