The Port of Cork is shortly to set sail on what it hopes will be the first phase of a €24m redevelopment of facilities at Bantry Harbour which will encourage more seaborne trade and cruise line business.

Agreement has been reached to sell the Whiddy Island oil terminal in Bantry, which holds a third of Ireland’s strategic oil reserves, to the US startup, Zenith Energy.

A third generation West Cork fisherman has said fishermen are objecting to a proposed fish farm in Bantry Bay because if it proceeds, they “won’t be able to access their shellfish pots” in bad weather.

THE planned dredging of Bantry’s inner harbour will pave the way for proposed developments costing up to €12 million in the world famous west Cork bay.