Location: Goleen & District Community Council spans the Mizen Peninsular incorporating the District Electoral Divisions of Crookhaven, Goleen, Toormore, Dunmanus and Lowertown. Goleen village, the gateway and focal point is situated 14 miles from the village of Schull and over 80 miles from Cork City. One of the peripheral peninsulas along the West Cork coastline, it is endowed with spectacular scenery, but also the inherent problems of such areas - poor land, residue effects of emigration, limited employment opportunities and a decline in the primary sectors such as agriculture and fishing.

Population/Employment: The total population of the five District Electoral Divisions (DEDs) is 1069 according to the 1996 census. A Demographic Analysis of West Cork, West Cork LEADER (1999). Due to the large number of holiday homes in the area the population increases dramatically between 35% - 55% engaged in such activity in the Crookhaven and Goleen DEDs’, however, this has fallen from 45% - 55% in 1991 reflecting the general trends in the sector. The population between 91 - 96 has not changed. Goleen has a 19% under 15 population compared to a Cork County average of 25% and a 15-24 percentage of 9% opposed to a Cork average of 14%. Goleen has a 17% population of 65+ compared to a Cork average of 13%. This would seem to indicate a number of retired residents moving into the area.

Tourism is an important employment base though still of a very seasonal nature. Since 1994 the Mizen Vision has successfully developed the now automated Mizen Lighthouse into a major tourist attraction and recently secured a further LEADER grant of £200,000 to add to the existing facilities. This project was also awarded in the Rural Tourism Small Business Enterprise section of the national AIB & Irish Farmers’ Journal Rural Tourism Awards. A pontoon and moorings were constructed in Crookhaven in 1998 to enhance water based activities (part funded by LEADER). Many people travel to work in the neighbouring towns of Bantry and Skibbereen.

Services: There are a number of shops, pubs, restaurants and guest houses servicing the area. There is a hotel at Barleycove and the Mizen Tourism Co-Op operates a tourist information and telecottage service. A bus service runs to and from Cork daily, there is a surgery and health centre, a Garda station and mobile library service. Sheltered housing has been provided in the village through the Community Care group. Primary education is available in the village and at Lissagriffin, the nearest secondary school is in Schull.

Voluntary Activity: Approximately 20 groups are active in the area ranging from GAA, ICA, Bowling Association to an Active Retirement Assoc. and the IFA. Both the Cliff and Inshore Rescue groups provide an invaluable service for this large stretch of coastline. The Mizen Tourism Co-Op has been active and successful in securing funding and new services in the area i.e. Telecottage, Mizen Vision.