Vintage Run celebrates Ford

Broomhill Vintage Club will mark the 100^th Anniversary of Henry Ford setting up his factory in Cork in 1917 by taking their annual Vintage Run to Ballinscarthy on Sunday April 23rd. The club have a very close association with the iconic motor brand having honoured the Ford Cortina, Mark ll Escort and Fordson Tractor over the last number of years at their annual Festival. They are inviting all vintage and classic Ford owners as well as everyone else to join them in their trip to Henry Ford’s ancestral home on Sunday week.   Registration is from 11.00am in the GAA Hall in Coachford .The Tractors will head off on a different route closer to the village and again all Fords and other makes are most welcome to enjoy a Great Day Out. Further information is available from Tadgh at 087 2426343

Irish Water test Village

Irish Water contractors conducted some sample testing in Coachford last week in advance of starting work on the long awaited and badly needed new Sewage Treatment Plant. The works are due to begin in November 2017 or early 2018. The new plant would enable more houses and other developments to be constructed in the village  and allow the vibrant community to expand and grow. Maighread Ní Buachallaí, Chairperson of the Community Council said “ We are delighted that some progress on this issue appears to be happening and we are thankful for everyone who is working to bring this plant to the construction phase. However we are also realistic about the challenges ahead and we are aware that a few test holes in the village are a long way from getting the sewage plant that this community deserves and needs”.

A bridge too Far

The Community Council have raised with the Cork County Council the urgent need to repair the surface of Rooves Bridge. The bridge, built by the ESB in the 1950s as part of the Lee Hydro Electrical  Scheme is used by hundreds of vehicles every day and is now in an appalling condition. The County Council are claiming that the ESB are responsible for the repairs and maintenance of the structure while the ESB are refuting this and putting the onus for any road repairs on the bridge back on the council’s desk. “ We really don’t care which of them is responsible, we need this serious issue to be addressed immediately. This bridge is used by cars and trucks every day and many many cyclists at weekends. It is dangerous at this stage. I have witnessed cyclists putting themselves in danger trying to avoid the craters on the bridge. The surface hasn’t been touched in years and the council are doing nothing about it. It is no good building these structures if nobody is going to take the responsibility of looking after them. We have a county Council who continue to neglect the roads around Coachford and it’s not good enough anymore. There is no point in the council or the ESB for that matter promoting tourism and healthy lives and then having a bridge across the beautiful Lee Valley that is a danger to all that use it. We have the world championships coming to the river in August and there is great credit due to the ESB and the council in the work they put in to secure the competition for this venue but their work shouldn’t stop there. The now need to ensure that the Bridge is looking at its absolute best for the event in July. ” Said Peter Dineen of the Coachford Community Association. The ACR Community Council are asking the County Council and the ESB to sit down and come to some agreement as quickly as possible so that works can be carried out.

The world is coming to Coachford

The World Youth Angling Championships is coming to Coachford from August 8^th to 13^th . The Competition will take place on Inniscarra Lake with many of the pegs being situated along the Coachford Greenway. Teams from around the world are expected to start arriving  from August  5^th to get ready for the five day event. The first three days will involve training  while the real competition takes place on Saturday 12^th and Sunday 13^th. The opening ceremony of the world championships takes place in Coachford Village on August 10^th at 6pm  and promises to be a colourful  affair with a parade of flags and nations through the village.  Huge crowds are expected along the river bank and in the Lee Valley Area for this huge event. The GAA Complex in Coachford will act as the HQ for the event for the five days. The prize giving and awarding of medals ceremony takes place in the Oriel Hotel In Ballincollig. Hotels and Guest Houses are booked up for this event for months and many teams have had to seek accommodation in East and West Cork.