BEEING PRODUCTIVE
To mark World Bee Day today, TELUS International Ireland in Cork have introduced thousands of native Irish bees to their campus at their Mahon headquarters.
The move also includes the installation of two bee hives. The project is part of the company’s bid to protect local Biodiversity.
In order to repopulate urban areas with native high-quality bee colonies and raise awareness of the importance of bees, TELUS International have teamed up with An Beach Dubh, a beekeeping services company.
Horticultural Therapist at TELUS International Ireland Ciara Parsons, said in a recent interview, embracing the value of green spaces is a key mission of their Cork campus.
“The garden at our campus is gradually becoming a biodiverse haven. We’ve planted lots of native Irish wildflowers, banned the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides, and we’re letting the grass grow”.
“We’re fairly certain our new honey bee hives will be happy and healthy here in their new home. Our team places huge pride in our gardens, and the arrival of these bees will make our outdoor projects more sustainable.”
BEAUTY AROUND US
A local businessman left a section of garden to develop naturally as a Biodiversity area. And this is the result. What amazing photos. Such a wonderful sight.
Nature at its best.


LITTER PICK
There were nineteen Volunteers and four Transition Year Students out on Sunday morning for the weekly Litter Pick.
Sixteen bags of Litter were collected in total.
The Litter Pick covered the Wood Road and St. Oliver’s Cemetery and also the area from Carrigrohane to Classis.
There was a very upbeat atmosphere as many of our Volunteers are fully vaccinated.
It was lovely to see our Transition Year Students return. It felt like old times in many ways.
Six bags of grass cuttings were collected from Carrigdene.
Several Volunteers were picking litter during the week and they collected four bags of Litter, one bag of Glass and one bag of Cans.
SIGN CLEANING
Denis continued to clean signs around Ballincollig at the weekend. All his hard work has certainly paid off. The place is looking like its old self.
A LITTLE BIRDIE TOLD US
Huge Congratulations to our dear friend and stalwart Volunteer BRENDAN MURPHY who celebrated a very significant Birthday on Saturday last.
We look forward to marking the occasion in the coming weeks when restrictions are lifted further.
PAIRC CHUIL RUA
John, Adrian and Anthony started cleaning the flower beds at Pairc Chuil Rua.
This project will take several days to complete. Work continued on Wednesday but unfortunately, Thursday was a washout due to the rain.






YOU ARE INVITED
SECAD is delighted to invite people to SECAD Sustainable Communities Training Programme Introductory Webinars
(South Cork on 24th May; West Cork on 26th May at 7pm online)
This is a FREE programme aimed at community groups, volunteers, businesses, young people and individuals who are interested in developing and nurturing sustainability within their local communities.
During these hour-long, online Workshops –
Sustainability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals will be discussed
An overview of the SECAD Sustainable Communities Training Programme will be provided
The trainers delivering the programme will be introduced (Change by Degrees in South Cork; VOICE in West Cork)
Monday 24th May – South Cork Introductory Online Workshop – 7 to 8pm
Click here to register for the South Cork Workshop.
Wednesday 26th May – West Cork Introductory Online Workshop – 7 to 8pm
Click here to register for the West Cork Workshop
Further information on the programme can be found at https://www.secad.ie/leader/sustainable-communities/
and for further information please contact me at noconnell@secad.ie or 087 9672515
PARKLET NEWS
Ballincollig Tidy Towns members Pat and Tom, together with local businesses are due to meet with Hilda De Lacy from Benchspace Cork regarding the Ballincollig Parklet. Construction of a new batch of Parklets has commenced and we are hoping to get a date for the installation of the Ballincollig Parklet.
ONE FOR THE DIARY
Date: Sat, 12 June 2021
Time: 11:00 – 13:00
Location:
Lee Fields Carpark, Carrigrohane Road, Cork
Kayak & Stand Up Paddleboarders River Clean Up
River Clean Up, open to kayakers, canoeists and stand up paddleboarders. Participants will set out on the river to do a co-ordinated clean up to remove the ever-growing amounts of marine litter that floats in the river.
Please bring suitable clothing (including PFD) and your own kayak/canoe/SUP. Bags, gloves, pickers will be provided. Participants must be competent and confident to take part; no training will be provided.
Clean Coasts will have an information stall set up to interact with people on the shore.
Organiser Clean Coasts
Organiser of Kayak & SUP River Clean Up by Subowti
The Clean Coasts programme is operated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce. Clean Coasts works with communities to help protect and care for Ireland’s waterways, coastline, seas, ocean and marine life. The Clean Coasts Programme is funded by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and Failte Ireland.
For more information visit http://www.cleancoasts.org/
NEW POLLINATOR TRAIL
Minister of State, Patrick O’Donovan of OPW, officially opened the new Pollinator Trail at Fota House & Gardens in East Cork today on World Bee Day. This is a joint venture between Irish Bee Conservation Project/OPW/Fota House & Gardens.
Unfortunately, it was not possible to hold a big launch due to covid restrictions. However, we an information stand in front of Fota House will be provided for what we are calling our “Pollinator Trail Open Days” on both Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd May from 12-4pm both days.
Anyone who might be interested is invited to come along and experience the trail amidst the wonderful surroundings of Fota House and Gardens.
WHO’S BEEN BUZZY
Thank you to Ballincollig Community School teacher David O’Brien and the Transition Year Students for the wonderful work they did on the Bee Boxes which will take pride of place on the Poulavone Roundabout.
They are magnificent. A wonderful job. These wonderfully bright and cheery boxes will be enjoyed by many in the coming months.
Again, thanks to all involved.



