Floating pontoons will allow more visitors come to Camden Fort

Four floating pontoons are to be built adjacent to a coastal fort in Cork harbour as part of a major initiative to encourage more tourist visits to historic sites.

Cork County Council plans to build the pontoons at the western side of Camden Fort Meaghar in Crosshaven.

Original fortifications of the historic site date from around 1550.

Council chiefs said the development will create safe berthing facilities in the area and will form “part of a series of strategically located pontoons within the harbour” connected to historic sites.

Once completed, the Camden facility will also be used by harbour ferry services.

The development will consist of the installation of floating pontoons, mooring piles, access gangway, lighting, safety equipment, and a disabled access hoist.

A report to councillors said the first two landing pontoons will be located at the end of the access gangway. They will create a 4m x 4m space.

The second set of pontoons will be located at a right angle to them and will be 20m long x 2.5m wide. They will be used for berthing.

Access to the pontoon will be via a 20m-long aluminium gangway which will connect to the existing pier deck.

Officials said there will be no structural connection between the pontoons and the pier walls as the pontoons will be anchored by a system of tubular steel piles.

The piling will be approximately 559mm in diameter and painted black with an epoxy coating. The piles will be anchored-socketed into the bedrock and will be capped with white pile caps.

Officials also said to undertake the project some dredging will be required in the vicinity to increase the water depth for visiting vessels.

The council said it considered the proposal to be in compliance with the provisions of the Carrigaline Electoral Area Local Area Plan, the County Development Plan and with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

An Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) on the proposed project was carried out by Blue Brick Heritage Ltd on behalf of the council.

It suggested the pontoon ‘should be as discreet as possible’ and be constructed only after prior consultation with the county archaeologist, the county conservation officer and other relevant authorities.

Meanwhile, visitor access to the fort only commenced in 2010 after a restoration project involving the community of Crosshaven and Cork County Council. Works included a clean-up and restoration project.