The Hub Fermoy - What's On

 

Water, Wellness & Stories from the Mealagh River Bantry: Community Walk July 24th

 

Cultural Companions invite members of the community to Water, Wellness & Stories from the Mealagh River, a unique walk and workshop taking place in Bantry on Friday, 24 July at 11am.

This special event, facilitated by WiseWater, offers an opportunity to connect with the natural heritage of Bantry Bay and the Mealagh River while exploring the links between water, wellbeing, memory and community.

WiseWater's community workshops encourage participants to discover the powerful relationship between personal wellbeing and caring for our water environment. Through reflection, conversation and shared experiences, participants are invited to explore how water connects people, places and stories across generations. [wisewater.ie]

The event will include a guided waterside walk and community workshop where participants can share memories and stories of the Mealagh River, Bantry Bay and West Cork's rich natural heritage. Whether your memories relate to fishing, swimming, boating, local traditions, family outings, or simply favourite places in nature, all experiences are welcome.

The workshop forms part of Cultural Companions Nature Then & Now, a community heritage project that explores local connections to nature, landscape and place. With permission, memories shared during the event may be recorded as part of the project, helping to preserve local stories and heritage for future generations.

Event Details

Memories of Bantry Bay: Water, Wellness & Stories from the Mealagh River
Date: Friday, 24 July
Time: 11am
Location: Bantry

This event is presented as part of the Cultural Companions programme and is supported by The Heritage Council and Cork County Council through the Nature Then & Now community heritage project.

Booking Essential

📞 085 867 0744
📧 culture@muintircork.com

Places are limited and advance booking is required.

Join us for a welcoming morning of walking, storytelling and connection as we celebrate the waterways, memories and natural heritage that make Bantry and West Cork so special.

All are welcome.

A Full Afternoon of Guided History with Living Youghal

 

A Full Afternoon of Guided History with Living Youghal

At 12:00 noon, the group will begin with a guided tour of the Youghal Clock Tower, one of the town’s most distinctive landmarks. This centuries‑old structure has served many roles throughout its long life, and the tour offers a chance to step inside, hear its stories, and appreciate its place in Youghal’s heritage.

After the first tour, everyone will gather for 1:00 PM lunch at The Red Store. Lunch is at an additional cost, but it’s a lovely opportunity to unwind, chat, and enjoy a meal together before the afternoon continues.

Following lunch, the group will make its way to the nearby St. Mary’s Collegiate Church for a second guided tour with Wayne from Living Youghal. As one of the oldest churches in Ireland still in continuous use, it offers a serene and atmospheric glimpse into centuries of craftsmanship, community, and faith.

Special Group Rate

Both guided tours are available at a special discounted group price of €10 per person, making this an excellent value for a full afternoon of history and exploration. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

A Perfect Outing for Culture Lovers

This event is ideal for anyone who enjoys learning something new, meeting like‑minded people, and discovering the stories behind Ireland’s historic places. Spaces are limited, so early booking is encouraged.

Booking is essential, email culture@muintircork.com

Library Events July 2026 - Healthy Ireland at Your Library

 

Summer STEM Workshops Cork County Council Library & Arts Service is delighted to welcome the return of Summer STEM. We aim to encourage kids to explore STEM and all the exciting discoveries being made today in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths with a range of different workshops. All events are free to attend but places are limited so booking is essential Find Your Local Library Jurassic Dig Journey Workshops Embark on an adventure into the realm of dinosaurs with our captivating Jurassic Dig Journey. Within the sandboxes, children will delve in to unearth and classify fossils from an array of legendary dinosaurs. From the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex to the armoured Stegosaurus and the horned Triceratops, alongside a few ancient surprises, young explorers will uncover the mysteries of creatures from the past. Ready to dig into the world of dinosaurs? This immersive workshop gives children the opportunity to investigate fossils hands-on while learning how palaeontologists uncover and study evidence from millions of years ago. Suitable for children aged 8+ Mitchelstown Library on Tuesday 21st July at 11am Fermoy Library on Tuesday 21st July at 2pm Clonakilty Library on Wednesday 22nd July at 11am Kinsale Library on Wednesday 22nd July at 2pm Skibbereen Library on Thursday 23rd July at 11am Bantry Library on Thursday 23rd July at 2pm

IRD Mental Health Conference

 

See attached information on upcoming conference in IRD which looks really interesting and is being supported by the Rural Community health Project through Shane McHale

 

Appreciate if you can promote

 

Regards

 

Brendan

 

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.

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.

Newsletter 26/06/2026 Cork County PPN

 

A packed edition full of community news, opportunities, and ways to get involved!

This weeks’s E-Bulletin celebrates the strength of community action across Cork County, with highlights from Cavernoma Ireland, inspiring stories from local groups, and a warm welcome to Anthony Hussey, our new Interim PPN Coordinator. We also share a look back at another successful Cork Summer Show, where the PPN team enjoyed meeting members and promoting community participation.

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved, with ongoing calls for members to join our Secretariat, SPCs, LCDC, and Linkage Groups—all playing an important role in ensuring community voices are represented in local decision-making.

This edition also features a wide range of community events and initiatives, from the Full Circle Awards and Cycle of Hope to new biodiversity resources and local success stories, alongside another strong #FundingFriday with supports for sports clubs and community organisations.

Finally, we’re highlighting important national consultations, including opportunities to have your say on Ireland’s National Nature Restoration Plan and research into community participation in marine spatial planning.

Another opportunity-filled edition—packed with ways to connect, participate, and strengthen communities across Cork County!

Newsletter 26/06/2026 - Cork County PPN 

As always, if there's anything you would like us to include in the newsletter, just give us a shout! 

Best regards,

Noelle Nally | PPN Support & Development Worker | Cork County PPN
Community, Tourism & Rural Development
Cork County Council | Cork | T12 R2NC Ireland
T (021) 4285265 | M +353 860597563
Noelle.Nally@corkcoco.ie
Cork County PPN | Public Participation Network