All About Cork: Former mayor ‘alarmed’ at Ballincollig casino proposal

Former mayor ‘alarmed’ at Ballincollig casino proposal

A former lord mayor of Cork has said he is “quite alarmed” about a proposed casino in Ballincollig.

Last month, agents for Coalquay Leisure Limited lodged proposals with Cork City Council, seeking permission for a “gaming/amusement arcade” at a vacant commercial premises at unit four, Westside Retail Park.

The cover letter of the change-of-use application submitted on behalf of Coalquay Leisure Limited states: “Our clients are experienced operators of gaming/amusement arcades around the country, with ‘Goldrush Casinos’ established in Cork, Dublin, and various town centres such as Carlow, Naas, Ennis, Athy, and Wexford.” 

Coalquay’s application contends that the development would not have any negative impacts on the amenities of residents.

Last week, Joe Lynch, one of Sinn Féin’s candidates in Cork City South West, said he had lodged an objection against the proposed development.

Fianna Fáil councillor Colm Kelleher, who served as lord mayor two years ago, told The Echo that he intended to make a submission to the council’s planning department.

“I am quite alarmed at what is being attempted in this planning application and what is being proposed to go in to the Westside Retail Park. It’s adjacent to a residential area, it’s in very close proximity to a school, and I would be fearful of what might happen with the late opening hours that are proposed,” Mr Kelleher said.

While we have to allow the planning process to run its course, I personally don’t think that what is being proposed is the right fit for Ballincollig. This comes very soon after a crèche, something that is badly needed in Ballincollig, being refused planning and I don’t believe the planners made the right decision in relation to that.

“I am opposed to the proposed casino for Ballincollig, and I will be making an observation to that effect to the planners,” he added.

Cork City Council is due to make a decision on the change-of-use application by June 6. Coalquay Leisure Limited was asked for comment.

Darkness into Light a success

Darkness into Light was a great success in Ballincollig this year, with 1,600 people rising before dawn to raise funds for Pieta.

Pieta provides a professional one-to-one therapeutic service to people who are suicidal, those who engage in self-harm, and those bereaved by suicide. All of the services are provided free of charge and no referral is needed.

Catriona Casey, who helped organise Ballincollig’s event, thanked the organising committee, Ballincollig Community School for hosting the walk, and all of the volunteers, stewards and sponsors who made DiL possible. 

“It was a great turn-out from people who came to support the work of Pieta. The White Horse Gospel Choir really set the tone for a very uplifting and hopeful walk,” Ms Casey said.

To avail of Pieta services, visit www.pieta.ie or call 0818 111 126.

Pieta provides 24/7 support via the freephone crisis helpline on 1800 247 247, or text HELP to 51444.

Art therapy for men

A new, six-week series of art-therapy classes for men will begin next week, with art psychotherapist Patrick Byrne. The classes will commence in the Ballincollig Family Centre on Tuesday, May 21, and will run over six weeks.

“Men typically don’t come to events like this,” Mr Byrne told The Echo.

“It’s generational. Men wouldn’t be that emotional, because we were never encouraged to be, for various reasons. A lot of men are afraid to be emotional.” Mr Byrne said those thinking about joining the classes did not need to be artistic.

The art will be symbolic. If you think about it, all our memories are in picture form. So you can draw your emotions, taking them out of you so you can look at them.

For more information, call 021 4876295.

Guide Dogs fundraiser

National charity Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, which is based in Carrigrohane, will hold its fundraising Guide Dog Day on Friday, May 24, this year. Members of the charity will be collecting across Cork city, and they promise that they will be accompanied by some of their four-legged friends.

In Kinsale, the collection will be on Friday at SuperValu, while in Carrigaline the collection will take place on Friday and Saturday at Collins’s SuperValu. In Bantry, the charity will be collecting on Friday at O’Keeffe’s SuperValu, and there will be a Guide Dog Day walk on the Bantry boardwalk at 11am on Saturday, May 25.

In Wilton, the collection will take place at the Wilton Shopping Centre.

In Macroom, the collection will take place on Saturday, May 26, and there will be a Guide Dog Day walk starting at 11am at the Macroom GAA clubhouse and proceeding through the castle grounds.

Closer to Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind’s home, in Ballincollig, the charity will be collecting at Quish’s SuperValu in the West Village and at the Ballincollig Shopping Centre.

On Sunday, May 26, celebrate Guide Dog Day with a 5k walk starting at 11am at the Inniscarra entrance of Ballincollig Regional Park.

Pyke Mass for deceased

The Pyke Theatre Group will hold its annual Mass for deceased members, relatives, families and friends at 7.30pm this evening, May 14, in Ballincollig Rugby Club in Tanner Park. 

The Mass will be followed by the theatre group’s usual scriacht, which will in turn be followed by teas and coffees, sandwiches, and a raffle. All are welcome for what will be the Pyke Theatre Group’s final scriacht until September. 

A night of music, song and dance is promised by group chair Jimmy Healy.

White Horse comedy club

The White Horse Comedy Club returns at 8pm on Wednesday, May 22, at the White Horse, in Ballincollig’s West Village, with host and MC Chris Kent joined by special guests Danny O’Brien and Brian Gallagher.

Danny O’Brien has been performing stand-up comedy for more than 14 years, headlining regularly at top comedy clubs and festivals worldwide.

As a resident host of The Comedy Crunch, The Laughter Lounge, and the owner of Drumhill Event Management in Dublin, he is described by The White Horse as ‘comedically experienced, high energy and anecdotal style draws’. 

Brian Gallagher is a rising star of Irish comedy. He has had three sold-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe, performed on both RTÉ and Virgin Media and is the resident MC of Ireland’s biggest comedy club, The Laughter Lounge.

GAA club weekly lottery

The numbers drawn in the weekly Ballincollig GAA Club lottery on Thursday, May 9 were: 20, 24, 27, and 36. 

With a lottery jackpot of €20,000, there was no jackpot winner drawn last week, and consolation prizes went to Patrick Kelly (€100), Dara Dorgan (€50), and Steve Dixon (€50). Next draw on Thursday.

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