All About Cork: Douglas students lift community spirits with substation project

Transition year art students from Douglas Community School transformed a graffiti-ridden ESB substation into a bright new attraction for the local park.

On the invitation of Douglas Tidy Towns, and under the guidance of art teacher Annette Millard, the students brought their considerable skills and creativity out of the classroom and into the public sphere to create a vibrant mural as art of their utility hub art project.

The result has been to beautify the summer environment and has already caught the attention of grateful locals, many of whom stop to experience the artwork.

“We began by brainstorming ideas in class, looking at nature especially patterns and colours,” said Ms Millard.

“We also looked at animal species native to Ireland. This stimulated the idea of flight in various different forms with the intention to help lift people spirits.

“We painted three interconnecting scenes —one with a robin, which is Ireland’s most widespread garden bird; the second, a group of hot air balloons which creates a feeling of calm, peacefulness and elevation, while also adding a pop of colour.

“The second interconnection scene featured a last-minute addition suggested by Robbie O’Sullivan, namely a mini Douglas to add interest on the landscape. This scene features legendary Douglas landmarks such as KC’s, John O’Sullivans, St Columba’s Church, Tesco, Dino’s, and of course Douglas Community School.

“The third scene portrays a giant monarch butterfly which symbolises hope and transformation.

“We hope that this scene will be an interactive piece where people can stand in front of these giant wings for a photo opportunity.

“The final part of the process was to find a quote that might motivate others to volunteer and become involved in our community. Douglas Community Park is an intergenerational space where people can visit at their leisure and it needs constant care so this mural might inspire others to help in its upkeep making it a place to be very proud of.

“This is the first time our students have completed a Community Art Project in Douglas and they thoroughly enjoyed it, even working on the project during their holidays to ensure it was finished on schedule! After the initial inspection of the space the mural took three days in total to finish.

“It has brought the group closer together with their classmates and their community. Many passers-by stopped to have a chat with the students, inquiring about their inspiration, techniques and interests. We would like to thank Douglas Tidy Towns for asking us to take part in this project and for their support throughout.”

Horgan calls for capital funding to be released now

Labour Party Candidate Peter Horgan has welcomed the confirmation that all valid applications by clubs who applied for Sports Capital funding will receive funding but said that leaving the decision until the autumn is a summer lost for clubs who have begun construction work and need funds to finish such projects in good weather.

“It’s disappointing that clubs will lose a summer of construction for project that have been very much overdue,” said Mr Horgan.

“Simple projects like dressing rooms are now paused in the wait for funding under this scheme. There must be some mechanism where definitive dates can be given for the final allocation.

“If a decision on the overall project funding of €250m has been agreed then there must be some document showing indicative figures. Those indicative figures should be used to frontload projects in Cork clubs that are already under construction so no further time is lost. A definitive cut off date for application was adhered to, the same should apply for allocations.”

Twinning delegation

Carrigaline Twinning Association welcomed a delegation of 24 from their sister city Newport News, Virginia, USA on Monday for a short visit. The twinning began last March 2023 when Newport News delegation visited Carrigaline and later in the year a delegation from Carrigaline made a return visit.

Among the delegation were 14 university students from Christopher Newport University who are doing work experience helping with the maintenance in Camden Fort Meagher and in St Matthews Church and Templebreedy Graveyard in Crosshaven where they will lay gravel footpaths. The students also helped to install a bee lodge at Carrigaline Tidy Towns butterfly garden and did some planting and weeding. On Tuesday the rest of the delegation visited Haulbowline Island, Cobh Heritage Centre and Cathedral and the Jameson Distillery in Midleton and later in the evening they were entertained at the Corner House.

On Wednesday they visited Blarney Castle, and Woollen Mills. Later in the evening they had an exhibition of hurling at the GAA club where they got an opportunity to try their hands at the skills of using the hurley and sliothar. On Thursday they visited the city where they took an open top bus tour and saw the sights of Cork. On Friday they went to Kinsale and later in the evening they had a reception at the Oar in Crosshaven.

Knock pilgrimage

There is still a place or two available on the bus for the annual Carrigaline pilgrimage to Knock, which takes place on the weekend of Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30.

Following President Joe Biden’s visit to Knock shrine it has become more popular than ever and is having a very busy season this year. Cost is €185 per person sharing, including meals. Contact Aislinn (021) 4372035/087 9699488 or Mary (021) 4371025 or (021) 4373316.

Have Douglas news to share? Email rory.noonan@theecho.ie