The Lord Mayor of Cork urges Primary Schools in the City to enter Cork School Garden Competition for 2026

 

The Lord Mayor of Cork urges Primary Schools in the City to enter Cork School Garden Competition for 2026

 

LtR.  Una Leader, Scientist for Environmental Awareness, Green Schools and Circular Economy Cork City Council. The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy and Cathy Davis and Bethany Elvins  of St. Mary’s Special School Rochestown at the launch of the Cork School Garden Competition in Atkins GardenWorld

Atkins Garden World was the venue as the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Feargal Dennehy launched the annual School Garden competition for Primary Schools in Cork City.

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy emphasized the significance of school and community gardens in promoting Cork City Council’s biodiversity initiatives. He remarked, “These initiatives play a crucial role in our aim to achieve net-zero carbon emissions within the next decade. Cork City Council takes pride in collaborating with Muintir na Tire, Cork County Council, and Atkins Garden World on this creative project, and I encourage all primary schools in the city to get involved. Participating in this competition allows young people to develop a passion for horticulture and explore various facets of biodiversity, providing an invaluable learning experience that can spark a lifelong journey in gardening.”

Cork City Council was also represented by Una Leader, Scientist for Environmental Awareness, Green Schools and Circular Economy

 Cork County Federation of Muintir na Tire was represented by Sean Holland, Pauline O'Dwyer, Sean Finn, Finbar Motherway, Helen Kennedy and Denis Kelly, while Atkins Garden World was represented by Manager Cornelia Creedon.

St. Mary’s Special School Rochestown, winners of the Best School Garden in Cork City in 2025, were represented by Cathy Davis and pupil Bethany Elvins 

Cathy Davis and Bethany Elvins  of St. Mary’s Special School Rochestown at the launch of the Cork School Garden Competition in Atkins GardenWorld

For full competition details and Entry form go to https://www.muintircork.com/cork-school-gardens

Cork School Garden Competition Launched by Mayor of County Of Cork

The Mayor Of the County of Cork urges

Primary Schools to enter Cork School

Garden Competition for 2026

Atkins Garden World was the venue as the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Mary

Linehan Foley launched of the annual School Garden competition for Primary Schools

in County Cork.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley said "Activities that

can help children to learn the importance of nature while staying active are crucial for

health and wellbeing". Since its establishment in 2012, the Muintir na Tire School

Garden Competition has inspired thousands of students across Cork County to

embrace the outdoors and Cork County Council is very proud to have supported the

competition each year. I urge all schools around the county to consider signing up this

year, whether a new entrant or a long-established participant. We want to see students

from every town and village involved in Cork.

County Council was represented by Ger Barry, Director of Services Planning and

Environment, Cork County Council, Aida Goold, Senior Executive Officer Cork

County Council, Michelle Greene and Katherine Corkery from the Environment

Directorate and Conor Nelligan Heritage Officer Cork County Council. The Cork

County Federation of Muintir na Tire was represented by Sean Holland, Pauline O

Dwyer, Sean Finn, Finbar Motherway, Helen Kennedy and Denis Kelly, while

Atkins Garden World was represented by Manager Cornelia Creedon.

Coachford National School, winners of the Best School Garden in Cork County in

2025, were represented by pupils Seán Murray and Mia Malinovska.

Photos DSC_5296.JPG and DSC _5293.JPG

The Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley with pupils of Coachford

National School Seán Murray and Mia Malinovska at the launch of the Cork School

Garden Competition in Atkins GardenWorld.

Photo DSC_5291.JPG

Pupils of Coachford National School Seán Murray and Mia Malinovska at the launch

of the Cork School Garden Competition in Atkins GardenWorld.

Photo DSC_5320.JPG

L-R Ger Barry, Director of Services Planning and Environment, Cork County

Council, Aida Goold, Senior Executive Officer Cork County Council, Sean Murray

Coachford National School, the Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Mary Linehan

Foley, Mia Malinovska Coachford National School, Katherine Corkery Planning &

Environment Directorate Cork County Council, Conor Nelligan Heritage Officer

Cork County Council at the launch of the Cork School Garden Competition in Atkins

GardenWorld.

For full competition details and Entry form go to https://www.muintircork.com/cork-school-gardens

Pride in our Community 2026 – Muintir na Tíre

 

It's that time of year again to be thinking about planning your community project for 2026.If you are thinking about entering the Pride in our Community Competition in 2026 You can fill in the form using the link below before Jun 30th 2026.

Pride in Our Community 2026 Entry Form – Fill in form it just takes a minute or two.

Please feel free to share this email with other groups in your area or beyond. (open to community groups in Cork County or City only) To find out more about this Competition go to https://www.muintircork.com/pride-in-our-community.

Cork County Council Announces the County Cork Heritage Grant Scheme 2026

 

Cork County Council has announced that applications are now open for the County Cork Heritage Grant Scheme 2026. Launched in 2021, the scheme highlights County Cork’s rich heritage and acknowledges the many community and voluntary organisations that work tirelessly to protect, celebrate, and share this heritage with both residents and visitors.

Funded by Cork County Council and the Heritage Council, the scheme aims to empower heritage groups across the county as they carry out initiatives that advance the goals of the County Cork Heritage Plan. In 2025, more than 30 organisations received funding under the scheme, enabling a wide range of projects including Heritage Week projects, video documentaries, conservation plans, exhibitions, archives, natural heritage projects, and heritage publications.

This year, a broad selection of heritage-related proposals can be submitted for consideration, including conservation projects that contribute positively to the county’s built heritage.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley welcomed the return of the scheme saying, ‘Since its launch in 2021, the Heritage Grant Scheme has supported more than 125 projects, with over €175,000 of funding allocated. This level of investment reflects the strong commitment to preserving Cork’s heritage and the outstanding dedication shown by local volunteers and heritage organisations. By backing community‑led projects, we are helping to safeguard the county’s history and traditions so they can be appreciated and passed on to future generations.’

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell added, The County Cork Heritage Grant Scheme reflects the Council’s dedication to preserving local heritage and sense of place. These projects play an important role in helping communities to celebrate their heritage while strengthening local identity and pride. Cork County Council appreciates the ongoing support from the Heritage Council and we look forward to seeing the diverse range of project proposals put forward this year.’

For further details of the County Cork Heritage Grant Scheme 2026, including application forms, please click the link below.

The closing date for proposals and application forms is 17:00 on Thursday 16th April 2026, which can be made online, emailed to corkheritage@corkcoco.ie, or sent by post to ‘County Cork Heritage Grant Scheme 2026’, Cork County Council, Floor 3, County Hall, Cork. For further information email corkheritage@corkcoco.ie or phone 021 4276891. 

 

County Cork Heritage Grant Scheme 2026

Click here for more information

Upcoming parenting course Fermoy

 Dates have been rescheduled for the Understanding your baby, 6 week parenting course in Fermoy. The course is based on the Solihull approach and is suitable for parents and infants 0-6 months. Parents can book directly by contacting me. I have attached a jpg also for anyone who would be willing to share on a social media platform if you have access for work. Spaces are available. I would really appreciate your support in promoting this initiative. If there are any parents you think may benefit but would be nervous to attend, I am happy to meet them beforehand.

 

 

Any questions you know where I am.

 

 

Kind Regards,

Orla Geary

Public Health Nurse

 

Please note I do not work on Thursdays

 

Orla Geary BSc Nursing (General), PGdip Public Health Nursing, RGN, RM, PHN, Msc Perinatal Mental Health

Public Health Nurse | North Cork | Health Service Executive | Fermoy Primary Care Centre | Mill Island | Fermoy | Cork | Mob. 087-9394479 orla.geary@hse.ie

 

 

CORK COUNTY COUNCIL REQUIRES District Supervisor - Kanturk/Mallow MD

 

CORK COUNTY COUNCIL

REQUIRES

• District Supervisor - Kanturk/Mallow MD 

           

 Closing date for the receipt of completed application forms is 4pm on Thursday, 9th April 2026.

Further details and application forms for the above posts are available on the careers’ section of the website: www.corkcoco.ie; or by e-mailing: recruitment@corkcoco.ie

 

CORK COUNTY COUNCIL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Mallow Library Launches Mallow Reads 2026, a Year‑Long Celebration of Books, Community, and the Joy of Reading

 

Mallow Library is delighted to announce the launch of “Mallow Reads 2026”, a year‑long reading campaign designed to inspire people of all ages to rediscover the joy, comfort, and creativity that books bring.

The campaign starts with a special emphasis on encouraging parents to share the library experience with their children. It aims to foster lifelong reading by encouraging parents to explore the library alongside their children, creating shared memories that bridge the gap between generations.

A symbolic “One Million Minutes” reading challenge will run throughout the year as a motivational marker of the town’s collective engagement, while the central focus remains on nurturing a culture of reading for pleasure.

Mallow’s year‑long community reading initiative unfolds like a shared storybook, with each season forming a chapter in the town’s collective reading journey. Spring opens with a preschool family launch and a town‑wide Reading Pledge, while Summer celebrates cultural diversity through a Multicultural Fun Day and multilingual storytelling. Autumn highlights intergenerational connection, engaging the Active Retirement community, integrating dementia‑awareness activities, and showcasing local creativity during Culture Night. Winter closes the final chapter with an author visit and a community‑curated Town Anthology, reflecting a year of shared stories, inclusion, and creativity across Mallow.

Mallow Library invites all residents to join in this town‑wide celebration of reading throughout 2026. Event details and updates will be available in Mallow library and on social media.