15,000 to attend family friendly bonfires tonight

It has taken a decade of sustained effort, but the problem of illegal fires on Cork City’s traditional June 23 bonfire night has almost been stamped out.

Up to 15,000 people are expected to attend a series of city council-supported, family-friendly bonfire-night celebrations at five city parks tonight, the 10th anniversary of the programme.

When the scheme was launched, there were 70 illegal fires around the city on bonfire night. These cost €60,000 annually to clean-up — as well as being a drain on fire service and Garda resources.