Old Head of Kinsale Issue Won't Go Away

national | miscellaneous | news report Sunday June 16, 2002 11:55 by Claire Porter - Old Head Of Kinsale claireporter at eircom dot net 4291 478

Report on the Old Head Protest 27 April 2002. The dates of the next three picnic/protests are 30 June, 28 July, 25 August 2002.

Walkers braved rain and gales to partake in the mass trespass of the Old Head of Kinsale on Sunday 27 April 2002. Swarms of protestors piled in to enjoy the traditional walk to the lighthouse at the end of the peninsular and have a picnic.
"For time immemorial, generations of people have been walking, picnicking and rock-climbing on the Old Head, and they won't let it be taken from them." said Nicola McMurray, spokesperson for the 'Free the Old Head of Kinsale' campaign.
"Recent developments in Europe and the UK have given walkers legal right of access to millions of acres of open uncultivated countryside. It is time that Ireland followed suit and liberalised its current antiquated laws."
In 1989, Cork County Council sold what up to now had been rough grazing land to the golf course, on condition that the right of public access was recognised during daylight hours. However the High Court overturned this right. An Bord Pleanála took its appeal to the Supreme Court and is awaiting the outcome. Meanwhile a group of private individuals have issued a legal challenge.
'We are also collecting stories/accounts of people's visits to the Old Head, in the past to contribute to a book that will serve as a public record' said Miss McMurray. Anyone with an account to contribute can contact Claire Porter on 021 4291 478 or claireporter@eircom.net .
There was a meeting at the end of the Kinsale Protest, which decided the dates of the next three picnic/protests 30 June, 28 July, 25 August (the last Sunday of each month). A bus to the Old Head will be available from outside the Cork City Library at 12 noon.