IFA representative Richard Connell and Dursey island farmer Martin Sheehan at Dursey Island Cable Car where Cork County Council has banned all animals including sheepdogs from using the cable car. Pic: Niall Duffy
A BAN on the carriage of all animals except guide dogs on the Dursey Island cable car to be introduced by Cork County Council will effectively put an end to farming on the island say local farmers.
The cable car, the only one in Ireland, has been used for years to take cattle and sheep across the treacherous waters of the 374m Dursey Sound that separates the island from the tip of the Beara Peninsula.
The carriage of animals in the cable car has become one of the iconic images of West Cork but now, due to health and safety regulations, no cows, calves or sheep will be allowed to use the cable car.
Scenes like this will be a thing of the past if Cork County Council get their way. Pic: Niall Duffy
Local farmer Martin Sheehan who was born on Dursey and keeps cattle on the island said the decision would “finish Dursey altogether”.
“Common sense has to prevail,” he told West Cork Times, “farmers will have to be allowed to use the cable car or farming on Dursey is finished”.
“A barge is just out of the question, it would not be practical even if it were provided for free because of problems with the weather and time to get from Castletownbere too”.
There are currently nine farmers with animals on the island with about 500 sheep and 80 cattle in total as well as five permanent residents.
“I grew up on Dursey and I want to keep farming on Dursey and I want my two sons to be able to farm there too,” said Mr Sheehan.
The farmers are meeting with IFA officials tonight.
The decision to ban all animals except guide dogs from using the cable car follows a decision last October to limit the use of the cable car to only carry animals of 400kg and under.
West Cork Times is still awaiting an official response from Cork County Council though they have said previously that an alternative ferry service is being put in place and their only concern is with the safety of all who use the cable car.
We are in the process of renovating an old farm house on Dursey, but we aren’t farmers. I find it crazy that health&safety concerns can, from one day to the next, end a vital service that the local farmers depend on. There must be a way to solve this sensibly over a period of time without threatening their livelihoods.
The following is an extract of an email I sent to Local politician Noel Harrington on the 7th Sept. “I would like a copy of the minutes of the Parliamentary Party meeting in Galway of where you highlighted the issues to your political colleagues and their response to it.
I think It is imperative that we get moving on this issue as soon as possible because if we are armed with the relevant information we will be able to make a strong case to stop any negative interference with the cable-car. I also feel there is a sever lack of consultation and communication between County Council staff directly involved with these changes and Locals/Islanders. This shows both a lack of respect and interest in getting local input to something that will ultimately effect them”. To date I have not recieved any response from Noel.
The Cable Car has 43 years unblimished safety record. Health and Safety is not the issue! In a report entitled “Report on works carried out on Dursey Island Cable car on the June 1st & 2nd 2011″ it states that “30 number blocks which weighed 577.78kg (1,271 lbs) and ran the car out to the island station and back to the mainland station. We then checked all cables, ties and grip clips. Everything appeared in order. We then loaded an extra 20 number blocks on the car giving a load weight of 963kgs (2,118 lbs) and ran the car to the island station and back to the mainland station. Everything appeared to be in order”. In a track rope test on the 8th of October 2009 again weights were used and the comment that was made was that “operation ran smoothly”. The Council are trying to use Health and Safety as an excuse as they are currently trying to secure funding from Board Failte so they have to play to Board Failte’s demands. It is a crying shame because the majority of tourists enjoy observing animals being transported on the cable car.
?”Under the constitution the state is under a duty to protect your right to work and earn a livelihood from unjust attack” The blanket ban on animals being transported on the cable car is a blatant infringement on Islander’s rights to make a living.
The Dursey Island cable car has been in operation since 1969 and for the past 43 years has been used to transport people, goods and animals.
There was no prior consultation with the Islanders and in August 2011 two representatives from the Council came to Dursey Island and announced that the weight limits would be imposed and that cattle could no longer be transported but the cable car would still carry smaller animals. In recent times this status has changed to a NO ANIMALS policy.
The Council has made an alternative suggestion of a barge. This is not feasible due to two reasons:
1)In poor weather conditions Dursey Island sound consists of strong currents and thus it will not be able to travel;
2)In the event of an emergency and an animal needing to be taken off the island, the barge may not be made available.
Swimming cattle is not an option as they could potentially get hypothermia and a local vet has confirmed this in writing and he has forwarded it to the Council.
Islanders to date have not been informed of any alternative strategy or resolution.
?In addition to this, under the constitution the state is under a duty to protect your right to work and earn a livelihood from unjust attack The blanket ban on animals being transported on the cable car is a blatant infringement on Islander’s rights to make a living.
The Cable Car has 43 years unblemished safety record. Health and Safety is not the issue! In a report entitled “Report on works carried out on Dursey Island Cable car on the June 1st & 2nd 2011″ it states that “30 number blocks which weighed 577.78kg (1,271 lbs) and ran the car out to the island station and back to the mainland station. We then checked all cables, ties and grip clips. Everything appeared in order. We then loaded an extra 20 number blocks on the car giving a load weight of 963kgs (2,118 lbs) and ran the car to the island station and back to the mainland station. Everything appeared to be in order”. In a track rope test on the 8th of October 2009 again weights were used and the comment that was made was that “operation ran smoothly”. The Council are trying to use Health and Safety as an excuse as they are currently trying to secure funding from Board Failte so they have to play to Board Failte’s demands. It is a crying shame because the majority of tourists enjoy observing animals being transported on the cable car.
Research has shown that grazing semi-natural grassland is essential to maintain their biodiversity, if farming practices are ended on the island it will have major environmental consequences.
Yours, etc.
Gerald Murphy
Kilmichael,
Dursey Island,
Beara,
Co. Cork
Go Uncle Martin!! This is ridiculous and they seem to just make up the rules as they go along…… we back you up 100% from your family in New Zealand ,,,,,,,,,
I have been to Dursey Island twice, and think the cable car and the farming on the island are a charming and unique feature and cultural aspect/way of life. I loved using the cablecar
I understand that Cork Co Council may have a good reason for the restriction, but some transparency about why would not be amiss when people’s way of life is being changed.
Manoj
I Tried the other year to use the very reliable cable car which crosses over to Dursey Island, but i was informed it was out of use by the operator on the mainland.
As the cable car passed over my head i asked him again when the broken cable car would be fixed so i as a visiter could cross over to the Island.
It wont be fixed for some time the operator informed me as the locals were boarding on the other side,bring on the boats.