Boat Landing Facility Sought for Passage

Writes Leo McMahon

A boat launching facility near Tom Fahy Park (Penny’s Dock) could help to rejuvenate the quay area and the centre of Passage West, said Cllr Tom Fahy (SF) at the recent meeting of the county council’s Carrigaline Municipal District (MD).

On the agenda was a motion from him asking for this to be explored and he was informed in a report from senior executive officer (SEO) Maurice Murphy that the request had been referred to the council’s Coastal Management Unit (CMU).

Welcoming this, Cllr Fahy said the proposal had the potential for further positive development in nearby Railway Street and Steampacket Quay in what was currently the most run down area in the heart of Passage West. He added that he looked forward to the response from the CMU.

The suggested launch point is the slipway between Tom Fahy Park and the end of Steampacket Quay near the former credit union building. The pontoon at Passage West incidentally, is primarily for boat landings, not launching or berths, and it’s hoped will become a stop on a proposed Cork Harbour ferry service.

Cllr Patrick Donovan (FF) seconded what he described as ‘a positive motion’ for Passage West by Cllr Fahy. Such a facility with safe access would bring more people by land and water into a town with a long maritime history and a greenway.

No Cycling !

Cllr Fahy had a motion that ‘No Cycling’ signs be put on the footpath that runs along by The Ferry Arms, Glenbrook, Passage West.

‘A sign at the northern and southern side along with one in the middle by the tunnel would be sufficient,’ he said.

Cllr Eoghan Fahy by the suggested boat launching point at the current slipway between Tom Fahy Park/Penny's Dock and the end of Steampacket Quay, Passage West - photo Leo McMahon

In a report, acting senior executive engineer Alan Cogan said: ‘No markings or signage will be provided at this location as to do so would set a precedent for all footpaths within the MD’.

Cllr Fahy said he wasn’t happy with the response.  He was talking about 400 to 500 metres of narrow footpath as done further on towards Glenbrook ferry so how was one expected to explain that to residents, one of whom when coming outside the door was in collision with a cyclist who ended up on the road and could so easily have been hit if a bus or car had been passing at the time.  He asked that his request be reviewed.

An cathaoirleach Cllr Ben Dalton-O’Sullivan (Ind) seconded and executive engineer Andy O’Brien said he would like at the situation on the ground.

Another motion from Cllr Fahy asked the council to look at including the section of the R610 road from the county boundary northward towards Passage Soccer Club (less than 1 kilometre) for full resurfacing as part of the 2026 roads programme. He also suggested Carrigaline MD write to Cork City Council asking it to include the section for Hop Island, Rochestown to the county boundary (near Roberts Bridge) which is about 1.4km long, so that both works could run in conjunction and minimise disruption.

Mr Cogan, in a report, said the issue was still being investigated but an update would be provided to councillors when available.  MD officer Denise Kidney pointed out that the 2026 roads programme and budget had not yet been decided.

Cllr Fahy said the road carried a huge volume of traffic including heavy goods vehicles, buses and commuters.  The surface was in dire need of attention with manholes sinking and had a flooding problem even after one heavy burst of rainfall.

Cllr Una McCarthy (FG) seconding, said the road was a crucial link between the Lower Harbour and Douglas and Cork City. It always flooded after heavy rain making it tricky to get through and the road had eroded and sunk. Joined up thinking with the city council was needed.  Cllr Fahy said he was asking in advance that his request be made a priority for 2026.  The motion was adopted.

Cllr Fahy enquired about footpath improvement works planned for Ardmore, Passage West. Mr O’Brien said he recently met the contractor and residents there and would follow up on getting a start-up date.

In reply to Cllr Fahy, the MD officer said she understood that the senior executive officer had contacted the council’s asset management unit about problems with the public toilet in the Town Hall building, Passage West.  She undertook to follow up. Cllr Fahy said it was closed due to cracked pipe and needed to be permanently fixed and suggested that in the meantime, the town be given a temporary portable toilet as done for beach resorts in the MD during the summer.