All About Cork: Sunflower Day to raise vital funds for hospices

Marymount University Hospital and Hospice in Curraheen is encouraging people to support this year’s Together for Hospice Sunflower Days campaign.

Marymount has said that peoples’ support for Sunflower Days this June will create a hugely positive impact in providing vital care to patients and their families.

“Our wonderful volunteers will have lots of beautiful Sunflower Day merchandise to brighten up your day on the 7th/8th and June this year. All funds raised locally, stay locally and all donations support those who we have the privilege of caring for,” Marymount posted on social media.

Together for Hospice represents 26 hospice and specialist palliative care providers nationwide and exists to support and enable these frontline services to fundraise collectively at a national level.

The annual Hospice Sunflower Days on-street collection will take place on Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8 and volunteers will take to the streets of Cork city to raise funds for Marymount Hospice.

All funds raised through the on-street collection and via the virtual sunflower garden will go directly to supporting Marymount.

Hospices nationwide need to raise approximately €20 million each year as demand for services continues to grow.

In 2023, hospice services across Ireland cared for more than 18,350 patients and made more than 87,000 homecare visits.

There are a number of ways people can get involved and support their local hospices next week, including organising a fundraising event or collection; registering to host a sunflower fun day at their local primary school, montessori school or care group; dedicating a sunflower online to remember a loved one or donating to volunteer collectors over the weekend.

To organsise a fundraising event or collection, get in touch with the fundraising team on fundraising@marymount.ie or 021 486 9100.

For more information about Hospice Sunflower Days and how to register to host a fundraising event or to make a donation, visit https://sunflowerdays.togetherforhospice.ie/.

MTU mentorship programme

Expressions of interest are open for Munster Technological University’s (MTU) Joint Mentorship Programme (JMP).

The programme is a student employer engagement initiative which aims to match current students with professionals - the majority of whom are graduates - from a wide range of sectors to exchange business experience, knowledge, expertise and career advice.

The initiative aims to enhance connections between MTU students and alumni in relevant industries as well as encouraging and supporting engagement between the university and the alumni community.

The programme offers the opportunity for organisations to build their brand further at MTU, share job prospects with current students in a competitive recruitment market and influence the workforce of the future.

As the 2023-2024 MTU Joint Mentorship Programme draws to a close, the university looks to next year's programme, which is now open, to offer participants a chance to embark on a transformative journey of growth, learning, and collaboration.

Expressions of interest can be made online by visiting https://tinyurl.com/4wa7nv82.

Talk on hero Tom Barry

Bishopstown Library is set to host a presentation exploring Tom Barry’s road to rebellion in the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War.

The ‘From Gunner to Guerrilla – Tom Barry’s Road to Rebellion’ presentation will be given by the Cork Branch of the Western Front Association on Saturday, June 8 at 2pm.

The Western Front Association is a non-political group formed in 1980 to maintain interest in the period 1914-1918, to perpetuate the memory of those on all sides who served their countries in France and Flanders and their own countries during the Great War.

Its members meet regularly to learn, share, explore and exchange information and knowledge with like-minded people in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

The WFA usually meet on the last Saturday of each month and the next meeting following Saturday’s presentation at BIshopstown Library will be on Saturday, July 27.

Meanwhile, Bishopstown Library is reminding people of its Knit and Natter group which meets every Tuesday at 10.30am. All are welcome, admission is free and no booking is required.

Cork Sports Partnership Primary Schools Athletics Blitz

US ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ winner to host Cork on a Fork event

MTU Bishopstown graduate Ryan O’Sullivan, who was recently announced as the US Hell’s Kitchen winner, is set to host a special culinary event as part of the Cork on a Fork Festival.

The event will see Mr O’Sullivan and The River Lee’s executive head chef, Paul Lane, prepare a six-course tasting menu showcasing the finest local ingredients and innovative culinary techniques.

The event is at The River Lee Hotel on Sunday, August 18, as part of the Cork on a Fork Festival, which runs August 14 to August 18.

The festival is run and supported by Cork City Council in partnership with local hospitality, Fáilte Ireland, Pure Cork, Cork Business Association. Cork Airport are sponsors.

Mr O’Sulllivan’s journey began with the Culinary Studies programme at MTU Bishopstown, and post-graduation he enriched his experience at esteemed establishments such as Maryborough Hotel and The River Lee Hotel, paving the way for his successful venture into the American culinary scene.

Speaking about the event, Mr O’Sullivan, said: “What an honour it is to be included in this year’s festival, not only to represent myself and my hometown but to be cooking alongside some of Ireland’s best chefs.

“We look forward to hosting a special dinner curated by myself and chef Paul Lane, one of my first mentors who helped me hone my skills before my venture stateside. This will be one for the history books.”

Tickets for An Evening with Ryan O’Sullivan are selling quickly, so early booking is recommended. Visit www.corkcity.ie/en/cork-on-a-fork-fest/ to book.

CUH Golf Classic sponsor

Cork University Hospital (CUH) has announced that Blackwater Motors Group has come on board as the lead sponsor for this year’s Dr Con Murphy Charity Golf Classic.

Now in our fourth year, this event is growing in strength and revenue every year. Funds this year will continue to help CUH Charity with its mission of saving and changing lives.

This annual charity tournament has raised more than €80,000 to support vital services in CUH and Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH), and is going from strength to strength each year.

CUH Charity has said that the sky’s the limit for the event now that Blackwater Motors Group is on board.

To celebrate the news, Dr Con Murphy was joined by rugby legend, CUH Charity ambassador and Audi Cork ambassador Peter O’Mahony at the Audi showroom on Bandon Rd.

Dr Con Murphy, a retired GP who was physician to Cork GAA for more than four decades, has been spearheading a series of fundraisers over the last number of years to support vital services at the hospital.

The golf classic, at Fota Hotel and Golf Resort on Thursday, September 12, promises a day of fun, competition, and prizes.

Early bird slots for teams of four, including a two-course meal and tee times between 8.30am and 10.20am, cost €400. Tee times
between 10.50am and 3.30pm, include a two-course meal, cost €600 per team of four.

To book a tee time email info@cuhcharity.ie.