Presentation on behalf of Passage West to Marymount Hospice
Angela Sweeney, local author and historian, presented a cheque to the value of €20,000 to Marymount Hospice at the Passage West Town Hall on 23rd May last. The large sum of money presented to Marymount Hospice was raised from the sales of the book “A Penny for Your Thoughts: A slice of life from Passage West”. The book was written and collated in its entirety by Angela. The publishers, editor and advertising agent all volunteered their services free of charge, while the fundraising for the printing was raised by community sponsorship. The bookshops through which it was distributed took no profit and so the entire purchase cost of “A Penny for Your Thoughts” went directly to Marymount Hospice…
For some time, Passage West Town Council has been concerned about pollution of the small river which enters Monkstown Creek at Raffeen Bridge. Passage West Town Council voiced this concern to Cork County Council some two years ago but, in the absence of any improvement, it has now asked the Environmental Protection Agency to investigate the potential cause of this pollution. Monkstown Creek is a designated proposed Natural Heritage Area by virtue of being a valuable feeding ground for migratory waders and having a nationally significant population of breeding cormorants…
Next year is the 75th anniversary of the closing of the Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway. The route of the railway was from Cork City to Blackrock, through cuttings and over embankments to Rochestown and then along a scenic riverside embankment to the quays in Passage West. The first train ran from Cork to Passage in June 1850. It cost 6d. for first class travel or 4d. for second class travel to take the 18 minute journey from Cork to Passage. Because the train ran only to Passage for the first 50 years of its life, first class passengers were able to take an omnibus to Monkstown for an extra 1d.
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 6th June. This was the first step towards co-ordinated management planning for Cork Harbour.
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…
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…
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…
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.
Independent Councillor in the Carrigaline Municipal District of County Cork