The team has been working hard since March.

Now the final push is underway to get Ballycotton’s newest dinner spot fired up before the balmy days of summer begin in earnest.

With opening day looming at the start of June, Big Blue is taking over the spot where Skinny’s Diner once lived, a prime position in the middle of town. The menu will be straightforward and delicious; thin-based pizza, made and stretched to order, house French fries and homemade ketchup, ice cream, and drinks, with coffee to follow later in the summer.

What more do you need after a dip in the sea?

Now under new management with well-known pizza pie pro Ben Harvey at the helm, the seaside pizzeria has a couple of tables out front for people-watching, but the back garden will be the place to nab a perch this summer.

Ben, who lives nearby with his family, had been on the lookout for the perfect venue for his pizzeria for a while:

“It felt like now or never to venture out on my own and luckily for me Big Blue in Ballycotton came along,” he told Yay Cork.

“Previously known as Skinny’s it has a long and popular history, serving fish and chips with a spectacular view out to sea in the garden. I felt it was time to breathe a bit of new life into it and bring some different offerings.

“There are plenty of amazing delicious places in the village to get fish and chips and other tasty treats, so it makes sense to offer up something new and exciting. The reaction has only been positive and we are looking forward to opening and making Big Blue a delicious, friendly, and memorable place to visit.”

A small local crew including Ben’s eldest son is ready to get started with an opening day to be announced in the coming week or so.

Rows of simple picnic tables are arranged so all diners can enjoy the spectacular sea views and kids can ramble about safely.

Follow Big Blue Pizza on Instagram for regular launch updates.