People's Picnic at the Old Head of Kinsale

cork | rights and freedoms | event notice Thursday August 17, 2006 10:49 by Free the Old Head of Kinsale 086-3004573

Fight for the Right to Roam

Another People's Picnic to protest for the return of public access to the Old Head of Kinsale, Co. Cork will be held at the scenic headland on Sunday, 3rd September 2006 from 2-4pm.

Previous People's Picnic at Old Head of Kinsale

The Old Head of Kinsale is one of Ireland's most stunning locations with panoramic views of the south and west Cork coastlines. It has a protected bird sanctuary and is also home to many other rare flora and fauna including Ireland's only reptile, the Common Lizard. The headland is reached through a narrow isthmus and there is a walk of over one kilometre to the Old Head of Kinsale lighthouse (pictured). At the entrance is the historic De Courcey's castle (ruin) and evidence of Iron Age settlement has been found at the Old Head.

Since 1997 all this has been denied to the public, despite the fact that people walked the headland for centuries. In that year a private and extremely exclusive Golf Links course was built on the Old Head of Kinsale by a company called Ashbourne Holdings, owned by John & Patrick O'Connor. A court case regarding the public right of way is currently pending.

Over the last number of years the Free the Old Head of Kinsale campaign has organised protests at the County Cork headland, demanding the restoration of public access. These have mostly taken the form of "People's Picnics" where members of the public bring along their sandwiches and tea (or whatever) and picnic outside the gates (or better still, inside on the Old Head itself). Despite the ban on public entry, the barbed wire, CCTV cameras and bullies employed by Ashbourne Holdings, assisted by Gardai, the Old Head has been walked and picniced upon on many occasions over the last few years.

The next People's Picnic is on Sunday, 3rd September 2006. This is an open invitation to all those who believe in the right to roam to come along. Bring colourful banners, music, etc (don't forget the picnic!). Assemble at the Old Head of Kinsale, 2.00pm. The majority of those attending will be from the Cork area, many of those from the greater Kinsale / West Cork area, but this denial of public access is an issue for everyone to be concerned about. To get to the Old Head of Kinsale from Cork city travel via the R660 (Kinsale / Airport) road to Kinsale, travel west from the town over the bridge taking the coast road towards Garrettstown. Look out for sign to left for "Old Head". Total distance from Cork approx 27 miles (43km).