News
Macroom bypass to fully open on Monday
One of the country’s most eagerly anticipated road projects - Macroom Bypass – is due to fully open on Monday.
The final section of the Macroom bypass between Ballyvourney and Ballymakeera is all but complete and can expect to see its first traffic on Monday morning.
Traffic will now by-pass the villages of Ballyvourney and Ballymakerra shortening the distance between Cork city and Killarney.
The project has been completed ahead of its 2024 schedule.
Cork County Council signed contracts with two Irish firms, Jons Civil Engineering Ltd and John Cradock Ltd, in November 2019 for a total budget of €280 million, in what was the largest single investment by government in the region at the time.
Work started in January 2020 with up to 260 construction staff employed on site at the peak of the project and continuing throughout the Covid pandemic.
In December 2020, seven precast concrete bridge beams, the longest ever for Ireland and the UK at 49.9 metres in length, made their way to Macroom with the assistance of a Garda escort over 4 nights.
With only 200mm height to spare traveling through the Jack Lynch Tunnel, one of the biggest challenges was reversing the 155 tonne beams into position with only inches to spare at the existing stone arch “New Bridge” in Macroom. The new section of road consists of two lanes in each direction separated by a steel median barrier. A total of 48 principal structures were built including three river bridges, three overbridges and four under bridges, walls, culverts and environmental barriers for noise reduction and 132,000 square metres of pavement.
FESTIVAL HIT: Local accordion virtuoso Liam O’Connor pictured performing alongside his family band members, daughter Saoirse on vocals and keyboards, and sons Oisín on guitar and Cillian on drums, during their high-energy set on the Salty Dog Stage at Electric Picnic in Stradbally last weekend. Photos: Paul Dargan
Camera Club exhibition opens at Killarney House
Killarney Camera Club’s 25th anniversary exhibition is open to the public at Killarney House until Sunday, October 4.
Mayor of Killarney Councillor John O’Donoghue officially opened the event, which features a wide range of work from local photographers capturing landscapes, people, and moments from home and abroad.
Speaking at the opening, Mayor O’Donoghue highlighted the rich natural surroundings available to local photographers. “We are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the world, with dramatic mountains, lakes, rivers, forests, and a vibrant town centre, as well as beaches and open sea just a short distance away,” he said.
In a lighthearted admission, the Mayor admitted to storing hundreds of photos on his phone, adding that seeing the standard of work on display inspired him “to finally print some of my own photographs for posterity.”
The club was founded in 2001 as the Photographic Society of Killarney at the Park Place Hotel before adopting its current name in 2006. Founding member Seamus Long recalled starting with just eight members, contrasting it with today’s membership of over 30 photographers who meet at the ANAM Arts and Cultural Centre.
“There is nothing better than seeing your images in print, mounted and framed and hanging on a wall,” Mr Long said, referencing the club’s shift from traditional darkrooms to modern digital photography.
To mark the anniversary, the club has published a commemorative booklet featuring 25 select images from members past and present. The limited-edition booklet is available at Eason’s and directly from the club.
The exhibition runs daily at Killarney House until October 4. Admission is free and all are welcome.
FESTIVAL HIT: Liam O’Connor at Electric Picnic – picture special
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Camera Club exhibition opens at Killarney House
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