DUNMANWAY is getting a new fire station with formal planning for the project set to begin next year.

Cork County Council has identified a preferred site close to the Brookpark Business Centre on the Clonakilty road offering easy access to Dunmanway’s road network, and officials at the local authority are working to have the project progressed by 2026.

‘This is really welcome news for Dunmanway and the wider West Cork region. For over 75 years, Dunmanway’s firefighters have served with commitment and bravery, often from facilities that no longer meet modern needs,’ said Cork South West TD Christopher O’Sullivan.

‘The firefighters here provide an incredible service not just locally, but across neighbouring towns including Macroom, Bandon, Clonakilty, Skibbereen, and Bantry. This project is an important investment in their safety, in their ability to respond quickly, and in the future resilience of West Cork’s emergency services.

‘The new station will finally give them the facilities and space they deserve to continue their vital work safely and effectively.’

The Dunmanway brigade responds to an average of 101 incidents annually, broken down to 35 turnouts to fires, 55 turnouts to special service incidents (including road traffic collisions) and ten false alarms.

The current Dunmanway fire station was first opened in 1948 and has one bay station and no prospect of expansion at the current site.

There is no designated parking available for firefighters responding to incident alerts.

Current facilities cannot accommodate mandated increased crewing levels to a minimum of 12 firefighters.

Cork County Council has requested the inclusion of Dunmanway in the 2026-2030 five-year programme.