A state-of-the-art fire station has been officially opened in Clonakilty, serving more than 18,000 people.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was performed by the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley, Christopher '’Sullivan, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Cork County Council Chief Executive, Moira Murrell.

The new facility on Park Road replaces the long-serving station on Kent St., which had been home to Clonakilty Fire Brigade for over 80 years.

Clonakilty Fire Brigade attends around 150 incidents annually, including house and commercial fires, road traffic collisions, chimney fires, and gorse, hill and grass fires. The station is crewed locally by 12 personnel: a station officer, sub-station officer, two driver mechanics and eight firefighters.

The 310m2 building includes an appliance bay for two fire engines and a domestic section housing the watch room, muster bay, kitchenette, lecture/training room and ancillary spaces.

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Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley, said: "This new fire station is a valuable addition to Clonakilty. It serves Clonakilty and a wide hinterland including nearby villages of Rosscarbery, Timoleague, Courtmacsherry, Ballinscarthy, Ring, Ardfield and Rathbarry. Clonakilty Fire Brigade also responds regularly to incidents in adjacent station ground areas of Skibbereen, Dunmanway and Bandon. The old facility at Kent St which underwent a redevelopment in 1975 and the former station on the same site has served the area well for just over 80 years. The new station on Park Rd is much larger and has more modern facilities which is of huge assistance to the work this Brigade does."

Christopher O'Sullivan, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said: "Clonakilty Fire Brigade, along with all the stations in County Cork, respond to a wide range of emergency incidents from house fires, commercial fires, road traffic collisions, chimney fires as well as gorse fires, hill and grass fires. This new station has improved facilities to support Clonakilty Fire Brigade in their work to deliver effective emergency and fire safety response to the community far into the future. This long-term investment through the Department’s Fire Services Capital Programme not only ensures the continued development of the infrastructure of fire stations, but also provides further investment in vehicle fleets, specialist equipment and command and control capability, reflecting the importance we place on fire safety in terms of our citizens and property."

The construction contract, valued at €2.25 million, was awarded to Cahalane Construction following a competitive tender and was funded by the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government.