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.

Assistant county manager Theresa White, who helped encourage the project, said it was logistically difficult to get the islanders together but she was sure the new organisation would significantly improve their lot.

John Walsh from Bere Island Projects Group, which helped set up the website, said it would hopefully get more tourists to flock to the seven islands. Translations to a number of languages, including Arabic and Chinese, are also available on the site which will, in addition, provide details about events and local news.

County manager Martin Riordan said that working together locally in an organised and focused way is one of the most effective methods of ensuring that the community’s needs are heard and met and urged people to get involved.

“That voluntary activity forms the very core of all vibrant and inclusive societies and the linking together of all our West Cork island communities offers great opportunities for them,” Mr Riordan said,

Máirtín Ó Méalóid, manager of the Comharchumann Chléire Teo, which played a significant role in the community council’s development, said it would be a very important forum for discussion for collective matters.

The islanders’ website is http://westcorkislands.com/

Meanwhile, it has been announced that a new heavy cargo service is to be introduced on four of the islands.

Cork West TD Michael McCarthy said the service, made possible with a government grant, will be run for 50 days over the next year by Carbery Island Ferries Teo. He said people living on Cape Clear, Sherkin Island, Hare Island and Long Island would be able to avail of the service and it would significantly decrease the cost of transporting goods onto the islands.