Co. Council Requires Acquisition to Improve Luc Strand, Ringaskiddy

Writes Leo McMahon

A call on the county council to engage with current owners Industrial Development Authority (IDA) with a view to acquiring Luc Strand, Loughbeg, Ringaskiddy and improving amenities there was made by Cllr Eoghan Fahy (SF) and supported at the recent meeting of Carrigaline Municipal District (MD).

Cllr Fahy said that like greenways, beaches such as Luc, Fountainstown and Myrtleville were no longer seasonal but used all year round with swimming, saunas and food outlets.  He hoped that the council could acquire ownership of Luc by summer 2026 so as to install running water and showering facilities etc. It was not the fault of the council that this wasn’t achieved this year, when acknowledging the efforts of MD officials.

Luc Beach, Lough Beg, Ringaskiddy - photo Leo McMahon.jpeg

Seconding, Cllr Audrey Buckley (FF) acknowledged the efforts of senior executive officer Maurice Murphy. There was obviously need for extra car parking because the current congestion was impacting on nearby businesses. The council put in a concrete path and bins in recent years.The beach would be ideal for beach wheelchairs and an eco-toilet.

Mr Murphy said there were complexities. There was a short term proposal on the table but it wasn’t workable from an operational perspective for the council so it didn’t progress.  He intended speaking with senior management in the council to see if it could get a conversation with the IDA . The council couldn’t operate on a temporary basis as this would close off funding to it so to achieve the level of development of added value recreational amenities councillors wanted so the ownership route was the only way to take. Both parties had to be willing to push it forward and stakeholders in the vicinity also had to be considered.

‘It’s a great beach. The water has been tested and it’s clean,’ said Cllr Buckley. Cllr Fahy’s motion was adopted.