Funds will help develop Bantry's sensory garden

A €25,500 grant under the government’s Clar programme is to be used to develop a sensory garden within Bantry’s Peace Park.

The park, which is located at the edge of the town on the Glengarriff Road, was originally created in 1986 by a former tidy towns group, with the assistance of the Town Commissioners.

For a number of years, the park was just a green space with a couple of benches, but last year Bantry Tidy Towns, under the chairmanship of Winnie O’Sullivan, took it to a whole new level.

‘We cleared the debris and installed a Muga – a multi-use games area for basketball and football – which cost in the region €60,000,’ she said.

‘As a result, the Peace Park has become a very inclusive place and has been in great demand all summer.

‘We have also done quite a lot of planting of native trees and fruit trees, as well as shrubs, flowers and a pollinator bed.’

Winnie said their long-term objective is to make this a go-to destination for young and old alike.

‘It is our intention that the new sensory garden will cater for both children and adults, with intellectual or physical disabilities, including clients at CoAction West Cork and the National Learning Network.’

A sum of €24,557 has also been granted to Ballymakeera Tidy Towns for a similar sensory garden in their area.