Ballymoney National School wins Cork County & Gaelscoil na Dúglaise wins Cork City Muintir na Tire Schools Garden Competition 2022

 Ballymoney National School wins Cork County & Gaelscoil na Dúglaise wins Cork City Muintir na Tire Schools Garden Competition 2022

 

The staff and Pupils of Ballymoney National School Ballineen are thrilled to be Cork County Overall Winners with Gaelscoil na Dúglaise Douglas winning the Cork City Overall Winners at the Cork County Federation Muintir ná Tíre School Garden Awards 2022 which were held in County Hall on Wednesday June 22nd 2022.

The Competition is in its tenth year after a brief halt during covid and this year saw a record amount of entries. The enthusiasm and high standard and quality shown from all the schools proved to the Judges that the project continues to be a huge success. The competition involves each school developing/planning a garden in their own way.  Both adults and students work together to decide what type of garden they want to create. The competition encourages all students to get involved in working in the garden and the competition also promotes sustainability and biodiversity. 

Mr Denis Kelly welcomed the schools involved and congratulated each school on their efforts. This was then followed by an audio visual presentation that showcased all of the schools hard work. Denis then thanked the Muintir ná Tíre sub group for all their hard work in making the Pride in the Community School Garden’s Awards a huge success. He also thanked Cork County & Cork City Council for their huge support.

Sean Holland Chair of the sub group of Cork County Federation Muintir ná Tíre was highly impressed with the standard of the gardens entered and spoke about the importance of getting into the garden and “getting your hands dirty.” He asked pupils to think outside the box and to include lots of colour in their gardens. He also thought that the Video on the gardens was a good way for new entrants to see other school’s work and come up with new ideas.

Mayor Gillian Coughlan was highly impressed with the enthusiasm from the children towards the School Garden Awards and encouraged everyone to get involved. She congratulated all the schools and said they were all winners & what they were learning now will stand to them in time. She hoped next year’s competition would be even bigger and better. Cllr Dan Boyle who deputised for the Lord Mayor of Cork City Cllr Colm Kelleher wished these initiatives were in schools in his day & commended the work of everyone involved to keep the school gardens competitions going while congratulating all the students who got involved. Seamus Forde of Muntir Cork praised all the support received & thanked the sponsors while commending the hard work of the committee and staff of Muintir Cork. Conor Nelligan Heritage Officer of Cork County Council thanked everyone for partaking and attending the Awards Ceremony. He said the competition was a huge success and congratulated all involved. Brendan Scahill HSE & Yvonne Cahalane of Muntir Cork were highly impressed with the commitment of all the pupils & post covid believed their gardens would benefit all schools by getting out and enjoying the garden, while building confidence & life skills.

Organised by Cork County Federation Muintir na Tire and Cork County & Cork City Council

 

8 Sidney Place,

Wellington Road Cork

 

Phone:0214500688                                                     email: admin@muintircork.com

Fax: 021450053                                                          website: Muintircork.com

 

Award Photos can Be seen at https://www.facebook.com/Muintircork

 

About the Competition:  The competition is run in conjunction with Cork County Council & Cork City Council Environment directorate and Heritage Section and sponsors Atkins.  The aim of the “Pride in the Community Schools Competition” is to support pupils, teachers in County Cork & Cork City, to bring nature, wildlife, plants and colours into their school grounds, to promote horticulture and biodiversity to give students a chance to interact with the environment and nature in a positive way. Studies have shown that school gardens promote positive environmental attitudes and provide an excellent opportunity to develop more positive attitudes towards science at an early age.

Full Results 2022

The  Award Winners Commended Gardens

Bandonbridge N.S.      

Gaelscoil an Teaghlaigh Naofa Ballyphehane

Morning Star NS Ballyphehane

School of Divine Child Lavanagh Centre Cork City

Conna NS. Scoil Naomh Eoin, Ballincurrig

Coomhola NS, Coolyleary, Bantry,       

Aghabullogue NS                                      

Carrigaline Educate Together NS,

Castletownsend NS

Ahiohill National School      

Leap National School, Kilmacabea

Scoil Mhuire Junior School Cork City

 

The  Award Winners Highly Commended Gardens

Gaelscoil Dhroichead na Banndan

Carriganima NS, Macroom,

Dripsey NS

Dromleigh NS, Kilmichael

Watergrasshill N.S,

Gaelscoil an Chaisleáin Ballincollig

North Presentation Primary School

Rathbarry N.S., Castlefreke

Scoil Mhuire Naofa Carrigtwohil

Scoil Eoin Church Hill Innishannon

Shanagarry NS

St. Colman`s NS Cloyne

St. Maries of the Isle Cork City

St. Mary's School, Rochestown

Templebreedy N.S., Crosshaven

 

The  Award Winners Best In Category

Curraglass NS

St.Columba`s GNS Douglas Best in Category Biodiversity

Strawberry Hill NS,  Best in Category Fun and Play

 

The Award winners Gold Medal winning Gardens

 

St Patrick's BNS Skibbereen

Muinefliuch NS, Macroom, Co. Cork

Beaumont GNS, Beaumont Cork City

Coachford NS

Derinagree National School, Mallow,

Gaelscoil  Charraig Uí Leighin,

Rusheen NS Coachford.

Scoil Chlochair Mhuire Carrigtwohill

Scoil Maria Assumpta, Ballyphehane

Scoil Phadraig Naofa Bandon

Timoleague NS,

Walterstown NS,

Vicarstown NS

 

The Awards

Overall Winners Cork City      Gaelscoil na Dúglaise

 

Overall Winners Cork County       Ballymoney National School, Ballinee

Do you have views about how it feels to grow older in Ireland? (update)

 We are delighted with the response to this. 

We would like more participation from men if you are available for this. 

Read on

 Do you have views about how it feels to grow older in Ireland which you’d like to share with others?  Have you ever attended a theatre play?

Are you available for four 3-hour long small group meetings to be held on UCC’s campus on the 14th and 28th of July, the 6th October and the 10th of November, 2022?  Refreshments will be provided.

Dr Eleanor Bantry White and Dr Elaine Desmond from University College Cork, in collaboration with Cork Cultural Companions and Muintir na Tíre, are running a research project called AgeACTED.

 This will involve using your views as the basis for a script for a theatre play which we will work on together.

The script will be formed from discussions at our meetings. It will look at your experiences,

both positive and negative, of ageing in Ireland. Information you provide will not be shared

without your full consent and we will work with you to ensure your identity is protected as

much as you wish it to be.

This is an opportunity to meet new people, have your voices heard, and seek recognition for

your needs and opinions as part of a growing number of older adults in Irish society.

If you’d like to discuss the project, and what is involved in participating, we would love to

hear from you! You can contact us by emailing your name and phone number to

e.bantrywhite@ucc.ie and edesmond@ucc.ie. We will then arrange a time that suits you for

a phone call to discuss the project.

We Act a campaign about celebrating the charity and community sector.

 

Hello there,

As you hopefully know by now, We Act is a campaign that’s all about celebrating the charity and community sector. It’s also about breaking down barriers and increasing understanding between the public and the organisations at work in their communities. Since the beginning of this campaign, it was an ambition to very literally open the doors of charities and community groups around Ireland, and to let the public see inside.  

And now is our chance!  

We Act is collaborating with Culture Night to host a special programme of events aimed at sharing your organisations with the public. Whether you’re in the arts space or you run overseas aid programmes, if you’re a tiny rural youth centre or a large mental health charity in a city, we want you to open your doors and showcase what you do for one evening, on Friday, 23 September 2022.  

What is Culture Night? 

Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir is brought to you by the Arts Council; it is a national moment, celebrating culture, creativity and the arts and seeks to actively promote the belief that this rich and varied culture is alive, treasured and nurtured in people’s lives, today and every day.  It is delivered nationwide in cities, towns, villages and rural locations as well as online and through media partners. Over 1.1 million people engaged with Culture Night in 2021. 

Doors are opened late and special and unique events are specifically programmed at participating locations and, thanks to the continued support of the Arts Council and Local Authorities across the island of Ireland, all activities are made available to the public free of charge. 

Why is We Act taking part in Culture Night? 

Charity and community work is part of our culture; looking out for your neighbours, washing the jerseys for your local team, hosting a coffee morning for a hospice, campaigning for causes you’re passionate about, or providing care, dignity and understanding for those who need it most.  We want to celebrate that aspect of our culture in all its forms. We want to share the work of organisations like yours, face to face, with your local communities and the wider public. And we are excited, after two years of closed doors and social distancing, to finally open up again and let people in!  

Why should my organisation take part?  

Taking part is a chance to showcase your organisation, the work you do and the impact you have. It’s an opportunity to connect with current or potential volunteers, supporters, participants or service users. You could collaborate with other local organisations, or bring in guest speakers, tour guides or performers. Culture Night is a large, vibrant, feel-good national event, and you could be part of it. Plus being part of the We Act @ Culture Night programme will help us to highlight your event and showcase the work you do across our platforms and in the media.  

How do we take part?  

Before you sign up, think about what you want to do for your event. Culture Night is not simply an open house, it’s about connection, discovery and celebration. Think about ways you can make your event more engaging. It doesn’t need to be elaborate, perhaps join forces with another organisation or plan a panel discussion, tour, music or performances.  

Remember, you don’t need to be an arts or heritage organisation to take part – we’re encouraging all kinds of charities and community groups to get involved!  

You can register for Culture Night here:
https://culturenight.ie/get-involved/ 

Important: please make sure you put We Act in the title of your event so it can be highlighted on the Culture Night website, and we can promote is as part of We Act @ Culture Night.  

The programme is managed at a county level through Local Arts Office, so you’ll be liaising with them on the event itself. However, if you’re signing up, email claire@wheel.ie to let us know and we can make sure we showcase your event and send out posters and badges.  

Got questions? Drop us a line claire@wheel.ie or visit culturenight.ie/get-involved 

Warm regards,   

Eva Gurn and Hannah Coleman, Boardmatch   

Áine Myler and Scott Kelley, Charities Institute Ireland   

Allen Dunne, Disability Federation of Ireland   

Ronan Doyle and Niamh Kingston, Dóchas   

Ivan Cooper, The Wheel   

Amy Woods and Nina Arwitz, Volunteer Ireland  

Claire McGowran, We Act Campaign 

"Everything You Wanted To Know About LGBTQI+... but were afraid to ask."

 Please see the attached poster for two LGBTQI+ Information sessions that will be held in Fermoy and Mallow on the 13th and 20th of July. The title of this is "Everything You Wanted To Know About LGBTQI+... but were afraid to ask." and is open to all members of the public as well as community and voluntary organisation members. 

 

Abode's Independent Living Programme is now accepting applications

The Independent Living Programme is for adults with a disability who would like to learn skills to become more independent.

Modules taught at level 3 include:

• Cookery
• Career Preparation
• Work Experience
• Computer Literacy
• Desktop Publishing
• Spreadsheets
• Word Processing
• Application of Number
• Personal Effectiveness
• Health and Safety
• Health and Fitness
• Art and Crafts

For more information contact Lorna in Abode on 0214916180. 

Autumn BTEI courses in the Q Centre

 Back to Education Initiative (BTEI)  

Provides part-time Further Education programmes for young people (aged 16 or over) and adults in North Cork. The aim is to give people an opportunity to combine a return to certified learning with family, work and other responsibilities. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions 

 

When are BTEI programmes available? 

Flexibility is the key word. Programmes can be offered on a part-time basis, in the mornings or afternoons. There are courses on all weekdays in the Centre, but you can sign up for 1 or more so you might only need to attend one session per week to complete a particular component, if that suits you.

 

HOW do I apply? 

Call Brendan Glynn (BTEI Co-ordinator) on 022 55452, or email: brendan.glynn@corketb.ie.  Courses are free to eligible participants – priority is especially given to young adults (16 years or older) who left school early, medical card holders and social welfare recipients are also eligible.  All social welfare payments are retained by you while doing a BTEI course. 

 

 

What courses are being offered? 

BTEI North Cork is currently offering QQI courses at Level 3, 4 and 5 in:

 

Horticulture (Level 4)

General Learning (Level 3 & 4)

Barbering (Level 5)

Office Skills & IT (Level 4)

Upholstery & Combined Materials (Level 5)

 

Within the General Learning course, learners can choose options such as Upholstery, Art, Healthcare, Customer Service, ICT (Introduction & Intermediate Computers).  

  

Who can take part in BTEI programmes? 

Anyone who has finished with full-time education (those who are left school or college) can take part in a course being offered, but priority will be given to those with less than upper second level education and those on a Social Welfare payment. 

  

What will a BTEI course cost? 

Those in receipt of unemployment payments or means-tested Social Welfare benefits, and holders of Medical Cards, and their dependants, are entitled to FREE BTEI courses. Other unwaged people with less than upper second level education are also entitled to FREE courses. The remainder will be charged fees of €100 per year. 

 

For people in receipt of Social Welfare payments, continued entitlement to benefit is subject to satisfying the Department of Social Protection as to their continued eligibility for the schemes. It is best to discuss individual circumstances with the Social Welfare office. 

  

Will I obtain certification for a BTEI course? 

All BTEI courses offer a nationally recognised certificate, in QQI, at levels 3, 4 or 5.  

 

What will I get from taking part in a BTEI programme? 

Participation in part-time certified programmes can provide opportunities to: 

•          Continue your learning with us

•          Obtain national certification (QQI)

•          Develop new skills 

•          Pursue new employment options 

 

WHY is this course a good step for me? 

If you have completed your Junior Certificate (or equivalent); but left school before completing the full Leaving Certificate this course will give you a chance to improve your Communications, Personal skills, Maths, Computer and many other skills in an Adult Education Centre.  Those without Junior or Inter Cert are also eligible, with extra support offered if required. 

 

WHEN can I start? 

Classes will start at various times during the year, to allow for flexibility, although they usually start in September and also around January time.  Classes are usually between 2 and 5 hours per week with small class sizes of usually 7-10, with a maximum of 15 learners. 

 

WHERE are the courses being held? 

In Cork ETB Adult Education Centres in Charleville, Millstreet, Fermoy, Mallow and Mitchelstown. 

 

Music Scheme Returns to West Cork Towns This Summer

 

Cork County Council’s Special Music Event Scheme returns to West Cork this month with free musical entertainment in Bandon, Kinsale, Skibbereen, Clonakilty and Dunmanway. This community-driven initiative aims to promote tourism in West Cork and is a collaborative project between the Council, businesses and the community.

Now in its fifth year, the Special Music Event Scheme has seen many high-quality musicians take to the stage in previous years. This year is no different with talented local groups performing a mix of brass and reed as well as traditional music, song and dance by local Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann music groups. Spanning 18 dates, the programme runs until the end of August.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan welcomed the announcement of the 2022 programme, saying

“The Special Music Event Scheme has brought a fantastic atmosphere to Cork County Council’s West Cork and Bandon Kinsale Municipal District in the past and I am sure it will continue this tradition with its return to our streets for 2022. The success of this initiative is all thanks to the interest and enthusiasm shown by the local business associations and the community music groups. They have worked so hard together to promote their local towns as destinations in which to experience Cork’s unique hospitality and culture. I would encourage people of all ages to check out this year’s programme and to plan a visit to one of the participating towns to sample the marvellous musical talent of our local musicians.”

Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey added,

“This scheme is one of many initiatives the Council has put place to support and nurture the Arts and live entertainment at a local level. Since its establishment, the Special Music Event Scheme has encouraged and promoted music events that involve significant voluntary input while also encouraging businesses to work with volunteers to promote their local towns. Cork County Council recognizes the contribution that these music events can make to the lives of people in the county with cultural and social benefits as well as boosting the local economy and enhancing the vibrancy of our towns.”

Do you have views about how it feels to grow older in Ireland

 Do you have views about how it feels to grow older in Ireland which you’d like to share with others?  Have you ever attended a theatre play?

Are you available for four 3-hour long small group meetings to be held on UCC’s campus on the 14th and 28th of July, the 6th October and the 10th of November, 2022?  Refreshments will be provided.

Dr Eleanor Bantry White and Dr Elaine Desmond from University College Cork, in collaboration with Cork Cultural Companions and Muintir na Tíre, are running a research project called AgeACTED.

 This will involve using your views as the basis for a script for a theatre play which we will work on together.

The script will be formed from discussions at our meetings. It will look at your experiences,

both positive and negative, of ageing in Ireland. Information you provide will not be shared

without your full consent and we will work with you to ensure your identity is protected as

much as you wish it to be.

This is an opportunity to meet new people, have your voices heard, and seek recognition for

your needs and opinions as part of a growing number of older adults in Irish society.

If you’d like to discuss the project, and what is involved in participating, we would love to

hear from you! You can contact us by emailing your name and phone number to

e.bantrywhite@ucc.ie and edesmond@ucc.ie. We will then arrange a time that suits you for

a phone call to discuss the project.

Cork Co Co Pops

June 17th

Long Way Home Duo

The Schoolyard Theatre,
Old Limerick Road,
Charleville

8pm

TBC

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June 18th

The Story written and
performed by Timmy
O’Mahony.

The Inkwell Theatre, Tracton

8pm

TBC

Songs for a Summers
Evening with The Fiona
Kennedy Trio.

Short Quay Kinsale

7.30pm - 8.30 pm

Tickets from Fiona Kennedy

The Duhallow Bluegrass
Sessions; The Prairie
Jaywalkers

Bobs Bar, Kanturk,

5pm

TBC Tickets

Ballet Gala Summer 2022

Uillinn – West Cork Arts
Centre, Skibbereen

3pm - 8pm

Tickets

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June 19th

Ballet Gala Summer 2022

Uillinn – West Cork Arts
Centre, Skibbereen

3pm - 8pm

Tickets

---

 

June 24th

Sandra Corrigan Breathnach
and Alastair MacLennon:
Elements

Sarah Walker Gallery,
The Pier
Castletownbere

6pm

Free

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June 25th

Long Way Home Duo

Fermoy Town Park

3pm

Tickets : Free

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June 26th

The Duhallow Bluegrass
Sessions

Bobs Bar, Kanturk

4pm

TBC TICKETS

The O’Donoghue

Cultúrlann, Newmarket

2pm - 4pm

€15 at the Door

Cois Laoi Productions
presents Glór Binn

Tiny Feet Fairy Gardens,
Macroom

2pm - 4pm

TBC

Spero Quartet Jennifer Murphy, violin
Brigid Leman, violin
David Kenny, viola
Yseult Cooper Stockdale,
cello

The Mall Arts Centre,
Youghal

3.30pm

FREE Tickets from Eventbrite

Event Date

Public Consultation on New Library Strategy

 

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has launched a public consultation on the development of a new strategy for the public library service. The main objective of this consultation is to seek the views of the public and understand attitudes towards the library service and it will also seek feedback on how services can be improved in terms of access, use and visibility of the public library.

 The consultation will assist in the development of a new Public Library Strategy which will be published next year. This strategy will underpin ongoing government and local authority investment in the public library service over the next five years.

 The new strategy will be the successor to ‘Our Public Libraries 2022 – Inspiring, Connecting and Empowering Communities’ which has overseen much progress in the public library service in Ireland over the past five years. The new strategy will be equally ambitious in continuing to grow the library service.

 Speaking about the importance of engaging with this consultation, Minister Humphreys said:

 “Our public libraries play a vital role in the community – providing a safe and welcome educational space for people of all ages. They are also a place for us to visit, to relax, to take a breath and to delve into the wonderful world of story-telling.

 This particular strategy builds on the significant process that have been made under previous strategies and will bring our libraries onto the next stage of their development.

 The public library service belongs to you, our citizens. And so, we want to hear from you.”

The Minister added: “Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, our libraries continued to provide vital services to people of all ages in communities across the country. I really want to pay tribute to the dedicated and hard-working library staff who are a credit to themselves and the communities in which they work.

 This consultation will give the public a wonderful opportunity to give their views on how we can continue to improve our library service – so that our citizens young and old can reap the benefits.”

People are invited to complete the survey online at www.LibrariesIreland.ie or alternatively, visit their local library to complete it in person. The consultation will run for the next five weeks with the closing date scheduled for 5pm on 9 July, 2022. The delivery of the strategy is a key commitment in Our Rural Future, the Government’s ambitious five-year policy to revitalise Rural Ireland.

BLOOMSDAY AT CORK COUNTY LIBRARY. 11AM THURSDAY 16TH JUNE, 2022 AT 11AM

 A golden opportunity to view Joyce’s Ulysses

To celebrate Bloomsday 2022 and the centenary of the publication of Ulysses, Cork County Council Library and Arts Service is planning to exhibit its first edition copy of James Joyce’s Ulysses. This book forms part of a donation to Cork County Library by the Peter Golden Committee and this act of generosity is also celebrated in this exhibition.

In addition to displaying the actual book, staff in the County Library’s local studies section have also researched fascinating details about how the book made its journey from Paris to New York in 1922, its connection to Peter Golden and the Joyce family’s own connections to Cork.

This particular copy has very special connections to Cork.  It was owned by Macroom native Peter Golden who emigrated to the US in 1901 and who for nearly twenty years worked to promote the cause of Irish Independence in North America.

Joyce’s family also had close connections to Cork.  Joyce’s paternal grandfather James Augustine was born close to Castlehyde near Fermoy and his father John Stanislaus was born in Cork in 1849.

The exhibition is open to the public on June 16^th 17^th 20^th and 21^st, 9am – 5.30pm.

www.corkcoco.ie

Men’s Health Week

 

HSE Health and Wellbeing are hosting a webinar for Men’s Health Week on Monday, 13th June (at 12noon) with special guest former ex pro footballer Paul Ferris. You can register  for the webinar here.

This year's Men’s Health Week will begin on June 13^th and the call is for men to see that the ‘Mission: is Possible’ and that support and information is available to make lifestyle changes to support their wellbeing. Get involved this year with an event in your area, for support and more information please go to the Men's Health Forum in Ireland.

Carers Event

Are you caring for a vulnerable person?

Give yourself a chance to relax and unwind as we share the importance of self-care when caring for others.

 

Ballyhoura Development, under the Healthcare Opportunities for Women Programme celebrates the valuable work and support provided by carers across local communities as part of the Carers Week, June 13th - 19th.

 

This is a FREE event for all people caring for vulnerable individuals taking place on Monday, 13th of June 2022 from 10am until 12:30pm at the Charleville Park Hotel.

 

Registration required via the link below.

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What to expect?

• Welcome with tea/coffee on arrival.
• A keynote speaker, Sharon Myers aka #OurWheelyBigJourney will talk about her experiences as a family carer.
• Deirdre Kennedy will provide a short piece on “Communicate to Connect” – a guided interactive session on whole body listening.
• Relax and unwind with Joanne O'Callaghan's yoga session.
• Light refreshments.

 

You can register your attendance through the below link:

 

Register

 

For any further information, please contact Nichola Grufferty at ngrufferty@ballyhoura.org or 063-30694 / 086-6003665.