The ‘Diving Rock’ on Lighthouse Hill, traditionally a male only bastion, is well known to the people of Youghal. For hundreds of years it has, and continues to be used by many of the local residents on a regular, all year round basis.
Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

Forty nine steps lead from the Lighthouse Hill, just beside the Lighthouse, down to the rocky area below where nature has formed a natural pool between two rocks which measures about 20 metres wide. This pool is filled by the tide from a natural opening in the rocks, and the safety of this pool would appear to be beyond question. For those more experienced and stronger swimmers, the choice exists to either stay within the confines of the pool or to venture further out into the ocean.

On May 28th last, the people of Youghal were horrified to witness the erection of ugly, hardboard ‘doors’ which completely close off entry to the Atlantic ocean from anywhere on the Lighthouse Hill. Some time ago, the viewing area furthest up Lighthouse Hill was closed off for health and safety reasons. Now, the remaining two entries are also boarded up, denying any access of any description to the natural rocky area and tiny beach below. This action at any time of the year would appear to be damning, but coming at the start of the summer season makes it all the more unbelievable.

The East Cork Journal spoke with Liam Ryan, Town Clerk, Youghal Town Council who explained the situation. “ In November of 2009,” he said “ the Safety Section of Cork County Council, when reviewing the area, requested a Report from the Irish Water Safety on the ‘Diving Rock’ area.

The report was received by Youghal Town Council last week and included, among others, the following;

*The diving board area is 3 metres above the rocks at low tide, which is insufficient for the safety of swimmers. The board is almost at water level at high tide

*The incoming tide, if surging, could trap swimmers under the cat walk areas which link rock to rock.

*The access steps are of different heights and are in a poor state of repair.

*the pathway to the diving area would be hard to manoeuvre with a stretcher or any other emergency piece of equipment

The recommendation received by Youghal Town Council from Irish Water Safety is that ‘the diving area is very unsafe and access to the area should be closed off from the public’.

Mr Ryan confirmed that, on review of the Report, the Town Council hade no alternative but to close the area, restricting entry completely. Refusal to close the area would cause the Council to be wholly negligent in the event of an accident. He also stated that the area must remain closed off to the public until these issues have been addressed. How long this could take is anybody’s guess.

Michael Treacy, proprietor of The Nook Bar and Restaurant, lives on Lighthouse Hill and he told the East Cork Journal that he and his family have been using the Diving Rock all their lives. “There can be no denying that the presence of rocks on any beach can present danger, he said, but people have been using this Diving Rock for more than a hundred years and in all that time, not even one accident has been reported. The dangers of entering water for swimming or fishing purposes presents danger no matter where you are, and one must always be aware of this.” Michael went on to say that you could say danger exists on the five mile beach where the breakers are like spears, and in Greenhole where there is a huge drop of 6’ to 8’ which also presents danger. Are they going to close down the beach and Greenhole next? Michael asks.

Johnny Fitzgibbons, another Youghal resident and businessman, told the East Cork Journal that this area has been used for as long as he can remember. He, himself, has always liked the idea of using it and cannot understand how somebody, somewhere can decide – after one hundred years of accident free use- that it is a danger and must be closed and boarded off. “Why now?” Johnny asks. “And why so suddenly, without prior notice or announcement to the people?” “This is not right”, he said.

The entire area of Lighthouse Hill has come under scrutiny and criticism in recent months, and there is no doubt that work needs to be done to make it safer and more user friendly. Does this necessitate the complete closure of entry to one of Youghal’s much loved and frequently used areas which, up to Friday last, was used on a daily basis by people from all different areas in the town? What makes the surging sea more dangerous now than it was last year or the year before? Who, among those frequent users, are not aware of dangers that exist everywhere – not just in this tiny, private, exclusive swimming ‘hole’ that has meant so much to so many for a long, long time. And who, or how, can solve the problematic areas of surging tides and water height?

In fact, who in Youghal can turn the tide? – Photos www.youghalonline.com