Website for Spike Island tourism suggestions set up

THE steering committee established to turn Spike Island into a tourist mecca has met for the first time and has established a dedicated website to allow the public contribute suggestions.

The inaugural meeting of the steering committee, established by county manager Martin Riordan, took place under the chairmanship of Brendan Tuohy and was attended by senior members of the statutory bodies involved.

The Government announced the transfer of Spike Island from the Department of Justice to Cork County Council to enable the local authority explore the tourism potential of the Island.

Brendan Tuohy, who is a former secretary general of Department of Communications and a native of Cork, said he was very impressed by the enthusiasm for the project from all the different organisations represented on the steering committee.

“There is huge enthusiasm for the project from the different agencies involved who have all expressed their full support for the development of Spike Island. Over the coming months the process will seek the engagement of other interests in the Cork Harbour area,” said Mr Tuohy.

“We are open to ideas and the views of interested parties will be taken on board,” he added.

The intention now is to progress the short- and medium-term development of Spike Island as a unique tourism, heritage and recreational product in Cork harbour.

A dedicated website spikeislandcork.com has been established with a facility for members of the public to contribute their suggestions to the development.

Members of the steering committee include: Denis Deasy, Cork county architect; Brendan Keating, chief executive of the Port of Cork; Aidan Pender, south-west regional director, Fáilte Ireland; Tom Tuohy of the Naval Service; Val Cummins of UCC; Donal Kerr, south-west regional director FÁS; Tom O’Neill of the Irish Prison Service and Sean Benton, former chairman of the Office of Public Works.