€2m landbridge to secure future of Mizen visitor centre

A NEW €2 million landbridge is to be built at Ireland’s most south-westerly point to service a famous lighthouse and safeguard a major tourist attraction.

The proposed new structure will replace the existing arched foot bridge linking the Cork mainland to Mizen Head Lighthouse on Cloghane Island.

Mizen Tourism Co-operative development officer Sue Hill said: “This is wonderful news. The long-term future of Mizen Head Signal Station Visitor Centre has been secured.”

The old bridge was deemed unsafe in 2005 by the Commissioners for Irish Lights which has responsibility for the coastal landmark.

Temporary works costing €100,000 were carried out at the time by Cork Co Council to extend the life of the bridge by a further five years.

However, the new foot crossing will be funded by Fáilte Ireland, Cork Co Council and the Commissioners for Irish Lights.

Work is expected to begin in September and be completed in time for next summer’s tourist season.

Tenders for the construction work have already been lodged and the successful candidate is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Close to 60,000 tourists visit the Mizen Head Signal Station Centre every year.

The lighthouse hit the headlines in 1986 when former taoiseach Charlie Haughey was rescued by Baltimore Lifeboat after his yacht Celtic Mist hit the treacherous rocks around the head on a passage from Dingle to Dublin.