All About Cork: Preparation works begin at ‘The Mangala’

Last Saturday morning saw Douglas Tidy Towns focus on maintaining a much-loved local amenity.

Starting earlier at 9.30am to avoid the forecast downpour (which duly arrived just after 11am), it was the turn of the Ballybrack Woods walk, affectionately known as ‘The Mangala’, to benefit from the latest monthly Douglas Tidy Towns work party.

The route is used by hundreds of locals every day, from dog walkers to runners and cyclists, as well as those simply using it as a pleasant, safe, and traffic-free active travel route to the community park or village centre. 

The semi-urban woodland area is also a thriving education venue, with school classes and guided walks a common sight along the route.

The arrival of summer has seen a burst of plant growth in recent weeks which, although welcome, can encroach on the walkway. 

Volunteers strimmed away excess growth along most of the main path edges, allowing safe and unobstructed passage for pedestrians and revealing a series of foraging and safety signs along the route. They were also delighted to try out a new edging machine kindly lent for the day by Ballincollig Tidy Towns.

Given the balmy weather in the days before, it was hoped to give footbridges, as well as the top of the mural wall on the Church Road end of the Mangala, a fresh coat of paint, but the weather-warning of rainfall put paid to that. 

Not to be deterred, volunteers got busy scraping and preparing the areas for painting in the near future.

Stakes and ties attached to trees that were previously planted as part of the OPW’s Douglas Flood Relief project were removed, as they were in danger of cutting into the growing trunks. The visit also gave volunteers a chance to see how well the hedgerow that was planted as part of a previous work party has flourished, and to see a guelder rose in flower.

Following a power wash by the city council earlier in the week, growth around the mural was cut back in preparation for a repainting and a refreshed design. 

Local students are now working on a new, simplified design that will be easier to maintain, set to be completed in September 2024.

Regular Douglas Tidy Towns activities will be resuming next Saturday morning, and new volunteers are always welcome.

Anyone looking for a little motivation to get out walking while also making a valuable contribution to their locality is invited to come along and meet the crew at the Tidy Towns shed at 10.30am outside the Douglas Community Centre.

Lord Mayor launches 31st book - Cork: A Potted History

Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy, the Lord Mayor of Cork, has launched his new book — Cork: A Potted History.

It is book number 31 for the Lord Mayor, and is published by Amberely Press.

The book is a walking trail, which can be physically pursued or you can simply follow it from your armchair. Cork: A Potted History builds upon Kieran’s other book from Amberley, Secret Cork, but this time it takes the viewer on a walking trail of more than 40 sites.

It takes a line from the city’s famous natural lake known just as The Lough across the former medieval core, ending in the historic north suburbs of Blackpool.

Starting at The Lough – a Cork gem – which once hosted everything from duels to ice skating and its own tree nursery, the trail then rambles to hidden moats, ancient hospital sites, lost meeting houses, legacies of medieval remnants, across ancient streetscapes to exploring forgotten industrial urban spaces.

The book reveals the city’s lesser-known heritage and hidden urban and cultural heritage features.

Douglas-based Mr McCarthy said: “Places matter in Cork. The city’s urban landscape is filled with stories about its past. With some sites you might stop and contemplate as you’re passing by, and many others might not be given a second look.

“But a second and even a third look can reveal some interesting historical nuggets and curiosities about Cork’s development. In Cork it always pays to look above the ground floor to shop and house level”.

“From its marshy foundations at the lowest crossing point of the River Lee, the city spread across its steep suburban hillsides. This book is a cross-sectional journey from the south of the city to its northern prospects, commenting on a rich range of historic spaces, streets and laneways.

“The book opens with the Lough and showcases one the city’s key amenities, attracting people from across the city.

“Many local historians like Richard Henchion and Declan Myers have written on this district, plus areas like Glasheen, Ballyphehane and Togher.

“This 18-acre freshwater lake was created by the erosion of moving ice during one of the glacial periods, sometime between 10,000 and 2 million years ago. It rests on a bed of limestone running east and west about 60 feet above sea level. It is the natural collection basin into which the higher encircling ground is drained. It is also fed by rainwater and by five subterranean streams.

“In 1690, during the Williamite Campaign in Ireland, a detachment of King William of Orange’s army regrouped at The Lough prior to pressing the assault, which became known as the Siege of Cork.

“In the early eighteenth century, the lands around the lake were deemed commonage lands and rented out by the Corporation of Cork,” concluded Mr McCarthy.

Mr McCarthy’s next walking tour: Monday, June 3: Stories from Blackrock and Mahon, Historical Walking Tour with Kieran of Blackrock Village, from Blackrock Castle to nineteenth century houses and fishing. Meet in adjacent car park at base of Blackrock Castle, 2pm, free, two hours, finishes at railway line walk.

Douglas and District Lions Club seeking new members

Douglas and District Lions Club are busy at present and are keen to attract new volunteer members to the club.

They meet once a month in Douglas, normally on the first Monday.

They are involved in helping those in need locally, as well as managing Lion House, a centre located close to the community park, providing secure housing for up to 20 residents.

Douglas and District Lions Club would like to hear from you if you have some time to spare and would like to consider joining the group.

They welcome contact from both ladies and gents.

For more information, please ring or text Ollie Carroll on 087 2065103 or send an email to douglaslions@gmail.com and they will get back to you with further details.

Learn CPR and save a life

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you found a member of your family unconscious? Would you know what to do? Can you use a defibrillator? Do you know how to do baby CPR? The sooner you get to a person in cardiac arrest the better chance they have. Only a few classes are needed to teach you what to do if necessary.

A series of basic CPR classes are being offered free of charge to train people how to deal with such situations. St Luke’s Community in Douglas has kindly donated their Canon Packham Hall for the training. A number of professional trainers offer their services free of charge.

Classes are held on the second Tuesday of every month, beginners at 6.45pm and regulars at 8pm.

The 8pm class includes role plays and is open to anyone with relevant experience.

The next classes are tomorrow night. Further details available from John Clifford 087 2462629 or Ronnie McGinn 087 1672715.

Clarity needed on bus times

Labour Party candidate for Cork City South East Peter Horgan has said the rail announcements are welcome but fail to address congestion issues in the southside of the city, leaving areas like Douglas, Blackrock, Carrigaline and Donnybrook still subject to an overreliance on private car journeys.

“I called for the frequencies of BusConnects, which can bring forward more additional services. The corridors are only one part of BusConnects,” said Mr Horgan.

“The other elements of BusConnects are designed to increase capacity and that can be done by higher frequency on routes currently existing."

Routes like the 223 in Rochestown is expected to go from once an hour to every 30 minutes. Let’s make that happen now, let’s encourage bus usage and make some effort to reduce the congestion in Cork city.

“If the issue is Public Service Obligation funding then where is the BusConnects proposals other than the corridors. Let’s front up that funding now.”

Have Douglas news to share? Email Rory.Noonan@theecho.ie