SOME bus tour operators have given up stopping at the Béal na Bláth monument site during the height of the summer season due to lack of parking spaces for their buses, it has been claimed.

A popular stop-off for tourists retracing the steps of Michael Collins, who was shot dead there on August 22nd 1922, the site received a significant revamp in the lead up the 100th anniversary of the ambush in 2022.

Parking bays were installed adjacent to the monument and the road, which had been prone for many years to boy racers doing donuts at the famous site, was narrowed.

The railings were also removed from around the monument and significant landscaping was carried out by Cork County Council ahead of the centenary commemoration which drew over 12,000 people to the monument site.

However, the new parking bays installed means that only a few cars can park there and some coach operators feel it is too dangerous to park up at the roadside.

Speaking to The Southern Star, Tim Crowley of the Michael Collins Centre and Museum at Castleview outside Clonakilty acknowledged the great work completed by Cork County Council at this important site but pointed out that it needs some re-tweaking to improve the overall visitor experience.

‘The parking is the real issue here at the moment and I bring my own small coach trips there and sometimes there is no space if three or four cars are parked in the parking bays,’ said Tim.

‘Some coach operators I have spoken to said they now avoid stopping at the famous site during the busy months of July and August because there are no designated bus parking bays there.’

He added that of all the sites associated with Collins, this is the most visited all year round and said it’s a pity that some visitors on coach trips are unable to get out and see the site where Collins was shot on August 22nd 1922.

‘I’m suggesting that maybe council officials could carry out a survey at Béal na Bláth in July and August and talk to people visiting the site to receive feedback from them as well as finding out how long people stay there.’

He added that many of the visitors he meets at the monument site are seeking more information about the events on that fateful day and he feels there is an information gap at the moment also.

‘The build and revamp is completed fantastically well but all that remains is an additional effort to bring the project to a whole new level.’

The road surface adjacent to the monument has in recent weeks significantly deteriorated also with parts of it appear to be sunken and locals there have called for works to be carried out on the road too.

This year’s annual commemoration will take place on Sunday August 23rd to mark 104 years since Collins was shot.

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill delivered last year’s oration and this year’s speaker is expected to be announced next month.

Cork County Council was contacted for a comment.