Tourists are bypassing one of Ireland's most important historical sites because there is not enough safe parking places for coaches, tourism operators have warned.
They are calling on Cork County Council to make more parking available at Béal na Bláth, the ambush site where Michael Collins was shot dead on 22 August 1922.
Tim Crowley, of the Michael Collins Centre and Museum at Castleview Hill, Ballinoroher outside Clonakilty, wants to see more tourists stopping at Béal na Bláth.
"There was tremendous work done here by the council four years ago for the centenary of Michael Collins," he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland.
But, he said, the lack of adequate coach parking is undermining tourism because there are safety concerns during the busy summer months when the site is busy.
"We do need a little bit more parking spaces here just for safety and to encourage visitors to come here," he said.
Bus drivers have told Mr Crowley they are avoiding the site because of safety fears. Buses sometimes need to double park on the busy road.
"Drivers, in particular coach drivers, would have said to me, look, they don't come here because they're afraid they can't pull in. Now, most of the year it's not an issue. but certainly in July and August, there'd be big crowds here, especially at weekend," Mr Crowley said.
He believes a relatively modest extension of the Béal na Bláth parking area could solve the problem.
"The amount of space that here is quite limited. There's room maybe for six or seven cars. If two coaches come at the one time, the place is full. Thirteen or 14 metres of parking space would make a major difference," he said, calling for an additional coach parking bay to be added.
The local historian and museum owner also called for upgraded visitor information at the historic site, including digital content signs for tourists.
"There needs to be Improved interpretation at the site. One or two more signs, possibly with QR codes that people can zap them with their phones and get into loads of information, film, all that kind of stuff," he said.
John Galvin, of Galvin Coaches in Dunmanway, said visitors from the United States in particular are eager to see the place where Michael Collins died.
His company operates 30 coaches and runs extensive overseas tour programmes catering for visitors from the US, Germany and Austria, as well as cruise passengers arriving into Youghal and Kinsale.
He said parking difficulties are forcing drivers to reconsider stopping at Béal na Bláth.
"A lot of our coaches will come here to find that the car parking facilities are full, therefore... we have no place to park when we get here," Mr Galvin said.
The lack of parking is "major disincentive for people coming here if there is no parking", he said.
"It would be a disincentive for us from a health and safety point of view, as in my drivers are not in a position to jeopardise their passengers by double parking at the site if the car parking facilities are full.
"My message to the council is that Galvin's Coaches are quite happy to bring tourists to this site provided there is coach parking available to them and we can drop the people safely and they won't have to cross the road," he added.
This year's Béal na Bláth commemoration takes place on Sunday 23 August, marking 104 years since Collins was killed in one of the defining moments of the Civil War.
Cork County Council said has no plans for additional parking.
In a statement, it said: "In relation to tourist and information signage, interpretive signage is currently provided at the site, including an information plate and map which formed part of the original design scheme for the monument.
"Cork County Council installed a comprehensive signage scheme in 2021 titled 'The Michael Collins Trail'.
"This scheme links a number of key historic locations associated with Michael Collins across the county, including Béal na Bláth, and provides clear directional signage for visitors travelling to the site.
"Cork County Council’s Roads and Transportation Department has identified deteriorated sections of the L‑2011 adjacent to the monument. Patching works are due to take place at this location, and it is intended to consider the area for inclusion in an upcoming road resurfacing programme, subject to funding and prioritisation under the council’s roads programme.
"Cork County Council will continue to monitor infrastructure requirements in the area in conjunction with relevant Council departments.
"There are no plans at present for the provision of additional parking in the area."
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