9 June 2022
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Colm Kelleher launched “NonFire Night 2022” yesterday in the Council Chamber at City Hall, with members of the Gardaí, Cork City Fire Service, the HSE, Le Cheile School Completion Programme, Foróige, community representatives from Churchfield and Mayfield and members of Cork City Council’s-Community, Culture & Placemaking Directorate.
“NonFire” night will take place on the 23rd June 2022 across 6 of our cities parks and green spaces, an evening traditionally celebrated in Cork City as “Bonna Night”. This is a collaborative event organized by Cork City Council and run in partnership with over 50 community and statutory groups across the communities of Mayfield, The Glen, Mahon, Knocknaheeny, Farranree and Togher.
The events this year will take place in the following parks:
Loughmahon Park, Mahon;
Clashduv Park, Togher;
Glenamoy Park, Mayfield;
Comeragh Park, The Glen;
Kilmore Road Park, Knocknaheeny;
Pophams Park, Farranree.
The Lord Mayor noted that, “Now that we see life beginning to return to normal activities it is great to see the hunger for “NonFire” night events still alive across the communities with all organizing committees continuing their long-term commitment to delivering this fantastic family friendly event across 6 of our city’s parks and green spaces.”
Since its inception in 2007 there has been a steady reduction in the number of problem fires throughout Cork. There has been a substantial reduction in anti-social behaviour on the night and this cooperative approach has strengthened community links, with over 10,000 people attending the events across our 6 parks. “NonFire” night events are community designed events with each park taking is own approach to the family friendly celebration.
Cork City Council and Cork City Fire Brigade urge members of the public in the coming weeks to please not give out rubbish or support illegal bonfires and instead attend one of the organized events across the cities parks and green spaces.