Newsletter 14 June 2025
Sunday Litter Pick
On Sunday morning we had 32 volunteers out for our Weekly Litter Pick. We covered a large area from Carrigrohane to Classes and everywhere in between.
Jack and Shane (in the photo) as always did a fantastic job at the entrance to Parknamore and down the Inniscarra Road.
Pat collected 11 bags of Litter which included 2 bags from litter picks during the week. He also collected one bag of glass. Everything was brought to HQ for segregation.
We want people to know that a number of our volunteers carry out litter picks at various times and locations throughout the week. These volunteers are not always visible but their contribution is really appreciated and so important to Ballincollig Tidy Towns.
Birthday Boy
On Sunday morning after our Litter Pick we adjourned to The Plaza for our Cuppa and Chat. We had organised a surprise birthday cake for an amazing stalwart of BTT namely Pat Clarke. The look on his face was worth it all and he was his usual self as everyone sang Happy Birthday.
Pat has been an absolute legend in BTT and is totally dedicated to the group.
The work he has done over the years has been amazing and long may it continue.
Wishing Pat a every good wish on his Birthday
What a beautiful display
There is huge credit due to Crowleys Opticians for yet another seasonal window display. This bright display which endorses our pollinator friendly ethos. We really appreciate your support and commend you for this beautiful initiative.
What a Crew
Denis Bridget & Lucy Liam
Monday Cutting
Bright and early Monday morning Gay, Sunday, Bikunda and Keith spent the morning cutting grass and strimming around the trees from Gaelscoil Uí Riordan to the Killumney Road Roundabout. They had the use a new type strimmer which was a great help with some of the heavy grass and weeds. Our thanks to Pat Clarke Ballincollig Tool Hire for loaning us this machine.
We Need Your Help!!!
Cork Biodiversity Hub are doing something a bit different this month. At the entrance to the Cork Biodiversity hub there is a relatively big wall and they are calling on those of you who have already attended our talks who might be interested to give them a hand with their art project.
Ceramicist Julie Forrester is going to guide everyone on designing and making a mural for this wall that reflects the beautiful, complex biosphere that we are part of. They started on Thursday 12th June and continue on Thursday 19th June with 3 sessions at 10am, 4pm, 7pm.
This is a great opportunity to work with a wonderfully gifted artist and create together something really special that celebrates nature, plus you will pick up some skills along the way. It will be fun, creative and memorable. All are welcome, bring yourself, your children, your grandchildren your great grandchildren!
Please drop them an email to corkbiodiversityhub@gmail.com if you intend to come along. They will broadcast other mural workshops shortly depending on how these current times suit. Eircode: P31PX67
60 Years And Still Going Strong
On Friday 25th June 1965 the inaugural meeting of Ballincollig Tidy Towns took place at 8.30pm in the Old School on Station Road.
At the meeting which was convened at the idea of Miss Pat Courtney Chairwoman of Macra Na Feirme at the time. The meeting was called to order by Mrs Murphy who explained the thinking behind the meeting and that together they would make Ballincollig more beautiful.
Very Rev Fr Johnson adressed those present and assured them of his full support as did Fr Hegarty who spoke about ways in which they could improve Ballincollig. He proposed a committee be formed. Very Rev Fr Johnson was elected as President and Fr Hegarty was then elected as Chairman after being proposed by Mrs Moloney.
Mr Anthony O’Leary was elected Secretary. Mr D Hegarty was elected Treasurer and Mr Cronin NT was elected as Vice Chairman
Representative’s were elected on the night from the Pitch and Putt Club, The Legion of Mary, Ballincollig Guards and Edel Quinn Group. And so Ballincollig Tidy Towns was born and has over the 65 years BTT strives to improve even more
It is lovely to see some of the names of those who were involved back in 1965. Names like Mrs Moloney Garda Dobbyn, Ms Teresa O’Farrell and lots more who worked hard to set up a great organisation.
We will be looking at the original minute book over the coming weeks.
A Busy Tuesday
Early Tuesday Morning Jimmy and Sunday started emptying the 4 tiered tower planters. They removed all the plants for recycling. They also collected some bags collected from Rosewood following a cleanup by Residents.
Tuesday evening’s Worknight was well attended with 20 volunteers ready to plant up the towers under the guidance of Darren from Ballinora Nursery and Garden Centre. What an amazing Team of volunteers.
In addition the Three Amigos ( Gay, Ben and Eoin) did a fantastic job cleaning Chapel Lane in The Old Square. Overall a very busy but productive day.
Busy Ladies
On our Worknights on Tuesday and Thursday these two ladies carry out Litter Picks in the Village. Geraldine and Maureen continually make a difference on each Worknight. Well done ladies.
Busy Wednesday
Following on from our work on Tuesday evening Vince, Sunday and Bikunda went back to fill up the towers with compost.
They filled some bags of compost from our Compost Bay 3 and then filled the towers on Main Street.
They then collected 28 bags from Aylesbury Estate following a Clean Up by residents. In fairness they did a great job and have to be commended for their efforts.
Busy Guides
We received a lovely Thank You message from a local Girl Guide unit, Kilcrea Senior Branch. They spent time in the Regional Park, focusing on the Fairy Trail and they really enjoyed the work and definitely made a big difference.
The Water Boys
Pat Clarke and Pat Buckley were busy on Tuesday evening filling the planters all over Ballincollig and their night was made longer because they had fill the 4 tiered towers on Main Street.
All the planters were watered and fed on Tuesday evening.
A Very Memorable Day
Following a very kind invitation from our Committee member Garret Kelleher for members of Ballincollig Tidy Towns to visit Leinster House for a tour 24 members of BTT made the journey to Kildare Street on Thursday
We were greeted by Senator Kelleher and got the opportunity to meet many TD’s and Senators.
We were then brought to the public gallery of Dáil Éireann and also Seanad Éireann. In Dáil Éireann we observed leaders questions.
We then visited the Members Bar and were treated to a beautiful lunch courtesy of Senator Kelleher and Deputy Colm Burke T.D.
We finished our day with a very good visit to the Europa Experience at 11 Chatham Street D02 VP46. This was a very interesting and informative experience and well worth a visit and it’s Free.
Our sincere thanks to everyone who made this day possible and so memorable.
The Three Amigos
On Thursday evening Eoin, Ben and Gay AKA The Three Amigos did an amazing job on the raised flower bed outside Ballincollig Rugby Club. The lads got a great amount of work done while having a good laugh.
Sunday on Thursday Morning
On Thursday morning Sunday did a great job on his own cleaning the kerbs around Innishmore Estate. He filled 12 plastic bags and made a huge difference with his work.
