Islanders unite in bid to increase their clout

For the first time the population of the seven inhabited islands off the Cork coast have elected a joint community council which they hope will give them greater clout when it comes to gaining vital inward investment.

The community council, which has two elected representatives each from Cape Clear, Hare, Long, Sherkin, Dursey, Whiddy and Bere islands, met at County Hall yesterday where they also launched a new website which is aimed at promoting their respective communities.

The community council will be chaired by Sherkin-based Syd Cheatle who said the organisation would work for the islanders’ long-term overall interests. It was set up with the aid of a number of different statutory bodies, including West Cork Enterprise Board, Fás, IFA, Gardaí and Údarás na Gaeltachta to promote the islands and help their economies.