As Youghal and East Cork gets ready to welcome over 2600 athletes, along with families, friends, supporters and spectators, for one of the world’s most prestigious sporting competition, the International Ironman triathlon, Cork County Council is finalising its preparations to ensure that this huge event goes off swimmingly.
Cork County Council, as main event sponsor, has invested significantly in getting Youghal race-ready. Recognising the immediate economic benefits and the potential legacy for East Cork, the Council has invested in road improvements and overhauled the beach at Clay Castle. With the official opening of the €12.5m Youghal Wastewater Treatment Plant last September both Irish Water and Cork County Council have ensured the high quality of Water standards required by Ironman will be met.
Water standards are a vital component for IRONMAN with the race getting underway early Sunday morning with a 3.8km (2.4-mile) swim. Setting off in the clean waters of the golden, sandy Claycastle beach in Youghal Bay, competitors are promised a rolling start here with the beach gently shelving off into the sea.
The Youghal Waste Water Treatment plant, on the Breton Road, delivered as an EPS/Sorensen joint venture in partnership with Irish Water, Cork County Council and other stakeholders has resulted in significant improvements in water quality in the area.
The investment in the new modern and sustainable wastewater treatment plant is part of an overall investment in wastewater infrastructure of approximately €22.8m. EPS will operate and maintain the wastewater facility for a period of 20 years on behalf of Irish Water. Cork County Council also anticipate that this facility will strongly support the return of Blue Flags into the future for Claycastle and Youghal
IRONMAN competitors working for Cork County Council, Irish Water and EPS will take to Claycastle on June 23rd and in wishing them well, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, deputising for the County Mayor commented, “This is huge event for Youghal, delivering a significant economic impact to East Cork with the potential to drive the entire region as a premier activity-based visitor destination in the country. We will welcome competitors from all over the world and expect an estimated €8 million economic boost to the local economy. The success of this event reflects the impact of long term infrastructural investment by Cork County Council and Irish Water.”
For further information on the Ironman event see http://eu.ironman.com