GOLDEN AWARD
Last Monday evening 4 of our Volunteers attended the South West & Mid-West SuperValu TidyTowns Regional Awards for 2022. This was held in Fernhill House Hotel Clonakilty.
A lovely evening catching up with fellow Volunteers from across towns and villages of the region. Good company, great food and a golden award.
It was with pride our Chairperson, Tom Butler, accepted the County Award and Gold Medal from 2022 on behalf of Ballincollig Tidy Towns.
HAND IN HAND
On Tuesday morning the men concentrated on the large raised bed running along the front wall of Westcliffe Estate. Later that evening the Volunteers spent the Work Night continuing this work. The raised bed was cleaned and leaves that had already fallen were cleared from here. Four 1-ton bags of weeds and leaves were removed.
IN THE NAME OF PROGRESS
Working on the magnificent raised bed of over 3,000 shrubs and many mature trees that runs along the front of Westcliffe Estate brings a certain sadness now. After years watching this incredible undertaking by Cork County Council become one of Ballincollig’s most beautiful sights, it is almost impossible to comprehend the plan to remove it as part of the Sustainable Transport Corridor. So much planning went into the selection and placement of each shrub to show their optimum beauty as the seasons changed.
In the name of progress Ballincollig is due to change once again. Losing this raised flowerbed is the start and there’s plenty more planned.
BUS CONNECTS
The following is a status update in relation to the BusConnects Cork Sustainable Transport Corridors.
From the second round of public consultation on the proposed development of 11 Sustainable Transport Corridors the NTA received approx. 4,400 submissions. It is clear from the submissions received that, in many locations, the NTA has made substantial progress since the first round of public consultation. There are a number of areas where they are continuing to refine the proposed designs and are engaged with local communities who are helping to inform this process.
Therefore, the NTA has now made the decision to hold a third round of non-statutory public consultation for all 11 Sustainable Transport Corridors. This next round of non-statutory public consultation will likely take place towards the end of 2023. Regarding traffic modelling, a Preliminary Modelling Report will be published as part of this non-statutory public consultation.
SUNDAY
On Sunday morning Cillian and Denis did a great job clearing leaves and weeds on Station Road. Fours bags were filled and taken to be recycled.
LITTER PICK
Sunday morning there were 26 Volunteers out for the weekly litter pick. Between everyone there a large area from Carrigrohane to Classes was covered, as well as part of the Regional Park.
Pat collected 14 bags of general litter. In addition, he collected 5 bags of Litter, 2 bags of Cans, 1 bag of Plastic and 1 bag of Glass which were collected during the week by our Volunteers. These were all segregated on Monday at the Allotment.
Enjoying a cuppa and chat afterwards at The Plaza.
MONDAY WATERING
For an hour on Monday evening the Waterboys watered the Planters at Eastgate, the Tiered Towers and the Parklet on Main Street. In total 800 litres of water were used.
ACTIVE COMMUNITY AWARDS 2023 NOMINATIONS OPEN
Nominations for the third annual Active Community Awards are being sought by Cork Sports Partnership.
These awards seek to recognise the amazing work done by volunteers in promoting sport and physical activity throughout Cork city and county.
The Active Cork Community Awards were established by Cork Sports Partnership under its Active Cork Communities Initiative to honour, recognise and celebrate individuals and groups in local communities who go above and beyond in their efforts to promote community sport and physical activity opportunities, while equally promoting positive health and wellbeing for all. Those nominated enhance the quality of life and health of their local community.
Throughout the first two years of the awards, Cork Sports Partnership has highlighted the invaluable work being done throughout Cork. Many extremely worthwhile individuals and groups were recognised for their tremendous work while facing many tough challenges. The awards acknowledged the people and groups who have gone above and beyond to support their communities.
Communities have come up with unique and innovative ways to keep people engaged in physical activity and sport, thus supporting them to look after their physical and mental health.
Working with local partners and agencies the efforts of many communities in Cork can be recognised with the Active Community Awards.
NOMINATION DEADLINE: 15TH SEPTEMBER
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT CORKSPORTS.IE
CONGRATULATIONS
The Smarter Travel Mark, Silver Level, has been awarded to Cork City Council from the National Transport Authority. It is the first local authority in Ireland to receive the mark. The award is in recognition of Cork City Council’s commitment to changing attitudes and behaviours regarding walking, cycling and public transport usage by implementing measures that facilitate, support and encourage sustainable travel options for the workforce and visitors.
CELEBRATING CORK’S PAST EXHIBITION
An exhibition celebrating Cork’s past will take place from 11am to 5pm on Saturday 30th September at the Millennium Hall in Cork City Hall. All are welcome and admission is free.
For further information about exhibiting or attending the concert: Contact: community@corkcity.ie
A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Mayfield Library invites you to come and visit on Saturday 16 September at 11.00 am for the Frank O’Connor Birthday Tribute, to celebrate Cork’s great writer, Frank O’Connor.
Seán P. Cotter will lead with poetry, song and chat on the anniversary of the master storyteller’s birthday.
The event is free of charge and open to all.
Further information at 021 492 4935 / mayfield_library@corkcity.ie.
BLANKETS OF HOPE
Bring your knitting needles and wool and join others at Blarney Library to knit or crochet in support of Blankets of Hope.
Every Friday at 10.30am from 22nd September.
Swap patterns, tips, and plenty more.
All are welcome.
CORK BOOK FAIR
Marina Market Cork on 16th and 17th September
After the success of the last book fair, Book World is coming back to The Marina Market in Cork on the 16th & 17th September, 2023.
A huge amount of used and new books from as low as €1 per book will be for sale. All are welcome.
Doors open from 10am to 6pm BOTH DAYS.
CONSENT MATTERS IRELAND
Would you like to practice setting boundaries in a fun way? Would you like to gain confidence in asking for what you want? How often do you say Yes when you really want to say No?
Consensual Confidence (Sept 23rd) is a 3-hour workshop and social event where you can meet new friends, connect with partners and pals and be part of a caring consent focused community. It will be held at Free Flow Studios, 11 Academy Street, #Floor 2, Cork, T12 T283.
Any questions, please drop a message or email grainne@consentmattersireland.ie
Limited spaces.
HISTORY AND HERITAGE DAY
The City Library will host a History and Heritage Day on 23rd September from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
The programme includes:
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Terence MacSwiney and Cork City Theatre by Fiona Brennan.
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Ordinary Women in Extraordinary times by Anne Twomey.
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Staír na Síochána in Éirinn by Risteard Mac Annraoi.
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Irish Poetry, Prose and Song of the 1920s by Dr Jonathan Creasy, PHD.
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Check out some of our other events at Eventbrite.
IRISH HISTORICAL TOWNS ATLAS OF CORK
There will be a showing of a short film by the Royal Irish Academy (with Frameworks Films, Cork) about the completion of the Irish Historic Towns Atlas of Cork.
Clips of Cork City historic maps will be included. Cork City Libraries was one of the repositories used by the researchers for the Atlas. The Irish Historic Towns Atlas (IHTA) was established in 1981. The aim of the programme is to record the topographical development of a selection of Irish towns both large and small.
The film will be repeated throughout the evening until close at 8.30pm approx.
BOOK BINGO READING CHALLENGE
Get ready for our Book Bingo Reading Challenge! Register and complete a Bingo in your Bingo Card and be in with a chance to win a voucher for Dubray Books! The Bingo Reading Challenge is open to teens and adults. You can get your Bingo card at the Lending Desk in the City Library. The challenge will run from 1st October to 30th November.
Good luck to all challengers.
DRAWING MEDITATION
Drawing Meditation for Culture Night at Mayfield Library!
This FREE Mediation Drawing session is a gentle introduction into the world of creative self-care. We use simple drawing exercises with daily mindful practices to carve out precious time and space in our busy worlds to reconnect again.
No drawing experience is required and no art materials are necessary.
Come join on 22nd September at 5.30pm.
EUROPEAN WEEK OF SPORT 2023
The European Week of Sports takes place from 23rd- 30th September with events taking place throughout Europe. As part of this year’s celebration, Cork Sports Partnership has teamed up with a number of partner organisations to bring taster events and programmes to people of all ages and abilities across Cork.
Cork City Sports Fest in Tramore Valley Park
Lord Mayors Volleyball Tournament
Roller Skate Disco
Ibop Music Cycle
Free Family Swims x 3 locations
Orienteering x 5 events
Cork Walking Week
Women’s Social Soccer x 3 locations
Try Tennis Programmes x 4 locations
Walking Football x 3 venues
Women In The Outdoors
Courses & Inclusive Workshops
And Lots More To Be Added!
Visit www.corksports.ie for more info
CLASH OF THE CARDBOARD
Mayfield Library is delighted to host “The Clash of the Cardboard”. This is a truly unique collection of 140 homemade hurley bookmarks representing the GAA clubs of Cork.
Calling all aficionados of the game to come and see if you can spot any clubs that may have been missed.
WORKSHOP
CLONAKILTY INTERNATIONAL GUITAR FESTIVAL
From 14th – 24th of September 2023, some of the world’s greatest guitarists will descend on Clonakilty for this year’s international guitar festival.
Since its inception in 2005 the festival run by a small non-profit organisation of music lovers is very proud of the rich, relaxed, educational, exciting & artistic environment the festival creates in the beautiful seaside town.
For the duration of CIGF the greenfield model for a festival is avoided, instead the town is their stage as they reclaim and reimagine the public spaces. Performances and events are scheduled in all manner of venues from the local schools & library to the bars & butcher shops transforming these places from an ordinary place of daily business, to an evolving stage, where encounters with music and magic are frequent and found all around.
The majority of the events are free throughout the festival with some select ticketed shows.
All musicians get paid.
MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING
DRIMOLEAGUE SINGING FESTIVAL
Thu. 21st – Sun. 24th Sept 2023
Celebrating the human voice in the heart of West Cork
The Drimoleague Singing Festival features the best in contemporary and traditional Irish and international talent. Concerts and singing sessions both formal and informal take place in various venues around the village; in the Parish Hall, in pubs, churches and other more unusual venues. Singing and songwriting workshops, a singing competition and singing in schools are also included.
Founded by three Drimoleague natives with a love for their home place and a passion for music and the arts, the festival is a voluntary, not for profit, community-based initiative.
Over many generations there has been a great tradition of singing in the parish. And, while today with the internet and social media opportunities may be fewer, there is nothing more satisfying than a good old-fashioned sing-song when the opportunity arises.
The festival takes place the weekend closest to 25th September the feast of Saint Finbarr, Cork’s patron saint. The date also coincides with the most important local fair of the year known as “Big Fair Day”. Hopefully, the festival will revive memories for many older members of the community, when people from all over West Cork and beyond gathered annually in Drimoleague in late September to enjoy a day filled with fun.
The festival’s aim is to provide an opportunity for direct participation by both people from Drimoleague and visitors alike and to develop Drimoleague Singing Festival into one of the most dynamic and energetic events in the national musical calendar.
CULTURE NIGHT
AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION
SCHOOL WARDENS WANTED
Required –
School Warden- Crosshaven Boy’s National School.
School Warden- Holy Well National School, Carrigaline.
Relief School Warden- Fermoy Area.
Closing date for the receipt of completed application forms is 4pm on 25/09/2023.
Further details and application forms for the above posts are available on the careers’ section of the website: www.corkcoco.ie; or by emailing: recruitment@corkcoco.ie