Cork Harbour

[jungle]

Mr Ronan is principal of Enfer Scientific Ltd in Co Kildare

With enfer being French for hell, it's not a word you want associated with a crematorium

[KerryBog2]

With enfer being French for hell, it's not a word you want associated with a crematorium

He's also a hide and skin merchant....
KB2

[Praxiteles]

With enfer being French for hell, it's not a word you want associated with a crematorium

Touché !!

[samuel j]

1st photo courtesy of the THE_Chris from 2003

Spot the Ringaskiddy skyline difference to 2006.....

Makes a joke of the planning guidelines we hear about...maintaining the skyline my eye...

[Praxiteles]

From this morning's quondam Cork Examiner:

29 January 2007

Three firms vie for Whitegate Oil

By Sean McSaibhris
THREE companies have emerged as possible buyers for the Cork-based Whitegate Oil Refinery, the sale of which was announced by its owner Conoco- Philips last week.

The European oil business, Petroplus Holdings — which is listed on the Swiss stock exchange and owns oil refineries in Switzerland, Belgium and England — is understood to be the favourite to take over the ownership and running of Whitegate, which is being valued at between €300 million and €380m.

Canadian company, Irving Oil has also been mentioned as a potential bidder — the company has, apparently, considered the possibility of buying the Cork operation on a number of occasions over the last decade.

The other name in the frame is that of Topaz, the company which now owns both the Shell and Statoil businesses in Ireland. Irving was also, reportedly, one of the bidders for the Statoil operations here, so could be keen on buying in Ireland still. Topaz’s network ownership here — through Shell and Statoil — means that it could end up buying the majority of oil produced by the Whitegate refinery.

Petroplus is keen to expand its European oil refinery assets and in its chief executive Thomas D O’Malley, the Irish-American businessman, has an individual who knows all about Whitegate.

He was head of Tosco-Philips (which later merged with Conoco) in 2001 when the Government sold Whitegate and the Whiddy Oil Terminal, on behalf of the Irish National Petroleum Company, to the American company for €117m. Petroplus is believed to have already held informal negotiations with Conoco-Philips with regard to Whitegate and is understood to be preparing a bid for the business.

The company, which employs around 1,100 people, floated in Switzerland last month, raising more than $2.4 billion (€1.84bn) in the process. Management wants to double the size of the business within the next three years, so is extremely keen to grow via acquisition in the short term.

Whitegate’s foreseeable future is secure whatever the outcome. The refinery is capable of producing more than 70,000 barrels of oil per day and made an operating profit of $47m in 2005 on a turnover of $1.7bn.

As part of any takeover deal, it must remain operational as a fully commercial entity for at least 15 years, which means any new owner could not close it down.

Conoco-Philips gave no reason, last week as to why it wishes to sell Whitegate — which supplies to Ireland and numerous European markets. It does, however, intend to keep ownership of the Whiddy Oil Terminal in Bantry Bay.

[Praxiteles]

From this morning's quondam ork Examiner:


10 February 2007

From prison fortress to island of dreams

NOW that Justice Minister Michael McDowell has turned his sights to Kilworth army camp for his new prison, Spike Island is ripe for some use of more benefit to Cork Harbour tourism and the people of the area.

Perhaps Mr McDowell could get together with his colleague Micheál Martin and consider an integrated development for Haulbowline and Spike to include Mr Martin’s ambitious plans for residential, commercial and tourism development on Haulbowline and the heritage park that is Spike Island.

Inhabited since at least the 7th century, site of an early Christian church and home to a well-preserved 18th century star-shaped fort, Spike is a beautiful, relatively unspoilt island ideal as a centre for presenting the heritage of the harbour area to residents and visitors alike. With so much heritage already in place there, we just need to open the doors and invite people in.

No major strain on the taxpayers’ purse would be required.

Norcott Roberts

Sydenham Cottage

Monkstown

Co Cork.

[THE_Chris]

As long as they dont make it Rushbrooke II for estates

[Sirius]

Makes a joke of the planning guidelines we hear about...maintaining the skyline my eye...

I dont get the joke, Sam.

The site has been zoned for the past 30 years and millions of public money have been spent on providing infrastructure for a large scale industrial development at this location. Did you honestly believe it would never be developed?

[samuel j]

It has indeed, this site and many sites in that area, including the future Port of Cork. I've no problem with this industrial zoned area, we badly need industry ......

No my point is the actual height of this structure, which from many angles exceeds the skyline. Perhaps I am wrong does not skyline interference not come into most areas applications.

Yes we need industry and of course this and many more sites will be developed but why go skywards on an already elevated site when surrounding land is not exactly tight....

You try put a windfarm on such a site or TV/Aerials and you would be told 101 skylines yarns and negative thpughts

I just don't understand why industrial sites seem to be exempt from such height rules or considerations when you/I could not build anything that interferes with the skyline.

Maybe there is no need for such rules but why do they only apply to some of us and not all...

[corcaighboy]

Interesting ten minute footage of Cork Harbour from a recent RTE Nationwide show. Topic concerns the history of Camden and Carlisle Forts, as well as Collins Barracks, Haulbowline and even Charlesfort. Some great footage and an interesting discussion. Interesting to note the sash windows are still in place in both Collins Barracks and Haulbowline!

http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0618/nationwide.html

[goldiefish]

To correct you again, the sash windows in Collins Barracks you see are PVC.

The only sash windows you see on Haulbowline are those in semi derilict buildings, and all of those on the three occupied, north facing stonehouses have been replaced with PVC type.

[samuel j]

Howard Holdings Passage West plan now online at : http://www.pwtc.ie/

[Gianlorenzo]

Chris!

As a small consolation, I came across this and thought you might be interested. The status quo ante: WIlliam Bartlett's lithograph of Cove of Cork from c. 1840 showing Haulbowlin with Mrs. Deane's provisioning buildings, Spike, I think, and charming party somewhere above Westbeach:

Breaking news. The middle building of the three on the right in this lithographis right now going up in flames. It started a few hours ago and is still burning.

[samuel j]

Yes indeed, many fire engines now in attendance and tug Gerry O'Sullivan using her pumps to try from sea.
The wind not helping and due to get strong over next hour before some drop.
Thoughts go to all those out there tonight fighting the fire and hope all will be safe and they have some success in saving these magnificent buildings.

[jungle]

It's not pretty, but it's not as bad as some reports had made me fear

[Gianlorenzo]

Apparently this building had just been renovated. I did hear on the radio today talk of restoration. Thanks be to God.

[samuel j]

Partly was GZ I gather.
Very lucky the wind was in direction it was and the large fuel tanks for the Navy were upwind.
Think the tug Gerry O'Sullivan did a great job, giving a large overall spray to the other buildings downwind as all these were thankfully saved.
great job by all services for keeping it to th one building.

Lets just hope that funds become available to restore it to its former glory

[samuel j]

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc5E_ARr3OQ

[samuel j]

Roof and floors gone but lets hope funds can be found to restore it .

[goldiefish]

So it seems there may be more toxic substances on Haulbowline than initially thought....

Or so the Minister for green things is saying.

Those involved in the cleanup disagree with his account of things though.

It seems the green method for disposing of toxic waste is to cap it, and hope it goes away of its own accord.

[davea]

From RTE

Spike Island to become tourist attraction
Tuesday, 28 July 2009 11:01
"The Government has agreed to hand over control of Spike Island to Cork County Council.

The council has plans for a tourist attraction to be opened on the site of the former Fort Mitchel prison.

A statement from the Department of Justice confirmed that negotiations will now take place between it and the council to bring about the necessary transfer of ownership.

AdvertisementMaking the announcement, Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said: 'I believe that it is important to unlock any tourism potential of the island to the immediate benefit of the Cork and Munster region generally.

'I would like to thank all those involved in Cork County Council for their willingness to actively explore the tourism potential of the island.'

Fort Mitchel was handed over to the Department of Justice by the Department of Defence in 1985.

It had a maximum capacity for 102 prisoners until its closure in 2004.

It was first used as a place of confinement in the 17th century following the end of the Cromwellian wars when it was used to hold prisoners to be transported to the West Indies and Australia. "

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0728/spikeisland.html

This is great news, for Cork harbour and Cork in general. Hopefully the council can actually pull this all together, they were handed control of Fort Camden in the 80s with a view to establishing a military museum there and it has gone completely ignored. I was there recently, it is also still in relatively good condition, just overgrown really. There could be huge tourism potential between the two forts, Crosshaven, Cobh, the city, and wasn't Michael martin harping on about building some hotel, conference centre place on Haulbowline are year or two ago? (before the whole pollution thing there anyway). Some decent ferry services could really bring the harbour area to life. However, could be 10, 20 years who knows!