Established under Cork County Council’s Project ACT initiative to support communities, businesses and industry as they look to recover from the impact of COVID-19, significant moves have been made to enhance Skibbereen as a safe, vibrant and welcoming town for residents and visitors alike, less than two months since Skibbereen’s first Town Team meeting.
A suite of measures has been carried out in Skibbereen following extensive collaboration between Cork County Council and the local Town Team, including members of An Garda Síochána, Skibbereen Chamber of Commerce, Skibbereen Tidy Towns, Skibbereen Geriatric Society and other community representatives working in unison and for the betterment the rural town.
Works carried out to date as part of the Council’s ongoing Project ACT include a deep clean and decluttering of footpaths and public areas, cleaning of signs and bollards and footpath repairs. Cork County Council has also awarded Project ACT Town Development Funding for the purchase of street furniture in a number of public spaces within the town, as well as funds to support street entertainment, which has led to live entertainment taking place on the streets each Wednesday and Saturday since mid June and is scheduled to continue to early September.
Cork County Council has welcomed and accepted a number of applications from members of Skibbereen’s business community for the placement of street furniture outside of commercial premises. Licenses have been awarded on a temporary basis with fees waived for the duration of the summer season.
Age Friendly parking spaces are being installed in the town centre to improve accessibility for elderly and vulnerable, ensuring Skibbereen is a safe place for everyone to visit and conduct their business.
Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Mary Linehan Foley congratulated the local community for working alongside Cork County Council to achieve these many improvements
“Measures taken in Skibbereen reflect the incredible bond in communities throughout the county. Our ability to come together and do what we can to improve our towns and villages is one of the greatest strengths we have in Cork and Skibbereen is just one example among many of what we can achieve when we pull together. We all have our part to play, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of the measures put in place, support your neighbours and local businesses as we continue to rise to the challenges of Covid 19. We can do this by shopping locally and supporting one another while adhering to public health advice.”
Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey added,
“This programme of works and public realm improvements, designed to deliver for the community and economy of Skibbereen Town and its hinterland, have been made possible by the phenomenal contributions from, and cooperation of, everyone involved in the Town Team, as well as support from the wider community. Similar measures are taking place in towns and villages through the county, individually tailored to meet the needs identified locally toensure the promotion of social distancing, maximisation of space for pedestrians and the enhancement of space for commercial activity.These measures show the resilience of our social and commercial spirit, and will foster growth for Cork County in these remarkable times.”
