WEST CORK'S municipal district officer presented some of the positive developments that have taken place during the month of April.

Eimear O'Neill gave her presentation at a recent meeting of the West Cork Municipal District which was held at the Mizen Head Visitor Centre earlier this month.

Under the community fund scheme, Beara Tennis Club received an award of €500 for tennis equipment for the club which is located in the grounds of Beara Community School.

Bantry Tidy Towns received an award of €11,000 under the Community Contract; and a portacabin was installed to facilitate the reopening of Sherkin Library at the end of April.

She said the elected members of Cork County Council's western division attended a 10-year commemorative event celebrating the popular visitor attraction Michael Collins House in Clonakilty.

Over the past decade, the municipal district officer said Michael Collins House has grown from 7,500 visitors to an average of 20,000 visitors per year and cemented its role as a key heritage attraction in West Cork, as well as being of huge economic benefit locally.

She said the museum has hosted wide-ranging events, talks, exhibitions, publications and educational material, as well as special tours and tailored experiences for groups.

Meanwhile, Eimear confirmed that the eight applicants for lifeguard positions at the West Cork Leisure Centre are due to be interviewed and appointments made ahead of the summer schedule.

As part of the Council's plans to increase the usage of Skibbereen Town Hall she said The Listening Project held its first session A Masterclass in Strings, which featured TG4 Young Musician of the Year MacDara Ó Faoláin along with Victoria Adiiye.

The MDO confirmed that the next session will feature local indie-pop favourite Laurie Shaw & The Whopper Swans, along with Phil Langero with banjotronics and transcendental noisescapes.

Also on a creative note, she told the councillors that Creative Places West Cork Islands and the Museum of Birds and Beasts completed a book of short stories from the West Cork Islands.

During 2024 and 2025, artists Tess Leak and Sharon Whooley collected stories from the islanders of Bere Island, Oileán Chléire, Dursey Island, Heir Island, Long Island, Sherkin Island, and Whiddy Island, along with former residents of the now uninhabited Middle Calf Island and Horse Island. Memories from the East and West Skeam Islands are also included in this collection.

During the month, the local authority received news of funding for nine projects county-wide projects under the  Community Monuments Fund, an initiative that was launched in 2020 to support investment in Ireland’s archaeological heritage.

It was announced at the meeting that tidy town committees now have the opportunity to apply for a Dementia Inclusive Community Special Award as part of the Supervalu Tidy Towns annual competition.

The award is sponsored by the HSE’s National Dementia Services under the Understand Together campaign, which aims to promote inclusive communities that support people affected by dementia.

The municipal district officer gave a detailed account of the refurbishment of Skibbereen's public toilets, which are located in the children's playground at Cork Road.

The building was re-roofed; a new electrical system was installed; more durable sanitary ware was built-in to the facility; and hot and cold-water systems added.

New floor drains were installed to allow the facility to be completely washed down, and new non-slip flooring was added. In addition, the timber doors, frames and panels were made good and the building was painted inside and out.

In conclusion, Eimear outlined details of the Streetscape Enhancement Scheme 2026, which allows tenants or owners of occupied buildings to apply for financial assistance to improve the appearance of these buildings.

Eimear said priority will be being given to occupied commercial premises, but anyone interested in the scheme can apply online on Cork County Council’s website www.corkcoco.ie and following the link.