It has been a busy couple of weeks for Douglas Tidy Towns volunteers as the group hosted a wide variety of events as part of National Heritage Week.
In a joint event with Cork on a Fork Fest, 25 people came to Douglas Community Park on Sunday, August 18, to hear botanist and herbalist practitioner Jo Goodyear discuss the various herbs growing in the park’s dedicated herb garden.
The sunshine only added to the success of the event, which also included tastings and a questions-and-answers session.
Ecologist Letizia Cocchiglia’s walk along the Tramore River by the Tramore Valley Park. Picture: Douglas Tidy Towns
Jo would also be on hand to conduct a foraging walk through Ballybrack Woods — known locally as The Mangala — on Sunday, August 25, where participants learned about the surprisingly wide variety of edible plants in our locality.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin joined more than 100 attendees at the Frankfield and Grange Community Centre on Tuesday, August 20, to launch Douglas Stories — a documentary on the social history of the area, produced by Douglas Tidy Towns in collaboration with Frameworks Films and Cork Community TV.
Many other TDs and local councillors were also in attendance, as well as the makers and some of the contributors to the professionally produced film. It was very well received, and is due to be shown on Cork Community Television later this year.
At the launch of the ‘Douglas Stories’ documentary were: Eddie Noonan (Frameworks Films); Tara de Montfort (Douglas Tidy Towns); Tánaiste Micheál Martin; Green Party councillor Honore Kamegni, Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork; Fine Gael TD Simon Coveney; Emma Bowell (director of the documentary); Sean Leddy (Douglas Tidy Towns); and Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. Picture: Noel Sweeney
That same evening, Karen Loxton from Wild Work (SECAD) was nearby at The Mangala hosting one of her popular ‘bat walks’, showing attendees how to use a bat detector, observe bats, and listen to their echolocation calls.
On Wednesday, August 21, Kieran Dwane of Birdwatch Ireland (Cork Branch) delivered an eye-opening talk on the common swift at Douglas Community Centre.
The atmosphere was relaxed and open, with Kieran happy to answer questions from the highly engaged audience present on the threats facing swifts and how they can recognise the birds and encourage conservation measures in their own localities.
On Friday, August 23, around 60 people attended Douglas & Its History, one of a popular series of historical walks conducted by Independent councillor and former Lord Mayor of Cork, Kieran McCarthy, taking in history of industry and the development of the historic village (see story below for future walks planned).
Independent councillor and former Lord Mayor of Cork, Kieran McCarthy hosts historical walk ‘Douglas & Its History’ on Friday, August 23. Picture: Douglas Tidy Towns
In one of the final Heritage Week events, ecologist Letizia Cocchiglia hosted an educational walk along the Tramore River in Tramore Valley Park, taking a few ‘kick’ samples to check the quality of the water.
Even with the flurry of events going on, dedicated volunteers were still out in force last Saturday doing the weekly litter pick, this time operating from a new, larger base at the back of Douglas Community Centre.
Anyone looking for commitment-free motivation for a Saturday morning walk, all while helping the local community, is welcome to join in by popping over to the new base any Saturday at around 10.30am.
McCarthy announces historical walking tours for September
Former Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Kieran McCarthy has announced his free historical walking tours for September, which have a focus on some of the city’s historical suburbs.
The Douglas-based councillor will conduct walks across the Barrack Street area, Blackpool, South Docks, Fitzgerald Park, and Blackrock.
“The September tours are about showcasing Cork’s historic suburbs and their unique character, plan, topography, and built fabric,” said Cllr McCarthy.
“Many of the city’s suburbs have experienced multiple phases of development, from centuries ago to the present day.
“All tours attract large groups of people and offer interesting lens to view the realities of living in a port city, beset by large scale poverty, whereby everyone did not make money and lived in a sense on the edge of making ends meet.”
The tours are: Sunday, September 1: The Friar’s Walk; historical walking tour with Cllr Kieran McCarthy in association with Douglas Street Autumnfest. Discover Red Abbey, Elizabeth Fort, Barrack Street, Callanan’s Tower and Greenmount area. Meet at Red Abbey tower, off Douglas Street, 12 noon (duration two hours, no booking required).
Sunday, September 8: Blackpool: Its History and Heritage. Meet at square on St Mary’s Road, opp North Cathedral, 2pm (duration two hours, no booking required).
Saturday, September 14: Cork South Docklands, Discover the history of the city’s docks, historical walking tour with Cllr Kieran McCarthy, from quayside stories to the City Park Race Course and Albert Road. Meet at Kennedy Park, Victoria Road, 2pm (two hours, no booking required).
Saturday, September 21: Fitzgerald Park: The People’s Park, historical walking tour with Cllr Kieran McCarthy, from stories on the Mardyke to the Cork International Exhibition, meet at the band stand, 2pm (duration 90 minutes, no booking required).
Sunday, September 22: Stories from Blackrock and Mahon, historical walking tour with Cllr Kieran McCarthy of Blackrock Village, from Blackrock Castle to nineteenth century houses and fishing. Meet in adjacent car park at base of Blackrock Castle, 2pm (two hours, finishes at railway line walk).
Douglas GAA Healthy Club Initiative launched
Douglas GAA Club will be running winter yoga at the club on Saturday mornings, 10-11am, with Ghislain Sacred Body Studio.
It will start on Saturday, September 14 and it’s €8 for club members and €10 for non-members.
To book contact Ghislain on 085 7350964 or info@sacredbodystudio.com Yoga offers a broad range of benefits that cater to both physical and mental well-being.
Here’s a breakdown of the key benefits and who can benefit most from practicing yoga:
Physical benefits: Improved flexibility: Regular yoga practice helps increase the range of motion in joints and muscles, which can improve flexibility over time.
Strength building: Many yoga poses require you to support your own body weight, helping to build muscle strength, particularly in the core, legs, and arms.
Better posture: By improving body awareness and alignment, yoga can help correct poor posture, which can reduce back and neck pain.
Enhanced balance: Yoga poses, especially standing and balancing postures, improve overall balance and coordination.
Increased lung capacity: Breathing exercises in yoga (pranayama) help increase lung capacity, promoting better oxygenation and breathing efficiency.
Stress relief: Yoga lowers cortisol levels, helping to reduce stress and its physical impacts, like high blood pressure.
Joint health: Yoga’s low-impact movements lubricate the joints, which can help manage and prevent conditions like arthritis.
Improved circulation: Yoga helps improve blood flow, which can lead to better cardiovascular health.
Enhanced digestion: Certain poses, like twists, can aid in digestion by massaging internal organs.
Pain management: Yoga can alleviate chronic pain conditions, such as lower back pain, by strengthening muscles and improving flexibility.
Stress reduction: Yoga promotes relaxation and reduces stress through a combination of physical movement, breathing exercises, and meditation.
Improved focus and concentration: Meditation and mindfulness practices in yoga enhance mental clarity and focus.
Who benefits most?
Older adults: Yoga is particularly beneficial for older adults as it enhances flexibility, balance, and strength, which can help prevent falls and maintain independence.
People with chronic conditions: Those with conditions like arthritis, hypertension, or chronic pain often find relief through gentle yoga practices.
Athletes: Athletes use yoga to enhance flexibility, balance, and mental focus, which can improve overall performance and reduce injury risk.
People with high-stress jobs: Yoga is an effective tool for stress management, making it particularly beneficial for people in high-pressure or high-stress professions.
Pregnant women: Prenatal yoga helps in maintaining strength, flexibility, and mental calmness during pregnancy, while also preparing the body for childbirth.
Individuals seeking mental health support: Yoga offers benefits for those dealing with anxiety, depression, or PTSD by promoting relaxation and emotional balance.
Students and professionals: The focus on mindfulness and concentration in yoga can help students and professionals manage stress and improve productivity.
Overall, yoga is a versatile practice that benefits people of all ages and fitness levels.
Whether you’re looking to improve physical health, manage stress, or enhance mental clarity, yoga offers a holistic approach that can support your overall well-being. For GAA athletes, whether in hurling or football, yoga offers a holistic approach that complements traditional training methods.
Early booking is advised.
Have Douglas news to share? Contact rory.noonan@theecho.ie
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