All About Cork: Meetings held to discuss reliability of bus services

The frequency and reliability of local bus services will be on the agenda at two public meetings this week at Glen Rovers tonight and Farranree Community Centre on Wednesday.

Both meetings will begin at 7.30pm.

TD Thomas Gould told The Echo: “We know that the buses are a huge issue across Blackpool, the Glen, Mayfield, Farranree, Knocknaheeny, and Ballyvolane. We hope that people will be able to attend the meeting closest to them as figures we’ve received show that the 202 and 208 are both supposed to be high frequency buses but are, on average, five minutes late to their stop.

“At least one in every three buses for the 201, 203 and 207 routes are not at their stop on time. All of these routes are skipping stops or portions of their route regularly,” Mr Gould said.

“I have been in contact with Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority but I feel that they don’t understand the impact this is having on people. I have invited them to these meetings because I think we need to hear from people.

“I am encouraging anyone who has been left waiting at a bus stop, who has been late to work or college, or who has been worried about a loved one stranded in town with no bus to bring them home, to come along to the meeting,” he said. “We need them to see just how frustrated we all are with the bus service.”

A Bus Éireann spokesperson told The Echo last week that it apologises to affected customers for any inconvenience caused by delays.

“Congestion means delays to services and can have a knock-on effect on the service as it operates throughout its journey. Currently, just 2% of the kilometres travelled by our vehicles in Cork are in bus lanes,” they said.

They also cited illegal parking and driver shortages.

Culture Night exhibition

Dance Cork Firkin Crane will be celebrating Culture Night on Friday, September 20.

The venue said: “Join us as we open the doors to our current Crane Visual exhibition, ‘Possible Life’ by Chris Doris, a little later than usual to celebrate Culture Night 2024. Take the opportunity to visit the exhibition and view the art works. The exhibition curator, Dermot Browne, will be on hand during the evening. The exhibition will be open from 4.30 pm with last entry at 7pm.”

A movie afternoon will be held at Roches Buildings Resource Centre at 1pm on October 30. Entry is free.

Male panto dancer needed

The Everyman and CADA Performing Arts are looking for a versatile male dancer for this year’s panto ensemble, skilled in jazz and musical theatre. They must be over 18 to apply.

Send your show reel to info@cadaperformingarts.ie.

Street parade volunteer call

The Dragon of Shandon is not far away and preparations are in full swing with volunteers needed.

Cork Community Art Link who curate the event said: “If you’re looking for opportunities to volunteer and get involved in making, we will be holding our open workshop hours starting 10th September. Every Tues, Wed and Thurs for the next eight weeks our workshop will be open to pop in from 2-5pm. Anyone over the age of 18, interested in learning how to make props, floats and costumes for the parade is welcome. No experience necessary.”

For more information, email at dragonofshandoninfo@gmail.com or call on 021 4553747.

Super Stars Studio host open day for performers

Parish lotto jackpot for grabs

The parish lotto jackpot remains at the sum of €20,000, with a €400 consolation prize.

You can watch the winners draw today on the Blackpool Facebook page at: facebook.com/bbgparish, or on the cathedral Facebook page at facebook.com/corkcathedral.

Tickets are available on the parish’s website and Facebook pages for the next four draws.

Tickets are available after all mass services.

All proceeds from the lotto go back into running the parish.

Historian of the Year award

A local man has been awarded Historian of the Year by the Lord Mayor.

Blackpool native Tom Foley was born in 1943 and grew up near the Grotto, on Dublin St.

In 1994, Tom — together with Jim Fitzpatrick and several others — established the Blackpool Historical Society, which operated out of the Blackpool Community Centre.

Over the years, they organised a great deal of exhibitions and lectures and built up an expansive photographic collection of Blackpool.

They have published two books and have produced a DVD, Blackpool to the Fore.

Have Blackpool, Shandon and Ballyvolane news to share? Contact Robert.McNamara@theecho.ie