Cork - Event Notice
Thursday January 01 1970

People's Picnic at the Old Head of Kinsale

cork | rights, freedoms and repression | event notice

Thursday August 17, 2006 10:49

by Free the Old Head of Kinsale

086-3004573

Fight for the Right to Roam

Another People's Picnic to protest for the return of public access to the Old Head of Kinsale, Co. Cork will be held at the scenic headland on Sunday, 3rd September 2006 from 2-4pm.

Previous People's Picnic at Old Head of Kinsale

The Old Head of Kinsale is one of Ireland's most stunning locations with panoramic views of the south and west Cork coastlines. It has a protected bird sanctuary and is also home to many other rare flora and fauna including Ireland's only reptile, the Common Lizard. The headland is reached through a narrow isthmus and there is a walk of over one kilometre to the Old Head of Kinsale lighthouse (pictured). At the entrance is the historic De Courcey's castle (ruin) and evidence of Iron Age settlement has been found at the Old Head.

Since 1997 all this has been denied to the public, despite the fact that people walked the headland for centuries. In that year a private and extremely exclusive Golf Links course was built on the Old Head of Kinsale by a company called Ashbourne Holdings, owned by John & Patrick O'Connor. A court case regarding the public right of way is currently pending.

Over the last number of years the Free the Old Head of Kinsale campaign has organised protests at the County Cork headland, demanding the restoration of public access. These have mostly taken the form of "People's Picnics" where members of the public bring along their sandwiches and tea (or whatever) and picnic outside the gates (or better still, inside on the Old Head itself). Despite the ban on public entry, the barbed wire, CCTV cameras and bullies employed by Ashbourne Holdings, assisted by Gardai, the Old Head has been walked and picniced upon on many occasions over the last few years.

The next People's Picnic is on Sunday, 3rd September 2006. This is an open invitation to all those who believe in the right to roam to come along. Bring colourful banners, music, etc (don't forget the picnic!). Assemble at the Old Head of Kinsale, 2.00pm. The majority of those attending will be from the Cork area, many of those from the greater Kinsale / West Cork area, but this denial of public access is an issue for everyone to be concerned about. To get to the Old Head of Kinsale from Cork city travel via the R660 (Kinsale / Airport) road to Kinsale, travel west from the town over the bridge taking the coast road towards Garrettstown. Look out for sign to left for "Old Head". Total distance from Cork approx 27 miles (43km).

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Comments (5 of 5)

Great to see the picnics are back!

by Fintan Lane - Irish Socialist Network

Thu Aug 17, 2006 12:45

I'm really glad to see that the Free the Old Head campaign is up and going again. Having attended a few picnics there myself since the gates went up, I'd certainly recommend this for a productive day out. Good fun, good cause.

Timing is Everything

by Tom O'Driscoll

Sun Sep 03, 2006 00:42

We all support this noble cause but surely the timing is all wrong. There's only one picnic tomorrow and that's in Croke Park. Jaysus, will the real Albert Einstein step forward.

Exclusive toff golfclubs are denying public access to the Nations heritiage

by cool j

Mon Sep 04, 2006 13:52

The old head of Kinsale issue symbolises the direction this country has taken with the wealthy and well connected carving up Irelands heritage for their own selfish benefit. Example include Carton house, Smurfits K-club, Palmerstown house and lands(already badly damaged by JIM Mansfield's new golf course - that particular individual is a real nasty piece of work and routinly bullies and threatens people who get in the way of his often illegal develompents) and current proplosal to destroy Lough Key forest part with a golf course and nearly 500 houses - the list goes on and on!!.

Well Tom

by Jim

Thu Sep 07, 2006 15:18

I don't ever recall seeing you there, All Ireland or otherwise.

A Visitor from Maine, USA.

by Sandy

Tue Mar 27, 2007 14:16

Such a lovely spot. I wish I had had more time to visit and learn the history of this beautiful spot in your beautiful Ireland. I hope it will return to being a spot for everyone to enjoy and visit.

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People's Picnic at the Old Head of Kinsale

Comments (5 of 5)