Ringaskiddy
| Ringaskiddy Irish: Rinn an Scidígh | |
| County Cork | |
|---|---|
 A ferry in Ringaskiddy Harbour | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | W774642 |
| Location: | 51°49’49"N, 8°19’9"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 580 (2016) |
| Local Government | |
Ringaskiddy is a village in County Cork, standing on the western side of Cork Harbour, south of Cobh and nine miles from Cork city, to which it is connected by the N28 road.
The village is a port with passenger ferry, with two bi-weekly sailings to Roscoff in France. A ferry service to Swansea in Glamorgan closed in 2012.[1][2]
The name of the village is from the Irish Rinn an Scidígh, meaning 'Skiddy's Headland'.[3]
During the 20th century, Ringaskiddy changed from a fishing village to a centre of transport and industrial activity. It is now one of the largest employment hubs in the pharmaceuticals sector in the region.[4] The village is close to a number of tourist areas, including Crosshaven, Curraghbinny and Monkstown. A motorway project, to connect Cork city with Ringaskiddy, was given the "green light" by the supreme court in March 2021.[5]
About the village
Barnahely Castle, later known as Warren's Castle, is located near Ringaskiddy.[6] Originally the site of an Anglo-Norman castle, a new fortification was built here during the 15th or 16th century. In 1796, the site was bought and a mansion house (incorporating the remnants of the earlier castle) was built by the Warren family. The remaining ruins of the castle include a rectangular bawn.[7]
A Martello tower sits on a hilltop at Ringaskiddy, and is one of several other forts and towers designed to protect Cork Harbour.[8] It is accessed via the Loughbeg road and overlooks the harbour.
There are two beaches near Ringaskiddy: Lough beach (also known locally as Luc beach) and Gobby beach. Lough beach, a sandy beach with shallow water, is served by an access path and seasonal toilet facilities. Gobby beach is a rocky beach with direct views over Spike Island.
Amenities in Ringaskiddy, and nearby Shanbally, include a church, primary school, shop, preschool and community centre.
Ringaskiddy has a café and bar/restaurant (the Ferry Boat Inn).
The National Maritime College of Ireland was officially opened in Ringaskiddy in 2006, and has drawn a student population to the village.[9] The college provides the only training in Ireland of Merchant Navy personnel, and the Irish Naval Service also carry out their non-naval training there.[10] The Irish Naval Service base at Haulbowline is two miles from Ringaskiddy.
Sport
- Gaelic Athletics: Shanbally GAA
References
- ↑ "Ferry prepares for Irish Sea link". BBC News. 2 February 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_west/8491784.stm.
- ↑ "Swansea-Cork ferry: Fastnet Line to close service with loss of 78 jobs". BBC News. 2 February 2012. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-16854680.
- ↑ Ringaskiddy / Rinn an Scidígh: Placenames Database of Ireland
- ↑ "Cork is playing a major role in the pharma industry". Evening Echo. 25 September 2018. https://www.eveningecho.ie/corknews/Cork-is-playing-a-major-role-in-the-pharma-industry-a6d67efb-7db1-415a-b896-65dcfd2e56f4-ds.
- ↑ "M28 project: 'While needed, this motorway will have a very, very live and real impact on people’s homes'". The Echo. 29 March 2021. https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-40253504.html.
- ↑ "Barnahely, Near Ringaskiddy". Castles in County Cork (Vol. 03, no. 05). https://www.corklocalstudies.ie/items/show/3988.
- ↑ "Castle Warren". https://www.castles.nl/castle-warren.
- ↑ "Ringaskiddy Martello Tower, Ringaskiddy, County Cork". National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=CO®no=20987047.
- ↑ "NMCI Student Accommodation". National Maritime College of Ireland. https://www.nmci.ie/accomoda.
- ↑ "Irish Naval Service Course Details". National Maritime College of Ireland. http://www.nmci.ie/index.cfm/page/ins.