Pictures: Children and parents join Cork's Lord Mayor for National Play Day

Bell’s Field offers some of the finest views of the city, looking down across the brewery valley, with a panorama stretching from St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, away to the left, to Churchfield, to the right, passing the city centre and what Cónal Creedon calls the Red City of Gurranabraher, and taking in St Anne’s Shandon and the North Cathedral along the way.

On a Saturday in July, some of Cork’s youngest citizens enjoyed the view from Bell’s Field and had a fantastic time for National Play Day.

For the fourth consecutive year, Cork City Council, in collaboration with Let’s Play Cork, marked the day, this year with a series of events at ‘Cork’s Play Olympics’ on Saturday, July 20.

Hosted by the Lord Mayor, Green Party councillor Dan Boyle, the morning started with a Teddy Bear’s Brunch at 11am, catering for children up to the age of 12.

This event featured free play opportunities with Let’s Play Cork play packs, facilitated games, music, and face painting.

Cork Healthy Cities and The Metropole Hotel came together to provide healthy snacks.

The Lord Mayor said it had been a very special event and one he had thoroughly enjoyed.

“Bell’s Field was a perfect venue for the event,” Mr Boyle said. “It was a huge pleasure to see so many children enjoying themselves.”

“Good to see the emphasis on healthy snacks as well.

“I made myself very popular distributing muffins made with berries!”

Martha Halbert, of the Cork City Council community team, said the National Play Day celebrations were a highlight of community play pop-ups in Cork.

“Over the last four years, the event has given Cork City Council the impetus to try new and dynamic play pilots across the city, whether that be beach volleyball in Marina Park in 2023, chalking and street games on Noonan’s Road, or street play on the Grand Parade,” Ms Halbert said.

“This year, we were excited to bring the Play Olympics to Bell’s Field and it was wonderful to see play teams of all ages, from all communities, come and enjoy this fantastic public space with Corkonians from all over the world.”

Martin O’Donoghue, play co-ordinator with Let’s Play Cork, said that it had been a special privilege to see so many people turn out on the day.

“In Let’s Play Cork, we talk about children from nought to 99, and we really hope this National Play Day inspired everyone who turned out to experience a playful day with us in the glorious arena that is Bell’s Field,” Mr O’Donoghue said.

“This year, the VQ played its part by lending us the Metropole’s head chef to cater our Teddy Bear’s Picnic! It was lovely to see caregivers, toddlers, teenagers, grandparents and everyone in between letting their hair down and embracing our Play Olympic spirit for the special day,” Mr O’Donoghue said.

National Play Day is supported by Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Let’s Play Cork is an inter-agency group supported by Cork City Council, Cork Healthy Cities, Cork Local Sports Partnership, Meitheal Mara, Cork Education and Training Board, YMCA Cork, Foróige, University College Cork and Let’s Grow Together Knocknaheeny.