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Cork County Council Invites Expressions of Interest Under the 2026/2027 ORIS Scheme

 Cork County Council is inviting expressions of interest from local community groups for projects under the 2026/2027 ORIS scheme.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has launched the 2026/2027 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, with €20 million available nationally for investment in outdoor recreation amenities.

The scheme supports the development, enhancement and promotion of outdoor recreation infrastructure, including walking trails, looped walks, cycleways, mountain bike trails, mountain access routes, bridleways, Blueways, and recreational facilities at beaches, lakes, rivers and bogs.

Projects supported under the scheme should encourage outdoor recreation, sustainable tourism, health and wellbeing, inclusion, biodiversity, and improved access to Ireland’s natural amenities.

Cork County Council is now seeking Expressions of Interest to identify suitable projects across the county which may be considered for submission under the scheme.

Projects must demonstrate strong community engagement and should enhance or redevelop existing amenities, or support new opportunities to develop local natural resources. Applications should also align with the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy, Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, and where applicable, relevant County Outdoor Recreation Plans and other regional or national strategies.

The scheme includes a number of funding measures:

Measure 1 – Small-Scale Projects

Funding of up to €40,000 at a 90% aid rate, for small scale outdoor recreation projects. Cork County Council may submit up to six applications under this measure plus one additional project located in a Gaeltacht area or offshore island.

Measure 2 – Medium-Scale Projects

Funding of up to €200,000 at a 90% aid rate, for medium scale projects, including new amenity development, repair, maintenance and upgrade. Cork County Council may submit up to three applications under this measure.

Measure 3 – Strategic Large-Scale Projects

Funding of up to €500,000 at a 90% aid rate, for larger strategic projects, including new development, significant extensions or upgrades to established trails, walkways, cycleways, Blueways, mountain access routes and other outdoor recreation facilities. Cork County Council may submit one application under this measure.

Project Development Measure

Funding is also available to support the detailed development of projects to make them ready for future ORIS applications. This may include design, planning, procurement preparation, ecological surveys, screenings and appropriate assessment.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Bernard Moynihan said, ‘We’re encouraging communities across Cork to bring forward strong, locally-driven projects that will enhance our outdoor amenities, support wellbeing, and help unlock the full potential of our natural resources with the backing of this significant national funding.’

Projects may receive up to 90% grant aid, with applicants required to provide a minimum 10% contribution.

Cork County Council can submit up to four prioritised applications with a combined value of €100,000 under this Measure. If sufficient demand and interest exist, it can submit one additional application for equestrian trails/bridleways up to €50,000. One additional application, up to €50,000, may be submitted under this Measure for a Gaeltacht area or offshore Island.

Expressions of Interest should be submitted to the relevant Municipal District Office by Friday, 24th of July 2026.

 

CORK COUNTY COUNCIL REQUIRES Dog Warden (26/054)

 CORK COUNTY COUNCIL

REQUIRES

• Dog Warden (26/054)

           

 Closing date for the receipt of completed application forms is 2pm on Thursday, 30th July 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

Nearly 7,000 Neighbours Come Together Across Cork County for Street Feast

 

Cork County Council has welcomed the success of Street Feast 2026, with communities across Cork County hosting 75 events that brought an estimated 6,975 neighbours together to celebrate community spirit, friendship and local connections.

Street Feast, Ireland’s national day of neighbourhood parties and community gatherings, took place on 23rd and 24th May 2026. Organised by Neighbourhood Network, the initiative encourages neighbours to connect over food and conversation, helping to build stronger, more inclusive communities.

Events were held in towns, villages and neighbourhoods throughout Cork County, including Crosshaven, Fermoy, Rathcormac, Cloyne, Glanworth, Midleton and Cloughduv. Residents came together to share meals, meet new neighbours and strengthen local ties.

Cork County Council worked alongside Neighbourhood Network and community groups in order to promote Street Feast and support residents who were interested in hosting events in their towns and villages.

Street Feast has grown significantly since its launch in 2010 and is an important initiative for promoting connection, inclusion and community wellbeing. Street Feast will return on 29th and 30th May 2027.

Conservation Works Reveal Macroom Gate Lodge May Date Back to Era of the McCarthy Lords of Muskerry

 

Recently completed conservation works at the Gate Lodge of Macroom Castle have uncovered evidence suggesting that parts of the structure may date from the era of the MacCarthy Lords of Muskerry.

The findings emerged during specialist repointing and conservation works carried out on behalf of the Trustees by Cork County Council’s Architects Department. Southgate Associates acted as heritage consultants and project archaeologists, with specialist conservation works undertaken by Triur Construction.

The project followed recommendations arising from a 2024 heritage study commissioned by The Heritage Council under the Historic Towns Initiative.

During the course of the works, cement ribbon pointing dating from the 1980s was carefully removed, revealing earlier masonry concealed beneath later alterations. Mortar analysis undertaken by conservator Kevin Holbrook identified lime produced using a flare-kiln burning process associated with late medieval and early post-medieval construction.

These findings suggest that the central gateway section may date from approximately 1500-1660, with adjoining sections reflecting later eighteenth- and nineteenth-century alterations.

If confirmed through further archaeological and archival research, the discovery would substantially revise the accepted history of the Gate Lodge and establish it as one of the few surviving architectural fragments connected directly to Macroom’s Gaelic lordship era.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Bernard Moynihan, welcomed the findings, saying, ‘This important conservation project not only safeguards a valued element of Macroom’s built heritage, but also deepens our understanding of the town’s rich past. The possibility that the Gate Lodge contains fabric dating back to the time of the MacCarthy Lords of Muskerry is a remarkable discovery and highlights the significance of continued investment in our historic towns.’

The Trustees of Macroom Castle said the project represents an important milestone in safeguarding the demesne while improving understanding of the site’s historic significance. They also acknowledged the assistance in terms of supervision and funding provided by Cork County Council and grant funding under the Historic Towns Initiative through the Heritage Council, which together with funding from the trustees made the conservation and investigation works possible.

Cobh Selected to Represent Ireland in Prestigious European Entente Florale Competition

 Cobh is to represent Ireland at one of Europe’s most prestigious community and environmental competitions.

The Cork harbour town has been selected to compete in the Large Town category of the 2027 Entente Florale Europe competition, which celebrates excellence in community-led environmental initiatives, sustainable development, and quality of life.

Established in 1975, Entente Florale Europe is a European competition involving towns and villages from Czechia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Hungary and Ireland. Often compared to the TidyTowns competition, Entente Florale places a strong emphasis on partnership between local authorities and communities in delivering lasting improvements to their towns and villages.

Cobh's nomination, by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, reflects the town's impressive track record in the Tidy Towns competition. The town earned its first Gold Medal in 2015 and has retained Gold status every year since. In 2021, it was named Ireland's Tidiest Large Town and, most recently, secured the South Cork County Award in 2025, finishing just four points behind the national overall winner.

The 2027 Entente Florale Europe competition will see Cobh showcase not only its environmental achievements but also the strong collaboration between local organisations, volunteers, businesses and Cork County Council that has helped drive the town's development in recent years.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Bernard Moynihan welcomed the announcement:’ This nomination is a tremendous honour for Cobh and for County Cork. It recognises years of dedication from Cobh TidyTowns, local volunteers, community groups, businesses and residents who take great pride in their town and work together to make it an attractive, welcoming and sustainable place to live and visit. We look forward to supporting Cobh as it prepares to represent Ireland on the European stage.’

Welcoming the news, Municipal District Chair for Cobh, Cllr. Cathal Rasmussen, said the nomination is a fitting recognition of the town’s continued commitment to civic pride and community development.

Being selected to represent Ireland in Entente Florale Europe is a tremendous honour for Cobh and recognition of the hard work undertaken across the town over many years. Cork County Council is looking forward to working with Cobh TidyTowns, local businesses, community organisations and residents as preparations begin for the 2027 competition and as we showcase the very best of Cobh on the European stage.

Preparations for the competition will begin in the coming months, with Cork County Council, Cobh TidyTowns and community stakeholders working together to build on the town's strong foundations ahead of the 2027 adjudication.

Judging will take place during the summer of 2027 when an international jury will visit Cobh to assess a range of criteria, including environmental management, community involvement, sustainability initiatives and the overall quality of life within the town. The results will be announced at an international awards ceremony later that year.

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