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Wednesday 31 August 2016

National Sustainability Summit

Hi

I would like to offer you complimentary delegate passes to the National Sustainability Summit  which is being held on the 11th October in Citywest, Dublin

To get complimentary passes and join 1000+ delegates, 150 speakers and 50 exhibitors, you simply need to register on the website above. A delegate badge will then be available to pick up when you arrive at the venue on the day of the event. 
 Feel free to inform your colleagues and clients that the event is free to attend.
 To exhibit, sponsor or speak at Ireland's largest sustainability conference and exhibition please email mail John Bent at  info@sustainabilitysummit.ie or call and ask for John Bent at 016120880
  
We hope you can join over 1000 delegates, 100 speakers and 50 exhibitors at the largest event dedicated to Sustainability in Ireland.

In essence this event will be 17 conferences in one with dedicated conferences and exhibition areas on:
Water Management, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Recycling, Waste Reduction, Sustainable Construction & Buildings, Sustainable Food, Sustainable Manufacturing, Sustainable IT, Sustainable Communications & Consumer Engagement, Sustainable Technology, Sustainable Packaging, Sustainable Logistics and Supply chain, Regulations and Policy, Sustainable Investment, Tax and Legal issues, Sustainable Transport, And Much More …

The speaker line up is drawn from senior management from the largest and most influential Irish and international companies who have delivered quantifiable eco results.

Speakers from areas such as pharmaceutical, food, aviation, retail, hospitality, food, construction, manufacturing, IT, Communications, logistics and supply chain, transport, energy etc will deliver compelling case studies regarding how to introduce sustainability into your business.

If you would like to discuss speaking, exhibiting or sponsoring opportunities, please contact me on info@sustainabilitysummit.ie   
Regards,

John Bent
Event Organiser
The National Sustainability Summit

Ballymacoda Ladysbridge redevelop their website

Hi all

My name is Sandra Burfield and I am PRO for Ballymacoda Ladysbridge Community Council. I am pleased to let you know that we have redeveloped our website which can now be visited at www.blcconline.org

Our email address is now admin@blcconline.org so please update the contact information you may have on file for our organisation.

Kind regards,
Sandra Burfield,

PRO Ballymacoda Ladysbridge Community Council.

Date for your Diary: Community Food Initiative Showcase, Mallow


One in four children on the island of Ireland is overweight or obese.  Avondhu Blackwater Partnership CLG are one of 13 companies in Ireland to receive funding from safefood for the Community Food Initiative (CFI) 2016-2018. The CFI programme is designed to positively influence the eating habits of families in communities by making food skills more mainstream and healthy food more accessible.
On Monday the 5th of September, Avondhu Blackwater Partnership CLG will host a Showcase event at the Mercy Centre, Mallow highlighting the range of supports available and providing a wealth of knowledge from healthy shopping, improved meal-planning and budgeting to preventing food waste. This is an opportunity not to be missed with local stakeholders in attendance to answer any of your questions.
The main aim of the CFI is to positively influence the eating habits of families and to identify and promote best practice under the following CFI themes:
1.   Supporting an increased awareness/knowledge around healthy eating
2.   Healthy shopping 

3.   Budgeting and food/meal planning skills 

4.   Cooking skills 

5. Improving the availability and access to safe and healthy food in the community and complementing existing structures that offer healthy options, e.g. community café’s, events etc. 

6.   Preventing food wastage, food safety and hygiene. 


Admission to the showcase is FREE and all are welcome to attend. If you have any queries, please call 022 46580 or info@avondhublackwater.com

Avondhu Blackwater Partnership was supported by the safefood Community Food Initiative’.

Tuesday 30 August 2016

ANAM CARA PARENT EVENING


Some 2,000 families every year in Ireland experience the death of a son or daughter. Anam Cara has been supporting bereaved parents and their families since 2008.

If you are in contact with any bereaved parents, please consider passing the below information on to them:

Anam Cara, the national organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding its next Parent Evening on Wednesday 7th of September from 19:30 to 21:00 in Brú Columbanus, Cardinal Way, Wilton, Cork. This event is open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether the death was recent or not.

Some parent testimonies:

I have some great, supportive friends and close family, but it feels sometimes that, until you meet somebody who has been through it, nobody understands.

I appreciate the chance to meet and hear how others are doing, to form on-going bonds with people in a like situation, to hear 'tips' about what helps in particular situations related to bereavement.

Shared experience is the best therapy I’ve found.

Take Care

Kind Regards,
Clodagh Curley
On Behalf of

Anam Cara Parental and Sibling Bereavement Support
HCL House,
Second Avenue,
Cookstown Industrial Estate,
Tallaght,
Dublin 24
 Anam Cara Logo & Tag

Contact Number   Office 01 4045378 & NI 02895213120
Email Address        c.curley@anamcara.ie
Web Address         www.anamcara.ie

Killeagh and Inch Vibrant Communities



Many People in Cork are familiar with the village of Killeagh. The Thatch pub in Killeagh has been a landmark for many years, especially for those heading on to the once thriving town of Youghal for work or to spend their summer holidays near its sandy beaches.
Main Street Killeagh which is to be transformed
Recently I visited the area to find out first hand what the Community Council was doing and what else was happening in this historical area. I had the pleasure of sitting down with James Maunsell current Chairman Of the Community Council, Finbarr Motherway, Brinsley Mc Donnell and Helen Kennedy who are just some of the people involved with the Community Council. Others familiar to me are of course Anne O Neill Sean Murphy, Patricia Kirby and Simon Cody.
It is interesting to note that like many other Community Councils the boundaries are defined by the Parish hence the name Killeagh/ Inch Community Council.  The neighbouring Community Council in Ballymacoda and Ladysbridge operates in a similar way as do others around the county. As with all Muintir na Tire Community Councils the main aim of Killeagh Inch Community Council is about the involvement of all the people in the promotion of the welfare of the community.
I was keen to find out what the role of the community council was in bringing people together to affect change and how they went about their business.
The  thirty strong Community Council is the first port of call when a issue arises for the community. If an idea is workable then the Community Council will take it on as a project or support a local group in developing the project. Brinsley Mc Donnell told me that 'KilleaghInch 2020 came into being after a public forum in 2015 that was hosted by the KilleaghInch Community Council which, discussed the benefits of a greenway on the old railway line between Midleton and Youghal. It was decided to form a sub-committee to try and make this a reality but also to raise the profile of the scenic MountUniacke/Inch side of the parish and promote tourism where possible. A communication line was opened between Cork County Council’s greenways department and ourselves. The licence for the railway has been handed over to Cork County Council and they are currently carrying out a feasibility study. The formation of a Tidy Towns committee was our next step.  We are in the process of commissioning three stones to bear the name places of both the villages of Inch and Mount Uniacke. The group has already undertaken a joint tree-planting project with Inch national school and Foroige and is busy with plans to further enhance the area. We hope to enter next year’s anti-litter league. Refurbishment of the old water pump in Mount Uniacke is underway at the moment We are working closely with Inch hall committee and hope to build a peace garden on the grounds of the hall after their new extension is completed. Our parent body of the community council was involved in seeking funding for the new all weather pitch on the grounds of Inch school. Grant funding is also being sought from the sports council of Ireland for a Slí Na Slainte or running track around the all weather pitch.  It is the intention of this sub-committee to try to preserve and develop a bronze age ringfort and souterrain situated near Inch and known as Rath.  A rath or ringfort is a settlement that feature changes of level, which oblige the person entering to crawl while those further in can stand' An appendage on a survey carried out by UCC stated ‘The view from this site is simply staggering, one can see as far east as Youghal and the sea, as far north as Clonmult and Garryduff, Well worth a visit'
It is worth mentioning that for Pride of Place 2016,  Cork County Council have nominated  Inch/Mount Uniacke, Killeagh/Inch 2020 Group. This competition is run in association with Co-Operation Ireland. The judging took place recently and the group made a big impression with their presentation. We wish them luck.
Many other ideas and groups emanated from the Community Council or operate with their support. There are Tidy Towns Groups in both villages and they are doing sterling work in improving the area. 
Members of Killeagh Inch Monday Club prepare for an outing.
As a result of a survey done by the Killeagh/Inch Community Council a dozen years ago, the Monday Club was born. It recently celebrated its tenth birthday and now has contact with over a hundred persons. The Club, mainly for active retired persons, meets monthly for refreshments, guest speaker and interpersonal activity. Regular classes and travel, both day and overnight, are held throughout the year. Recent entertainment at the Club was provided by the local school choir and band, two local youths gave a slide show of their visit to Calcutta. Classes held recently dealt with stress management, using your smart phone and movement to music. Recent travel took members to a garden centre, the cinema,to health seminars organised by Muintir na Tire and a visit to Arus an Uachtarain. The club is managed by a sub-committee of the Killeagh/Inch Community Council, is supported by the Community Dept. of the HSE and by CETB and also acts as a conduit for the Rural Transport Scheme. There is no rigid membership – new members are always welcome.

The Community Council also represent the area in discussions with the local authority and other state bodies and they have been instrumental in the development of many services and facilities. They have been very active issues such as road improvements and safety and in the retention of services such as the local GP service and the local bus service. The Community Council has been calling for road improvements for many years and now over €1.2 million is to be spent upgrading the main street. It’s understood the design involves the narrowing of the junction at the Thatch pub by creating build outs to taper the road from Youghal to Killeagh. The project was added to the County plan sent to the NRA on a yearly basis, but it had failed to attract funding until now.
It’s believed the Killeagh design also caters for improved road markings and signage, a review of which currently being conducted by the NRA. The Playground at Glenbower Wood is one of the successful ventures. They are proud of the playground in Glenbower.  The playground is now in the care of Cork County Council, and was built by a sub Committee of the Community Council with assistance from SECAD.  Killeagh Inch Community Council also partnered with Inch National School to build an All Weather Pitch at the school. This pitch is now complete and is open  to the public. Booking info on 086 122 9889 or email inchallweather@gmail.com. €40 per hour and reduced rate €30 for non-club students. The official opening was marked by a five a side tournament between the four schools for the Community Council Perpetual Cup. Fund raising is an important element in the development of services and facilities and in Killeagh and Inch the community is always ready to come on board to assist.
Members of the organising Committee of the Talent Show
There are many fine facilities in Killeagh and Inch. Both have Community Halls owned locally and managed by local committees. Inch Community Hall is currently being extended and having these community Centres allows so much to happen in the area.There are parent and toddler groups in both Killeagh and Inch Halls.  The Inch group meets on Tuesday mornings from 10 to 12, and the Killeagh group meets on Thursday mornings from 10 to 12. Each group is open to any parent of a child of pre-school age to come along and have a cup of tea while the child rests or plays with other children. There are also Foroige groups in both Killeagh and Inch catering for the needs of young people.


Sport plays a big part in life in this sprawling parish and the whole community turn out to support their sporting heroes. Hurling and football was played in the parish of Killeagh long before the foundation of the GAA in 1884. The first game that the great Jamesy Kelleher of Dungourney played was in 1892 in Dangan field in the parish of Killeagh. Killeagh GAA continues the great tradition.  A proud moment in the history of the club came in 1999 when Mark Landers captained Cork to win the Liam McCarthy Cup and had as his team mates Joe Deane and sub-keeper Bernard Rochford. The home-coming to Killeagh on the Tuesday night after the win, when up to 10,000 crammed into the village will never be forgotten by anyone privileged to have been there.  The ladies also have brought great pride to the community. In 2013 Inch Rovers had another fantastic year , the highlights included the club having five girls , Captain Annmarie Walsh , Annie Walsh , Angela Walsh , Sarah Harrington,and Jess O Shea , on the Cork All Ireland winning Team , a great night at homecoming of Brendan Martin Cup was had in Inch with Annmarie and Panel and  mentors , a huge crowd turned out and all enjoyed refreshments. Mary O'Connor of Killeagh is one of the most decorated players in the history of the GAA , she played both Ladies' Gaelic football and camogie. As a footballer O Connor has played with her local clubs Donoughmore and Inch Rovers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1994 until 2010. She has won Five All-Ireland titles. As a camogie player O'Connor played for her local club Killeagh and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team since 1996. Since then she has won seven All-Ireland titles. Winner of All Ireland camogie medals in 1997  and All Star awards in 2005 and 2006. She holds 7 Senior All-Ireland and National League camogie medals as well as county, provincial and All Ireland Club medals with Granagh-Ballingarry whom she played with while studying and working in Limerick.
 Both Killeagh GAA and Inch Rovers have very vibrant juvenile sections who are a major part of the community.
The Playground which is a great addition to Glenbower Wood

Many other sports are also organised including Soccer. Inch United are based in Mount Uniacke and have a juvenile and senior section. Many other sports are also available in the community including Killeagh Gun Club , Taekwondo in Killeagh and Inch, Inch Bowling Club, Angling Club, Point-to-Point in both Killeagh and Inch, Killeagh and District Gymkhana, Killeagh Harriers and Yoga Classes.
The community Council was also instrumental in the provision of defibrillators in the community. A defibrillator is a life-saving piece of equipment.  What it does is deliver a shock of electricity to the heart to restore normal rhythm. In order to use a defibrillator properly, one must be trained in CPR.  To date, they have over 80 people in the parish trained in CPR and defibrillator use and are always looking for more volunteers to train! Within the area of Killeagh / Inch there are a number of defibrillators.  They are located at the Credit Union building in Killeagh, on the wall of Power’s in Mt. Uniake, at the Half-Way Bar and at Park Creamery.
Inch Drama Group having been up and running for many years now never fail to impress. they have sold out many a show  including their last production entitled ‘Troubled Bachelors’. Not forgetting the renowned Killeagh Choir well known both nationally and internationally.
Killeagh also has a very strong Historical Committee who have brought out a book about the history of Killeagh parish. It is an excellent local history resource for anyone interested in Killeagh and the surrounding areas or tracing their family history. Its available in O'Neill's shop Killeagh and other outlets. They have also published a DVD on the history of the area.

 Killeag Inch ‘Person of the Month’ which is kindly sponsored by Kennedy’s Bar in Killeagh, is an award which is bestowed each month on a person from the Parish of Inch and Killeagh. A committee which includes locals George Fogarty, James Maunsell, Mary O’Connor and Father Tim Hazelwood must choose, each month, a person who has contributed and enhanced the life of the Parish in any positive way. Recipients have included Mary Pedder Daly ,John Coleman, and (jointly) Tracey Kennedy and Angela Walsh.
It is clear to me that the Community Council plays a huge part in Community life in both Killeagh and Inch. It has been the catalyst for many developments in both villages and the community Council works quietly in the background but is also able to galvanise the community to make things happen. Well done to all.


VEG of the Week GIY ireland

Veg Of The Week - Claytonia

A really useful, hardy, heart-shaped winter salad green...

It might sound like a trash metal band but Claytonia (also called Winter Purslane or miners lettuce) is in fact a really useful, hardy, heart-shaped winter salad green that can be used to bulk up winter salads and stirfries.  It was called Miner’s Lettuce after the Goldrush miners who valued its high vitamin C content to ward off scurvy.  According to the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 100 grams of claytonia contains a third of your daily requirement of Vitamin C, 22 percent of the Vitamin A, and 10 percent of the iron.  So this little leaf packs a nutritional punch.
Claytonia is succulent and almost-meaty to eat.  It will also withstand cooking (so is excellent as an alternative to spinach) and is very easy to grow.  Though claytonia will grow in the spring/summer, it’s real value is in providing us with winter greens from October or November right up until April of the following year.
Sowing
We sow claytonia in module trays in August and September (with 4-5 seeds per module).  After sowing, keep it well watered.  The seeds will germinate rapidly.
Growing
After 2-3 weeks, carefully plant out each little clump of seedlings in to soil either in the polytunnel or outside, allowing 7-10cm between plants.  Claytonia prefers cooler temperatures which is why it is ideal for autumn sowing, and it will tolerate cold winter temperatures (although it might need to be covered with a fleece or cloche during very frosty weather if grown outside).  Make sure to keep it well watered if you are growing it under cover, or if you get a very dry spell outside (unlikely in the winter).
Harvesting
Cut using a scissors, leaving a few centimeters of the base of the plant in place – you will get at least 4-5 cuts off each plant over the winter.  Claytonia deteriorates quickly once picked, which is why you will almost never see it available to buy commercially – it will however keep in the fridge for a few days.  The leaves are at their tastiest when young and tender.  The smaller leaves are great in salads, while larger ones can be cooked (throw in to a stir fry at the last minute or boil briefly like spinach).
Recommended Varieties
You will not see varieties of Claytonia as such.
Problems
It’s a problem free plant.  One could almost say fool proof.  We’ve jinxed it now, haven’t we?
GIY Tips
  1. Claytonia will self-seed easily which you may or may not want – if you don’t want it to see everywhere, pull up the plants before they go to seed in spring.  I’ve seen Claytonia used as a self-seeding ground cover in woodland areas.
  2. Claytonia is also one of those rare plants that will do well in partial shade, so it’s ideal for a shady part of your garden.  

Monday 29 August 2016

The Older Persons’ Fund


older-persons-fund-the-community-foundation-for-ireland
Older Persons’ Fund Round 4
Now open for applications!
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS STRICTLY 4.30 pm on Friday 16th September2016.
The Older Persons’ Fund is a long term philanthropic fund which promotes the civic engagement of older people, as a means of working towards making a difference in their communities.
The Fund builds on our long standing engagement and commitment to supporting older people in their communities. We have invested over €1m in the sector since it was set up in 2000.
Why an Older Persons’ Fund?It is estimated that by 2041, people aged over 65 will account for 22% of the population in Ireland, compared to some 11% today.
The Older Person’s Fund seeks to realise the benefits of this changing demographic by building a long term sustainable fund to support older people’s voices at a local and national level and their capacity to engage fully in all strands of society. In line with this goal, the mission of The Older Persons’ Fund will be to support strategic community based and national activities promoting Older People as Active Citizens and Advocates – including influencing policy, community decision-making processes, leadership, negotiation and other ways to give greater“voice” to Older People. 
The Older Persons’ Fund has been set up with an initial investment of €3m provided by us (€1m) and The Atlantic Philanthropies (€2m). We are targeting an additional €1m to be raised and allocated to the fund between now and 2018, as well as on-going fund development in the longer term.
The Fund will initially support projects in the area of civic engagement which
  • Support older people’s ‘voice’ at a local and national level, and their capacity to engage in all strands of society.
  • Promote older people’s participation as active citizens in their communities and their inclusion in civic life.
In the longer term, the Fund will also support activities that address older people’s social exclusion, for example loneliness and isolation, where increased civic participation is a planned outcome.
Who can applyNot-for-profit organisations based in the Republic of Ireland, who believe they have a project which meets the criteria. As we will not consider applications which do not meet the stated criteria, we strongly recommend that you read the criteria (see below) before deciding to complete the application form.
This year we have the following two categories that you may apply for a grant under:
  1. Inclusion of older people in active citizenship roles – Grants of up to €7,500 will be available to organisations working towards inclusion of older people in active citizenship roles
  2. Supporting older peoples’ voices at local & national level – Grants of up to €7,500 will available to organisations working towards supporting older peoples’ engagement in advocacy.
How to applyDownload the criteria and complete the online application form for your category (see below).
The Foundation has introduced a new online grant application form in 2015. All applications must be submitted using the online application form. We cannot accept any other type of submission.
How to use the on-line application form
A ‘User Guide’ is available to assist you with completing the online form. Click here to view the application form ‘User Guide’.

Thursday 25 August 2016

News From GIY

Veg Of The Week - Chili Peppers

Peppers are quite compact plants and so don’t take up a huge amount of space in your greenhouse or polytunnel. They produce a fine crop and can be grown well in containers and pots.

Peppers are quite compact plants and so don’t take up a huge amount of space in your greenhouse or polytunnel.  They produce a fine crop and can be grown well in containers and pots.  Both chilli and bell peppers are part of the capsicum family.  Chillipeppers are small and have a hot flavour while bell peppers are larger and milder in flavour.  At this time of the year, peppers are starting to come in to their own – usually the green bell peppers first, followed by the chilli-peppers later in the autumn.
Sowing
Peppers need a long growing season so the earlier you get started the better your chance of producing good, ripe fruit.  Get the seeds sown in February on a heating mat if you can.  They can take up to 2 weeks to germinate.  Sow seeds at 20 degrees celsius in pots of compost or module trays.  Transfer in to 9cm pots when the seedlings are large enough to handle.  Pot up again to a 30cm pot when the plants look like they’ve outgrown the previous pot. 
Growing
Harden off carefully before planting out in the greenhouse or polytunnel in May or June.  You can grow the peppers in the pots in a conservatory or sunny kitchen but they will be demanding when grown this way and you will need to feed and water regularly.  In the polytunnel or greenhouse, dig a deep hole and add plenty of well-rotted organic matter. Support with small canes if required.  Feed regularly with a high-potash feed (comfrey tea works well) once they start to flower.
Harvesting
Harvesting peppers is a balancing act – you will have to wait along time for them to ripen from green to bright red (about a month), but leaving them to mature like this reduces the overall yield of the plant.  So do you want a small number of lovely red peppers or lots of lovely green ones? The choice is yours.  At the end of the growing season, dig up the plant and hang it upside down in the greenhouse – this will help the unripened peppers to mature.
Recommended Varieties
Chilli: Early Jalepeno, Habanero, Ring of Fire
Bell: Long Red Marconi, Fiesta
Problems
Make sure there is plenty of ventilation in the greenhouse.  Red spider mite is a common pest, check the underside of leaves and spray with an organic pesticide if they appear. 
GIY Tips
1.       Peppers store well – they can be frozen, dried or stuffed in to jars and filled with oil.
2.       Greenfly can be an issue for peppers.  A spray made from crushed garlic, oil and washing-up liquid, sprayed on to leaves can deter them.

Monday 22 August 2016

OVER 170 EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR COUNTY CORK DURING NATIONAL HERITAGE WEEK (August 20th to 28th inc.)





This year, 2016, Heritage Week runs from 20th to 28th August. There are now over 170 events scheduled to take place in close to 60 different locations throughout the County of Cork.
National Heritage Week is growing from strength to strength and last year, throughout Ireland, 405,300 people attended 1,826 events nationwide. Over half a million people are expected to participate in 2016, particularly in that this year we commemorate ‘One Hundred Years of Heritage’ where we reflect on 1916 and the many years since. There really are some fantastic events lined up, for example this coming Sunday will see a wonderful 1916 event in Kilavullen, the Annual Commemoration at Béal na mBláth and the Official Opening of the Kilmurry Independence Museum by the President, Michael D. Higgins.
Cork County Council supports National Heritage Week by producing an Events Guide and by also organising, arranging and promoting a range of other events. The County Library Service has a wonderful line-up for the week -  Heritage Week 2016 in Cork County Library.pdf   and Cork County Council’s Heritage Unit also has a few events lined up:


Event: Heritage Exhibition by the Heritage Unit of Cork County Council
Date and Time: Weekdays during Heritage Week from 08:00 to 18:00
Venue: County Hall Foyer, Cork County Council, Carrigrohane Straight Road
Details: This exhibition will provide a background on Heritage and will highlight the work of Cork County Council’s Heritage Unit in promoting and supporting the appreciation and awareness of Heritage throughout the County. It will showcase a number of past and current projects and will provide information and advice on all things heritage.


Event: Illustrated Talk: The Shopfronts of County Cork
Date and Time: Monday 22nd from 13:00 to 14:00
Venue: Council Chamber, Floor 2, County Hall
Details: Supported by the Heritage Council, Cork County Council is undertaking a publication on good shopfront design and how to ensure that this heritage is preserved and promoted in our town’s and villages. The talk on the scope of the publication will be given by County Conservation Officer Mona Hallinan and John Hegarty.


Event: Illustrated Talk: 1916 and the Heritage Centenary Sites of County Cork
Date and Time: Monday 22nd from 14:30 to 16:00
Venue: Council Chamber, Floor 2, County Hall
Details: Supported by the Heritage Council, and the next installation in the Heritage of County Cork Publication Series that received a citation of excellence in the Local Government Awards 2015, Cork County Council is undertaking a publication on the Heritage Centenary Sites of the County.  This publication will tell of Cork’s role in the story of Ireland’s fight for freedom, focussing on a number of sites throughout the County. The talk  on the book’s overview will be given by Damian Shiels of Rubicon Heritage, with an initial introductory talk by Conor Nelligan regarding 1916 in the County of Cork.



The vast majority of events taking place during Heritage Week are listed in the County Cork Heritage Week Events Guide for 2016. Also be sure to visit www.heritageweek.ie and/or www.corkcoco.ie/heritage for any last minute additions/changes and take note of a number of additional events that have been added including events in Clonakilty by Dúchas Heritage Clonakilty; a talk by Meda Ryan on Thomas Kent tomorrow afternoon in Fermoy, and a range of further events.
Heritage Week would not be the success it is without the many community groups and organisations who organise events. Show your support for your locality by participating in Heritage Week 2016!

APPLY FOR THE EUROPA NOSTRA HERITAGE AWARDS 2017:


The Europa Nostra Award is Europe's highest honour in the heritage field, which recognises the best restoration projects; the most impressive research; the most dedicated heritage professionals and volunteers; and the finest awareness raising, training and educational programmes". Anyone from community groups to craftspersons can apply for the Europa Nostra 2017 Awards which will award up to 30 heritage achievements from all over Europe, 7 of which will receive a Grand Prix and €10,000 each. The closing date is 1st October 2016 and let's hope a number of applications from County Cork are successful. Visit www.europanostra.org for full details.

TOWN AND VILLAGE RENEWAL SCHEME:


"The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD, announced that €10 million will be made available to Local Authorities this year to support the regeneration of rural towns and villages across Ireland. Speaking at the launch of the Rural Town and Village Renewal scheme for 2016 in Clones, Co. Monaghan, Minister Humphreys said: "Rural development is a key priority in the Programme for a Partnership Government. Ireland's towns and villages are the heart of our rural communities, but the economic downturn had a significant impact on many of these towns and villages. It is incumbent on us to help them achieve a recovery. I am launching the Town and Village Renewal Scheme today to begin breathing life back into our rural towns and villages. It is critical that towns and villages become areas where economic activity can flourish, where people can live and work, and where people can meet at a social level." Minister Humphreys continued: "An allocation of €10 million is being made available by the Government this year for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. I have more than doubled the allocation for the scheme in my Department's Vote this year, from €4 million to €10 million, reflecting the Government's commitment to the development of rural Ireland. Up to 200 towns and villages right across the country will benefit from the scheme this year. Consultation and collaboration will be key elements of the scheme. It will be administered through the Local Authorities, who will be required to partner with local businesses and local communities to develop and implement ideas that can make a real and lasting impact in revitalising rural towns and villages." The Town and Village Renewal scheme is part of the Government's commitment to ensuring that the benefits of economic recovery are felt in every part of the country. The scheme also addresses one of the recommendations in the CEDRA report, which was published in 2014.

A particular focus will be placed in 2016 on supporting smaller towns, with populations of less than 5,000. A smaller number of projects can be supported in each county for towns with a population of up to 10,000.

Types of activities which can be supported
Measures which are taken under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme should have a sustainable and visible impact on the town/village. The type of projects to be funded under the scheme could include measure to:
* increase the attractiveness of the town or village as a local commercial and social centre, and increase its sustainability as a place in which to live and work
* enhance its environment and amenity in the interests of residents, businesses and visitors;
* enhance the culture and local heritage assets of the town/village and promote tourism;
* tackle minor physical infrastructural deficits and land assembly issues".

ARCHAEOLOGY 2025 – PHOTOS NEEDED:

Archaeology 2025 is a 10 year strategy creating a sustainable future for archaeology across the island of Ireland. The royal Irish Academy (RIA), facilitated by the Discovery Programme, have had a hugely successful public consultation phase for the strategy over the last year. 
As part of the Archaeology 2025 initiative and to form part of the impending publication, photographs are now being sought on two main themes: 1) 'Engaging with Archaeology' and 2) Abstract Archaeology'. Anyone with photos to share in keeping with these two themes are requested to email same to maryteehan@discoveryprogramme.ie prior to Wednesday 7th September. 
Please ensure that all images submitted are at a high resolution (i.e. no less than 300 dpi) and please note that successful images will be selected by Friday 30th September, 2016.

Sunday 21 August 2016

Fermoy Friendship Week - Update and Videos


Bishop Murphy National School Friendship Week 2015
Bishop Murphy National School Friendship Week 2015
In the past three years, a lot of time has gone in to developing Fermoy Friendship Week.  This has become an annual event, with a diversity of events and activities organised each year, many by member groups.  The centre of Friendship Week is the Random Acts of Kindness initiative. A random act of kindness is a selfless act performed by a person or people wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual person or people.
The underling purpose of Friendship week is simple – to provide a space that enables everyone to be more conscious of the importance of ‘Friendship’ and to promote activities and events that encourage the development of positive friendships.  Human beings are social creatures and have always valued the importance of friends in their lives.  As a community we all have a role to play in promoting good relationships with each other, and reaching out to those who sometimes get left out for whatever reason, or may be feeling isolated and lonely.
One of the central events for Friendship Week is the ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ initiative Completed Random Acts of Kindness Boards – 2014which takes place in all the primary and secondary schools in Fermoy.  The principle behind this initiative is that everyone loves to read a positive message.  At the beginning of Friendship Week large blank A0 size boards are delivered by members of the Fermoy Community Network to the local schools, these boards are situated in the entryway to the school for everyone to see.  Over the course of Friendship week students, teachers, administrators, parents and other visitors are asked to write their kindness stories onto post-it notes and place them onto the board.

For 2016 three new initiatives were rolled out; the first of these was for childcare services in Fermoy & we called it “Theme of the Week – Friendship & Kindness Fun Reading Initiative”.  We provided 3 books to each participating childcare service.  The books were designed to help raise awareness with the children in relation to ‘doing the right thing’, ‘caring’ and ‘sharing’.   
The second initiative was with Fermoy Businesses & we called it “Acts of Kindness Initiative”.  Local businesses were asked to embrace this ethos of the week and consider offering something to their clients over the course of the week.
The third initiative was our first ever Friendship Variety Show.   The aim of the Variety Show is to create an entertainment event that will showcase normally unseen local talent; and be a source of pleasure and inspiration to those living within our community.  The committee issued an open invitation to all Fermoy based secondary schools, community groups, sporting and recreational organisations to put forward one act that will represent them on stage for the Variety Show Concert.
Given so much was happening we decided to bring Fermoy Friendship Week to social media for 2016.  A Facebook page called Fermoy Friendship Week is up and running, be sure to like the page and you will get u- to-date information on events happening over the course of the week and it is also a place where Random Acts of Kindness can be posted.  Our motto for Friendship Week 2016 is “Start a Ripple, Create a Wave”…
See the Videos from some of the main events held during Friendship Week 2016


CELEBRATING CORK PAST HERITAGE EXHIBITION – SEPT. 30th 2016



For a number of years now a most wonderful event takes place in the City Hall each year, entitled the "Celebrating Cork Past Exhibition". It is a day for the County's hard-working Heritage and Historical Societies to highlight and showcase the heritage they preserve and protect locally to other like-minded groups and indeed to the hundreds of visitors who attend on the day. This year the exhibition will take place on Friday, 30th September, 2016, and all of the City and County Heritage Groups are invited to participate on the day. The theme for this year's exhibition is 1916 commemoration and please see the attached document for more information.

It is intended this year that there will also be an event booklet available on the day and any groups interested in participating are requested to send in their details as soon as possible, with thanks to those groups who have already been in touch.

Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Awards

Dear All,

I am writing to you to ask for your assistance with spreading the word that applications for Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Awards are now being accepted. Cork had a winner at national level last year and we would love to be able to fly the county colours and repeat this success in 2016.

The Local Enterprise Office is offering the opportunity to aspiring or established young business people between the ages of 18 and 35 to win a place at an intensive 3-day entrepreneur bootcamp to help them develop their business or business idea. We also have an investment fund of €50,000 to invest in our category winners and runners-up. And, of course, the opportunity to vie for the title of Cork’s and Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur 2016!

So, if you know someone between 18 and 35 who has an innovative idea for a new business; has fronted a start-up business for the past 3 years; or, is the lead in an established business for over 3 years who you think might benefit from entering the competition, I would really appreciate your help in getting the word out to your contacts through mentioning the competition or forwarding this email.

All the details on the categories, how to apply, as well as the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions are available at www.ibye.ie

Saturday 20 August 2016

CORK SUCCESS IN THE 2015 NATIONAL HERITAGE WEEK AWARDS:


Last year's Heritage Week in County Cork which saw 170 events was most memorable, particularly with the recent announcement that the National Heritage Week Hidden Heritage Award went to West Cork; a joint event organised by National Parks and Wildlife and the Bantry Historical and Archaeological Society, in commemoration of Botanist Ellen Hutchins (1785 - 1815). A number of events were held in honour of this remarkable lady in locations such as Glengarriff, Bantry, Ballylickey and Whiddy Island. Today, more than a dozen species are named after Ellen. Also fairing well in the Hidden Heritage Category - runner up - was an event entitled "A Smithy Reborn"; a wonderful event organised by the Coppeen Historical and Archaeological Society, which saw the restoration of an old forge. Congratulations to Bantry/Glengarriff and Coppeen

CORK FOLKLORE PROJECT – NEW ONLINE NEWSLETTER:


The Cork Folklore Project (CFP) was founded in 1996 as a non-profit research and public oral history archive with material collected by, from and for the community of Cork City and in recent years has also been branching out into the County. In twenty years, the CFP has recorded the memories, testimony and folklore of 573 people, amounting to over 700 hours of recorded material. Click here to read the first online newsletter of the CFP with some great information inside.

Friday 19 August 2016

CALL FOR CORK REVOLUTION PHOTOGRAPHS 1916 – 1923



Historian Barry Keane is currently researching the 1916-1923 period in Cork, examining all of those who lost their lives during this pivotal period in Irish History, incorporating 1916 and indeed the War of Independence and Civil War. Barry's research will then be made available on a new bespoke website and will also possibly form the basis of a publication. To date, Barry has investigated the details of over 730 people who lost their lives, and is now seeking the input of local groups and individuals that may have photos/portraits that they could share with Barry for use in the website/book. So far approximately 150 photographs have been collated, these relating mostly to the more well known names. If you have any old family photograph of someone who lost their life during this struggle for independence, that you would like to see included in the website/publication, please contact Barry Keane, Glendalough Park, Cork, by emailingbkeanefg@yahoo.com or by phoning 087-7903436. This research will of great benefit to the County of Cork and Cork County Council's Heritage Unit is very supportive of it. In relation to any photographs for use please note that formal permission for their use in the website/book from the owner of the photograph is required. Any and all information would be greatly received by Barry and please pass these details on to anyone you know that might have relevant photos or indeed an interest in the project.

DEEP MAPS: WEST CORK COASTAL COMMUNITIES



U.C.C. is currently involved in a very interesting project pertaining to coastal communities of West Cork: - 'University College Cork's Deep Maps: West Cork Coastal Cultures project explores interactions with the West Cork coast between Clonakilty and Bantry Bay. The project links the cultural history of the coastline to scientific and environmental priorities and explores the wealth of maritime knowledge in this area. As part of the project, we are surveying people who live in, or are visiting, the area to understand what you value about the West Cork coast. It is hoped that local and governmental organisations will draw on our findings to inform decisions that determine the long-term future of this unique coastline'. Some wonderful information has already been collated to date and for updates on the project and indeed to assist with same visit the Deep Maps Website.

Wednesday 3 August 2016

Up-Cycling Challenge 2016


‘Introduction to Advocacy’ course now open for applications.

Dear All

The QQI Level 6 ‘Introduction to Advocacy’ course is now open for applications. You can find further information and the application form at www.socialandhealth.com  click on Training and click on Community Advocacy training.

The course will run from October 2016 to February 2017 on Thursday evenings with two full Saturdays.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Best wishes

Deirdre Lillis
Advocacy Co-ordinator
Cork Advocacy Service (CAS)
Mobile: 0871873904
Please note that I work part time and I will respond to your email as soon as I can. Many Thanks.

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The Social and Health Education Project
Village Centre, Station Road, Ballincollig, Co. Cork.
(021) 4666180
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Geraldine Flanagan
Programme Administrator,
Social and Health Education Project,
The Village Centre, Station Road,
Ballincollig, Co.Cork
Phone: 021-4666180 Fax: 021-4870104.