€1.5m boost for water sports at popular East Cork beach

Development at Claycastle Beach in Youghal to include indoor and outdoor showers, changing rooms, and toilets

Claycastle Beach in Youghal is popular with swimmers and water sports enthusiasts. File picture: Denis Minihane

Cork County Council is to develop a €1.5m facility aimed at aiding water sports activities at one of East Cork’s most popular beaches.

The development will be located in the car park at the entrance to Claycastle Beach in Youghal. 

It will have indoor and outdoor showers, changing rooms, and toilets.

It has been hailed as “a game-changer” for tourism attractions in the East Cork region by the mayor of Co Cork, Independent councillor Mary Linehan-Foley, who lives in the town.

Councillors unanimously supported the plan, which was proposed by council chief executive Moira Murrell and her officials.

The project will see a 58sq m building constructed within the car park.

The ‘single low-rise structure’ will comprise five indoor showers; four outdoor showers and wash-down facilities, plus four indoor toilet cubicles, which the council says will include changing places and an accessible facility for those with impaired mobility.

In addition, there will be wash-hand basins, ancillary storage, and space for equipment.

Claycastle is a Blue Flag beach popular with swimmers and water sports enthusiasts, with its sheltered bay offering ideal conditions for a range of activities.

Council officials said the construction project would not require any work to be undertaken on the nearby beach, sand dunes, or the inter-tidal zone.

Its construction will mean about 25 car parking spaces will be lost to accommodate the building.

According to council officials, this will still leave 225 spaces, which they say is more than adequate to meet current demand.

Council officials said no demolition works or excavation beyond foundation construction would be required.

The building is being designed above tidal flood levels and will include non-return valves, flood-resilient finishes, and elevated electrical systems to guard against storm surges.

“This has long been awaited in my hometown and I want to thank the county council and Fáilte Ireland for making this happen. We have been fighting for this for a number of years,” Ms Linehan-Foley said.

She formally proposed the adoption of the plan and was seconded by Fine Gael councillor Michael Hegarty.

He said it would aid the growing number of water sports enthusiasts visiting the region, which could only be positive for the local economy.