20 July 2022
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
News from Corks’ largest town, with thanks to former Cllr and TD Barry Cogan
Pipe Band
The Carrigaline Pipe Band are on a short summer break but will be back in action in Passage West on Saturday 6th August at the unveiling of the plaque commemorating the centenary of the Battle of Passage West. The band will hold the annual church gate collection in Carrigaline on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24thJuly. The Pipe Band plans a special performance for Culture Night on Friday 23rd September.
Culture Night
A meeting of those interested in Music, Arts and Culture, to organise this year’s Culture Night in Carrigaline was held in the Lions Youth Centre on Friday 15th July. The meeting was called by Grainne O’ Connor, Culture Night coordinator to organise Culture Night in Carrigaline. It was decided to organise a number of events in Carrigaline. Mary Murphy, of the Owenabue Arts Network, will head up the art section. Paul Mc Carthy, is in charge of the music programme. Fionán Cogan will promote the drama and storytelling in the library. Tidy Towns will participate again this year and the Pipe Band will give a performance in the park. Other ideas and activities are most welcome for Culture Night, with a community céilí in the GAA and a Carraig ag Caint project in the planning stages.
Graveyard Clean Up
A community clean-up to be held in the old graveyard, adjacent to St. Mary’s Church is organised for Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd of July. Recorded burials in the old graveyard go back over 300 years. Some of the early headstones are uninscribed boulders.
Tidy Towns
Despite the fact that the National Tidy Towns adjudicators may have judged Carrigaline already, that does not stop the entire Tidy Towns team of volunteers continuing to work, improving the cleanliness and appearance of the town. Some members are on duty every day. A huge flower planting programme is ongoing and the flowers are watered regularly by the Tidy Town volunteers. A second herb garden has been planted at Waterpark which the public are welcome to use. Litter control is an ongoing problem which takes up so much time, effort and energy. An anti-litter campaign needs to be planned, promoted and implemented in the year ahead. New volunteers are always welcome to join Tidy Towns.
Men’s Shed
The Carrigaline Men’s Shed walking group went for a short walk in the shade in Kilnagleary on Monday last. Two members, Dick Jenkinson and Finbarr Heas helped Tidy Towns Chairperson, Liam O’ Connor, in placing a duck house, which was made by students in the Community School, on the island in the pond at Waterpark. The Shedders also made a smaller floating bird stand and shelter which has been commandeered and used by waterhens in the pond. Shed members also helped Tidy Towns with refurbishing and relocating a number of heavy planters. The Men’s shed are taking a number of fixed engines to the enactments weekend this Saturday and Sunday at Camden fort Meagher. On Sunday July 31st the Shedders will display some of their equipment at Roberts Cove Vintage Festival.
Rennes Folk Group
The 16 strong Celtic Circle of Rennes enjoyed a whirlwind programme of events last week as guests of Comhaltas na Dúglaise and Cork City Council. They were part of the delegation celebrating the 40th year of Twinning between Cork and Rennes. On Wednesday morning they visited the Jameson Distillery in Midleton and then on to Cobh, where they visited the Cathedral and the Heritage Centre and performed on the promenade. In the afternoon, they visited and performed at the Regional Park in Ballincollig before ending the day at the Céilí in the Lough. Thursday, they performed in Crosshaven RCYC for Volvo Cork Week. Friday, their last day, was spent performing in the City Library, followed by parading through the English Market, where they had lunch in the Farm Gate. There was an afternoon performance in Fitzgerald’s Park before ending their visit with a farewell dinner and going away party hosted by Comhaltas na Dúglaise in the Oliver Plunkett Restaurant. Comhaltas members who performed with them throughout the week plan a return visit to Rennes in October and some were there to see them off from The International Hotel on Saturday morning.
