Crosshaven: Playground of The Rich by Annette J Dunlea
Published in The Carrigdhoun Newspaper 31st July 2010 p.9
The coastal village of Crosshaven was once a health spa where people came from all over the country for rest and relaxation. Since it has undergone significant building and business investment it is now one of the most prestigous commuter towns from Cork City. It is conviently located only 4 miles from the town of Carrigaline and 9 miles from Cork City. When Ford factory in Cork was at its peak people built timber holiday homes in the bays around Crosshaven. These shacks are no longer in existence and were replaced with concrete architecturally designed houses during the Celtic Tiger. Sites even in this recession are selling for €500,000. In recent years it has become famous for its Cork Week, Crosshaven Challenge and Piper’s Amusements. It is situated at the mouth of Cork harbour. It has some beautiful historical buildings, beautiful walks and views of Cobh and Currabinny Woods and lovely sandy beaches. The Celtic Tiger brought it many of the public facilities and amentities it needed. It has 2 churches, schools : primary and secondary, Catholic and Protestant, a medical centre, chemist, Centra supermarket, shops, a florist, cafe, pubs and restaurants. In Centra there is a bakery, butcher counter, deli, ATM machine, post office and aisles of food. There is also a chipper, a Chinese restaurant, hairdressers, bus service, taxi service, boat hire and the credit union. Cronins have a beautiful pub and the Mad Fish restaraunt. Thelcia’s art gallery sells locally produced pictures and unique gifts. Myrtleville is home to the award winning restaurant Bunnyconellan. It is unrecognisable from the quiet town I used visit as a child. It is a buzz with locals and visitors and it has a sense of community and friendliness which has been lost in many places. Summer visitors usually come and stay in their yachts and boats. Others rent a local house, stay in a B&B or in Fountainstown Caravan Park. A newspaper called The Carrigdhoun covers all the local news and events and it is published every Wednesday. The Residents Association also publishes a local newsletter and this is on sale in most of the shops. Once a week it is visited by the mobile library. These coastal marine village has great fishing and seafood restaurants but it has many other tourist attractions that must be seen: Fort Camden, The Holy Wells, The Lime Kilns, Crosshaven House and Royal Cork Yacht Club. All year round there is weekly bingo, cards, choir and music at weekends during the summer they plan nightly events. On Saturdays in the town carpark there is a farmers market selling organic and home produced products, here people exhange advice and catch up on the local news. Sports play a major part of the residents lives: there is a pitch and putt club, soccer, football, camogie, hurling, basketball, horseriding, angling, fishing, sailing and tennis clubs. It has a number of marinas, boatyards and a chandlery. It has become one of many sailors’ favourite stopping ports. So next time you want to go for a Sunday spin go to Crosshaven and enjoy it for yourself. The End
