State-of-the-Art Fire Station Opens in Clonakilty

A new €2.25 million fire station serving more than 18,000 people in Clonakilty and surrounding areas was officially opened on Monday. The modern facility on Park Road replaces the old Kent Street station which had served the town for over 80 years.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on 19th January, with Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley, Minister of State Christopher O'Sullivan TD, and Cork County Council Chief Executive Moira Murrell in attendance.

The 310-square-metre facility represents a significant upgrade for Clonakilty Fire Brigade, which responds to approximately 150 incidents annually including house fires, road traffic collisions, chimney fires, and gorse, hill and grass fires.

The station serves not only Clonakilty but also a wide hinterland including Rosscarbery, Timoleague, Courtmacsherry, Ballinscarthy, Ring, Ardfield and Rathbarry. The brigade also regularly assists adjacent station areas including Skibbereen, Dunmanway and Bandon.

The new building features an appliance bay accommodating two fire brigade vehicles and a domestic bay housing the watch room, muster bay, kitchenette, lecture and training room, and ancillary spaces.

Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley, Mayor of the County of Cork said:

"This new fire station is a valuable addition to Clonakilty. It serves Clonakilty and a wide hinterland including nearby villages of Rosscarbery, Timoleague, Courtmacsherry, Ballinscarthy, Ring, Ardfield and Rathbarry. Clonakilty Fire Brigade also responds regularly to incidents in adjacent station ground areas of Skibbereen, Dunmanway and Bandon. The old facility at Kent St which underwent a redevelopment in 1975 and the former station on the same site has served the area well for just over 80 years. The new station on Park Rd is much larger and has more modern facilities which is of huge assistance to the work this Brigade does."

James Browne TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage said:

"This new Fire Station in Clonakilty is an excellent example of what can be achieved through my Department's Fire Services Capital Programme. New, state-of-the-art fire stations, as well as new equipment allows us to continue to support the vital work Fire Services across Ireland do every day."

Christopher O'Sullivan TD, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said:

"Clonakilty Fire Brigade, along with all the stations in County Cork, respond to a wide range of emergency incidents from house fires, commercial fires, road traffic collisions, chimney fires as well as gorse fires, hill and grass fires. This new station has improved facilities to support Clonakilty Fire Brigade in their work to deliver effective emergency and fire safety response to the community far into the future. This long-term investment through the Department's Fire Services Capital Programme not only ensures the continued development of the infrastructure of fire stations, but also provides further investment in vehicle fleets, specialist equipment and command and control capability, reflecting the importance we place on fire safety in terms of our citizens and property."

The station is staffed by a local crew of 12 comprising a station officer, sub-station officer, two driver mechanics and eight firefighters.

Moira Murrell, Chief Executive of Cork County Council added:

"The Fire and Rescue Service is a vital part of Cork County Council. Clonakilty is one of 20 fire stations located throughout the county of Cork. We have over 230 trained firefighters, who are members of the local community in which they serve, are trained and on call to respond to whatever emergency that may arise."

The contract was awarded to Cahalane Construction following a competitive tender and was funded by the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government.