Mr. Sean Connick, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has today (Saturday, 9 October), performed the official opening of new facilities at Kinsale and Baltimore harbours.
Speaking at the opening of the refurbished Adam’s Quay, Kinsale Harbour, the Minister said that the work undertaken was a great boost to one of our most historic and world renowned harbours. “The disrepair that had caused the quay to be closed on health and safety grounds has been expertly addressed and is now being used as an extra landing berth for fishing boats in particular. Leisure tourism, already so important to Kinsale, will benefit from the reopening of this facility”, he said.
Congratulating Kinsale Harbour Commissioners on their commitment to improving facilities at the harbour, Minister Connick noted that since 2004, the Government has invested over €2 million in remedial works.
Later in the day Minister Connick visited Balitmore for the official opening of a new Ro-Ro slipway east of the North Pier. The new slipway, which was allocated funding of over €1.3 million in 2010, replaces an existing facility in the inner harbour that has become unsuitable and unsafe for its many users. “Baltimore Harbour is long established as a centre for sailing, fishing, leisure craft and of course passengers ferries and barge services for Cape Clear, Heir and Sherkin Islands. The provision of a new slipway fit for purpose for what is one of the major ports along the West Cork Coastline was badly needed and I am delighted to be here today to mark the opening of a facility that will greatly boost, local tourism, commerce, rescue services and all aspects of life centred around this beautiful harbour”, Minister Connick said.