Newsletter 22 March 2025
Super Sunday
On Sunday morning we had 37 volunteers plus 6 Transition Year Students.
Pat collected 15 bags of litter and a further 3 bags of litter and 1 bag of glass from litter picks during the week.
We covered a lot of ground on Sunday including a large section of The Regional Park. It was a very productive morning. Back at The Plaza it was standing room only but the staff did a sterling job ensuring we were all looked after very well.
Amazing Transition Year Students
On Sunday Denis, Bridget brought the TY Students to the Main Car Park in preparation for 
St Patrick’s Day Parade in Ballincollig.
They did an excellent job cleaning the car park, Bakers Road, and the High Road by Mr Price.
What an amazing group of young people.
It’s a mystery!!!
On Sunday morning this bag (light plastic and not type we use) was left at collection point in the car park behind Quishs Main Street.
This bags contains another bag with nappies and god know what else.
Due to the weekend that was in it we couldn’t leave it as it would have caused problems for the parade participants the following day.
Going forward any bags other than our bags will not be picked up.
This is really not acceptable and won’t be tolerated.
It’s another mystery!!!
On Sunday we found these bags are dumped at Eastgate, containing domestic rubbish. Again this is not acceptable. They have not been picked up by us and reported to City Council.
A very Special St Patrick’s Day
BTT were honoured to have 2 of our volunteers acting as Grand Marshals at the Ballincollig St Patrick’s Day Parade. Our volunteers and vehicles led the parade and preceded by the Two All Ireland Trophies.
We were blown away by the reception we received from the thousands of people who lined the route. It meant so much to each and every one of us.
Thank you
Following the Parade on Monday our amazing volunteers carried out a Litter Pick.
We collected only 2 bags of Litter. This was an amazing result given the huge turnout at the parade.
Thank you to everyone who attended and for helping us to keep Ballincollig Tidy.
The Morning After
We had a full crew today on Tuesday morning. They got rid of the balloons etc. from the trailers and all the other buntings.
All tidy town posters were stored in the new shed.
All trailers are fully emptied and ready for work.
Sunday and Bikunda were sorting out the rubbish bags from the weekend and yesterday’s litter pick.
Keith and I brought 12 bags of leaves and briars for recycling and they also brought 8 of bottles / glass for recycling.
Special Date this week
Please see details of another very interesting talk at Cork Biodiversity Hub at The Powdermills.
Wildworks Workshop
On Saturday morning Karen Loxton from Wildworks ran a very interesting workshop in association with Ballincollig Tidy Towns. The Tree Identification workshop in the Regional Park spent time measuring the magnificent oak tree which it’s estimated is 200 years old. An amazing feature of The Regional Park in all its splendour.
Mid Week Works
On Wednesday Vince, Sunday and Bikunda finished off segregating the rubbish bags from both the weekend and St Patrick’s day pick up.
Afterwards, they went to Parknamore Estate from the corner to the traffic lights and carried out a tidy up.
People always amaze us
This is a regular occurrence by some citizen in Ballincollig. They certainly like their fruit but not in favour of disposing of it properly.
These skins can take up to six months to decompose. They are also prone to attracting vermin. People don’t understand that these actions are not acceptable. Each of us have to dispose of our own litter and this is not helping the environment. We have involved the Local authority and we are reliably informed that it is being closely monitored.
Special Day for Ballincollig
Next Monday morning Minister Dara Calleary TD and the CEO of SuperValu Luke Hanlon will be joined by members of Ballincollig Tidy Towns in The Regional Park to launch the 2025 SuperValu National Tidy Towns Competition. We look forward to welcoming them all to our fantastic community.
Later that evening the Department of Rural and Community Development and SuperValu will host the Presentation of the South West and Mid West Regional Awards for the 2023 and 2024 National Tidy Towns Competitions at The Talbot Cork Hotel. This is a great honour for Ballincollig as Regional Winner to welcome our friends from Tidy Towns Committees to our Community Minister of State Jerry Buttimer will present the Awards.
SAVE THE DATE— KEEP CORK MEETING
The Visit Cork Team, would like to invite you to Keep Cork Meeting 2025, Ireland’s longest running meetings and events expo. The event takes place again in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Thursday 10th April from 7:30am to 11:30am.
Start the day with a delicious buffet breakfast and then take the opportunity to meet the exhibitors.
Keep Cork Meeting is a showcase of Cork Hotels, Venues, Transport, Team Building and Events Companies. Now in its 11th year Keep Cork Meeting is a perfect opportunity for meeting planners to keep up to date with what’s new and exciting in Cork.
In an effort, to encourage more bids for international meetings and conferences for Cork, we will hold 2 ‘ambassador clinics’ throughout the morning at 9am and 10.30am. Each will run for 20 minutes introducing attendees to supports (both practical and financial) that are available through Cork Convention Bureau and Failte Ireland. You can book your place through the main link below.
Follow the link to register: https://clr.ie/137676
Address: No. 3 Elizabeth Fort, Barrack Street, Cork, T12 V2D7
Going Wild with Biodiversity Grants, We can Boogey and more!
Dear Friends,
Bug Hotels, Food Forests, Urban Green Areas, Protecting Sand-Dunes – our 2025 Biodiversity Grants in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service have been announced.
There is also updates to share on some great visits to community partners, a reminder to get your nominations in for the Business to Arts Awards plus a team appointment we are really proud of.
We hope you find the updates below of interest For the latest news, be sure to keep the conversation going on our social media channels, including LinkedIn.
Wildlife and Nature: Latest Biodiversity Grants
The latest grants to protect and promote Biodiversity have been announced under our partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Jerry from our team catches up with Minister of State, Christopher O’Sullivan, TD at the announcement in Baltimore, West Cork.
Cape Clear takes Biodiversity Action
Thank You to our great friends from Cape Clear, West Cork, who hosted the announcement of the Biodiversity Grants. Jerry our Communication’s Director; Dr Geoff Oliver, Ecologist; Paula Ní Ríogáin, Tograí Chléire; Ciarán Crónin Ecologist; Minister of State Christopher O’Sullivan, TD; Domhnall Finch, National Parks and Wildlife Service; Fiona MacLachlan, Cathaoirleach, Tograí Chléire and Mary O’Driscoll, Trustee, Tograí Chléire.
Transforming Young Lives
Visiting our partners is always a highlight. There is always a warm welcome when we meet the team at The Early Learning Initiative lead by Josephine Bleach. From its base at the National College of Ireland it is supporting young families in Dublin’s North Inner City and in other communities across the country. This is strategic. This is pioneering. This is Irish Philanthropy in action. Thanks for hosting our visit when I was accompanied by our Director of Philanthropy, Jackie Harrison.
We Can Boogie!
Thanks to Friends of the Elderly for welcoming members of the team to one of their recent afternoon socials. A great day for all. The Foundation is committed to Empowering Generations as part of our mission ‘Equality For All in Thriving Communities’.
Tackling Problem Gambling
We are super proud that our Financial Controller David Hickson is a Government appointee to the independent Gambling Regulatory Authority. David is hugely passionate on this important issue and we wish him well. Of course David continues to keep a close eye on our finances and his role with the Foundation remains.
Business to Arts Awards – Deadline Reminder
Visiting our partners is always a highlight. There is always a warm welcome when we meet the team at The Early Learning Initiative lead by Josephine Bleach. From its base at the National College of Ireland it is supporting young families in Dublin’s North Inner City and in other communities across the country. This is strategic. This is pioneering. This is Irish Philanthropy in action. Thanks for hosting our visit when I was accompanied by our Director of Philanthropy, Jackie Harrison.
Stay Up To Date
The Newsroom on our website is the home of all our latest updates. Here you can find out how we are advancing our mission of Equality For All in Thriving Communities. Be sure to check in regularly.
As we celebrate our 25th year, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all our partners, supporters, and philanthropists. Together, we continue to drive positive change for communities that might otherwise be sidelined or overlooked.
Thank You,
Denise Charlton,
Chief Executive