Monday 15th October 2018
Bere Island Projects Group CLG will hold their AGM on Wednesday 14th November at 7.30pm in the Community Centre. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Thursday 4th October 2018
Bere Island Projects Group will launch the Bere Island photographic project on Saturday 20th October at 2.30pm in the Heritage Centre. Earlier this year photographer Ed Godsell spent time on the island taking individual photographs of the islanders. A large montage print, and a bound book of all the photos will be presented at the launch. The project was supported by Cork County Council’s Creative Community Award.
Wednesday 3rd October 2018
Bere Island Projects Group have been awarded €17,035 to upgrade the kitchen in the community centre. The money was awarded under the Council Community Enhancement Scheme.
Wednesday 26th September 2018
On Wednesday 26th September 2018, Bere Island Projects Group together with the Irish Defence Forces, marked the 80th anniversary of the Handover of Fort Berehaven, Bere Island, one of Ireland’s Three Treaty Ports
The event, which was supported by The Heritage Council marked one of the most important events in Bere Island’s history in that it saw an end to a continual British military presence on the island since 1797.
The 80thanniversary commemoration was led by 1 Brigade Artillery Regiment from Collins Barracks Cork, and took pace at Rerrin Redoubt, the site of the original 1938 handover. Islanders gathered at Rerrin Military Barracks and were joined by a number of invited guests including County Mayor Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy. Family members Lt Billy Rea and Corporal Gene Brannigan, who were part of the Irish Army advance party in 1938, were also present.
Guests were welcomed by Eugene Glendon, chair of Bere Island Projects Group who outlined how at one time Bere Island was described as “a remote little Irish Gibraltar commanding with its guns the entrance to the huge, natural harbour of Bantry Bay.”
Mayor Murphy also spoke of Bere Island’s strategic importance in European history “whilst geographically Bere Island lies on the furthest reaches of Western Europe, the sheltered waters of Berehaven Harbour gave safe harbour to both the British and American navies during World War One.”
Just before midday the Last Post was played by the Band of 1 Brigade, followed by the raising of the Tricolour at 12.01pm, and a 21-gun salute. The band played the National Anthem and the ceremony concluded with a flypast from an Irish Air Corps Casa aircraft, which swooped over the island.
Guests then enjoyed a talk by island historian Ted O’Sullivan and refreshments before departing the island.
Monday 24th September 2018
Bere Island have won the Tidy Islands Award in the 2018 Tidy Towns Competition. This is the eleventh consecutive year the island has won the award and congratulations are extended to the Bere Island Tourism and Environment Group for all their sterling work towards the competition.
Monday 17th September 2018
Monday 10th September 2018
Bere Island Projects Group are once again hosting an event for the Taste of West Cork Festival 2018 – “Bere Island and the Great Famine.” The tour on Wednesday 12th September is now fully booked, however there are places remaining for the tour on Saturday 15th September. To book contact 027 75099.
Tuesday 28th August 2018
Bere Island Projects Group were delighted to hold the launch of Bere Island Community Radio last Friday 24th August in the Heritage Centre. We broadcast for over an hour and half, Eugene Glendon Chair of BIPG welcomed everyone, John Walsh, Project Officer introduced the whole Project, and then we had local historian Ted Sullivan give some idea of where Bere Island is and some of its wonderful history.
John also interviewed Conor and Laura from UCC about the Grassroots Project which is behind this radio initiative, followed by two “phone-ins”, one with the CRAOL Trainer, Darragh Parker from Youghal Community Radio who is coming this week for two day training sessions. Darragh talked about his experience over the last 35 years of Community Radio and what he will be covering in the 2 days training on Bere Island. The other phone-in was from Jim Hanley with regard to the upcoming GAA football all-island championships to be held on Bere Island in early September.
Helen Riddell then gave a report on things that had happened over the summer on the Island and especially Heritage Week (of which this event was a part) and things to come. Brenda Elphick, who has lived all her life on the island, told of her choir, who were travelling up to Dublin to sing at the Papal Mass in the Phoenix Park in Dublin. Eugene and John then closed the chat for the day, and this was followed by two young islanders, Amy Orpen and Molly Sullivan, who played their song playlist over the air for another half hour or so.
So all in all in total, we were over and hour and half “on air”. and the next broadcast will hopefully take place during the All Islands Football Tournament on 7th/8thSeptember. If anyone is interested in getting involved in Bere Island Community Radio Station contact 027 75099.
Monday 27th August 2018
Bere Island Projects Group is looking to hire a driver for the Bere Island rural transport bus from 1stOctober 2018.
The bus operates on Tuesdays and Fridays to bring islanders to and from Castletownbere and on Sundays to bring islanders to and from Mass.
Candidates should have a D1 licence, a CPC card and a Taco-graph card.
For further details contact BIPG on 027 75099.
Wednesday 22nd August 2018
Bere Island Projects Group’s plans to restore and open Lonehort Battery as a visitor attraction are now well underway. The two 6″ artillery guns at the Battery have now been sandblasted and repainted, and essential safety work is ongoing. Watch this space for further updates!
Tuesday 21st August 2018
Bere Island Projects Group and the work they have carried out under the Conservation Plan have been announced as a county winner of the National Lottery Good Causes Awards 2018. BIPG now go forward to the Regional Final in September so fingers crossed!
Monday 20th August 2018
Bere Island Projects Group are delighted to be part of a new EU funded project which will see a community radio station set up on Bere Island. Broadcasts will include heritage programming, music, current affairs, public information, and community news. The station will go live in December, but check our events page for further updates on training and information sessions.
Tuesday 31st July 2018
Pride of Place Awards Judging Event
Bere Island Projects Group were delighted to host the judges from the Pride of Place Awards today and Mayor of Cork County Cllr Parick Gerard Murphy at an event at the Bere Island Heritage Centre. The West Cork Islands as a group, have been nominated for this year’s Pride of Place Awards. Representatives from Bere Island, Sherkin Island and Dursey Island were also in attendance. The winners will be announced on 17th November.
Thursday 21st June (Notes of recent meeting with HSE re: nursing cover on Bere Island)
REPORT ON MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY GROUP WITH THE HSE CONCERNING THE NURSING REQUIREMENTS ON BERE ISLAND.
DATE: THURSDAY 7TH JUNE 2018. COMMUNITY CENTRE BERE ISLAND
ATTENDANCE:
ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY: Paul Moore, Angela Sullivan. Rachel Harrington. Gerard Sullivan. Eugene Glendon (all referred to as “the Group”)
ON BEHALF OF THE HSE: Joanna McCarthy, Interim Director PHN (Head of Services) and Teresa O’Donovan, Head of Primary Care HSE, (both referred to as the “HSE”)
The Agenda for the meeting had been set out by the Group and sent in advance to the HSE:
“To discuss recent changes in, and the future provision of, health services on Bere Island”.
The HSE explained that the provision of nursing care on the island was funded as part of the Primary Care Team and that the HSE has to manage within their own funding resources.
The Group explained at length and very forcefully that the Community on the island was extremely unhappy with health cover provided by the HSE to the island and what we now sought was the same level of cover as we had in 2009 and as now provided by the HSE to Cape Clear – and nothing less.
The HSE explained that the draft Report on the provision of health services to the islands (which was not yet published) was suggesting a level of cover which would cost the HSE approximately €400,000 per annum.
The Group explained that the total failure by the HSE to consult with community before changing the current minimum level of cover was the subject of severe personal distress and annoyance to the community.
All of the arguments which were aired at the meeting of the Community on the 19th April were explained at length to the HSE and the HSE stated that they could not agree to our demands.
It was emphasised and repeated to the HSE that the very survival of the island is dependent on the provision of a reasonable health service. The HSE advised that they do not have any role in the school.
The Group believe that having regard to representations made by the Group and several members of the community the practice of the current nurse being rostered for duty on the mainland will (hopefully) now cease.
In conclusion the Group explained that, in the absence of a commitment by the HSE to provide adequate funding and essential resources to the island, it was now the intention of the Group, on behalf of the Community, to immediately lobby and make representations to Government Ministers, TD’s, etc with a view to getting the necessary funding in place as a matter of urgency to ensure that the HSE will be obliged to provide a safe health service to the island.
The fight for survival is only beginning.
Tuesday 19th June
Bere Island Projects Group have recently submitted a planning application for a children’s playground on Bere Island.
Thursday 7th June
Bere Island Projects Group were delighted to host a visit from a group of international journalists who were on a tour of Cork and Kerry with Failte Ireland.
The group called to the Heritage Centre, enjoyed a cycle around the parkrun route with bikes from Murphy’s Shop and had a talk on the island’s military history from Barry Hanley. They also enjoyed a demonstration on brownbread making from Edel Murphy and were presented with jars of Bere Island honey from Barry. Thanks also to Michael Walsh for driving them around the island & to Bere Island Ferries for bringing them here. A great day was had by all!
Thursday 7th June 2018
Bere Island Projects Group were delighted to be invited to a function held by the Irish Aer Corps who are on a training camp on the island and to be presented with a framed aerial photo of Rerrin Village.
BIPG has a long standing relationship with the Irish Defence Forces, which includes working with them to secure a licence to restore and develop Lonehort Battery as a visitor attraction, and we are grateful to them for the use of the Lecture Theatre to stage theatrical performances during the summer months.
Wednesday 6th June 2018
St Michael’s National school children starting their annual spring clean along the west end roads and foreshore on Bere Island organised by BIPG.
Friday 1st June 2018
The June Bank Holiday weekend is here and the island is looking great. A lot of work has been carried out, the greens are strimmed, the grotto and graveyard have both been cut in preparation for the Procession on Sunday and the flowers all over the island are beautiful. Of course this wouldn’t be possible without the Fas & RSS workers Andy, Patrick, Mike and Sheila.
Also Finola who does a great job with the flowers in the graveyard and anyone I’ve forgotten well done to you all. You will also see from the picture below the Graveyard Committee with the support of BIPG have erected the new shelter in the Graveyard to replace the wooden one which was damaged in the storm over the winter.
The pitch is also looking well after being cut by Paul and we are ready for the Football Blitz happening tomorrow at 12:30pm in the Rec !! Best of luck to all taking part.
The recycling centre is as always neat and tidy thanks to Teddy & John and the can banks are empty for the busy summer ahead.
The Lookout and Bere Island Bakehouse are now open for food along with the Hotel which will have music tonight with Damien Coughlan and Dessie’s is open this evening for the weekend. All that’s left to say is we hope the weather stays nice and you enjoy the weekend and stay safe.
Thursday 31st May 2018
Bere Island Projects Group CLG succeed in obtaining Heavy Cargo Subsidy for the Island.
BIPG is pleased to confirm that it has been successful in obtaining a very significant heavy cargo subsidy for the island which will result in it now being cheaper to bring heavy cargo loads ( over 17 tons) into the island at a rate which is now cheaper than it was 30 years ago!
The maximum charge is now €90.00 per load ( fixed for the next two years) and the service will run at a minimum of twice per week throughout the year.
Contact for this service is Colum Harrington