All About Cork: New schools welcome amid ‘huge demand’ for places

A local councillor has welcomed news of progress on plans to build two new school premises for Gaelscoil an Chaisleáin and Le Chéile Secondary School, but has cautioned that both schools are already at capacity in their current, temporary homes.

At the end of May, following engagement with the Department of Education, Cork City Council acquired lands at Lisheens, Ovens, under compulsory purchase order for proposed school development by the department.

Garret Kelleher, Fine Gael councillor for the south-west ward, last week said it was encouraging to hear from Cork City Council confirmation that the department had appointed project managers for the construction relating to a new education campus on the western side of Ballincollig.

“I also welcome the expected timeline given for the appointment of a design team by January 2025,” he said.

“However, with the first intake of pupils to Gaelscoil an Chaisleáin having now reached sixth class and the first pupils of Le Chéile Secondary School now in Transition Year, the schools have both reached capacity at the sites of their temporary accommodation on the grounds of Ballincollig RFC and Ballincollig Community School respectively and are facing enormous challenges around restrictions to intake and enrolment, which are hindering their growth.” 

He noted that with the growing population of Ballincollig, Ovens and the surrounding areas, there was huge demand for school places at both primary and secondary level.

“It’s vital that there is regular communication from the Department of Education with both schools from this point onwards to ensure that existing challenges can be overcome and the demand for places met.,” Mr Kelleher said.

Both schools have indicated an interest in exploring the possibility of their temporary accommodation being moved from their current locations to the site of the new schools for the duration of the construction phase.

Following a question from Mr Kelleher at last week’s council meeting, Cork City Council committed to getting clarification from the Department of Education on whether this might be possible.

Parkrun needs helpers

Ballincollig Parkrun, a weekly, timed, five-kilometre run organised by local volunteers, is seeking volunteers.

The parkrun organisers say volunteering offers a great opportunity to get outside, make new friends, have fun, learn new skills and to be a valuable part of the local community.

Volunteers set up the course, scan barcodes at the finish, and ensure route safety. Organisers say that if anyone wants to do a particular volunteer role, please let them know and they will try to accommodate.

If you would like to get involved in Ballincollig Parkrun, you are asked to email ballincollig@parkrun.com with your name and number and to mention the role in which you would like to participate.

Scottish trad at White Horse

The White Horse in the West Village is to host an evening of Scottish trad on Saturday, September 28.

Catriona McKay is from Dundee, on the east coast of Scotland, and Chris Stout is from Fair Isle, one of the Shetland Islands, and they weave musical magic rooted in Scottish trad. They have performed together for more than 25 years and through a respect for tradition and a spirit of experimentation, they evolve and create a style “operating at a rarefied level of expertise” (The Herald, Scotland).

They recorded their first duo CD, Laebrack, in 2005, and in 2010 they presented their self-penned album, White Nights. It’s a sound-world that they own, one they have created with a driving energy and a clear direction.

Their gigs have been called “an intense sensation of witnessing the creation of something immediate and essential that is so captivating for them and for their listeners”.

For booking, see whitehorse.ie.

A note of thanks from Ballincollig AFC

Ballincollig AFC has posted a short note of gratitude on its social-media pages, to say ‘thank you’ to someone for an act of kindness last Thursday evening.

“Ballincollig AFC would like to express sincere gratitude to the gentleman who approached two of our teams training in the Regional Park this evening, to return a sum of money he found on his way around by them,” the club wrote. “This sum of money happened to be a young player’s registration fee which he had lost. Such a great act of kindness is very much appreciated and wonderful to see still exist in our village today.”

The numbers drawn in the weekly Ballincollig GAA Club lottery on Thursday, September 12, were: 3, 11, 12, and 27. With the club’s lottery jackpot at €20,000, the draw is now the highest it can reach and must be won. There was no winner drawn, and consolation prizes went to Brenda Hallihan (€100), Orla Horgan (€50), and Len Harvey (€50).

The next draw will take place this week, on Thursday evening, September 19, with all proceeds going to Ballincollig GAA Club. For details on how to enter the draw, see Ballincollig GAA Club’s various social-media pages.

A number of employers in Ballincollig have advertised vacancies. Gratitude to Mags McKenna, who runs the Ballincollig Facebook Hub, for collating these career opportunities.

The Echo cannot guarantee that any of these positions will still be open by the time this page is published, and while we mention them as a community newspaper, we bear no responsibility for the information advertised.

Desmond Menswear, on the Main Street in Ballincollig, has been offering a part-time position for the Christmas period and the shop says experience would be an advantage. Anyone who might be interested is asked to drop a CV into the shop, email desmondmenswear@hotmail.com or call (021) 4874559.

The Maxol Garage in the West Village is hiring new members of staff to join its team. A position for a full-time till assistant is available, with 40 hours per week. If interested, please contact the garage with your CV or just simply give it to a member of staff in store.

Contact: ballincollig.herlihysmaxol@gmail.com or call (021) 4876145.

O’Shea Trading is advertising a full time position for a construction worker, who would fulfil a variety of tasks and projects, including home renovations, extensions, and ground works. The company says the salary is negotiable, and it is seeking someone who has three to five years of experience and a full driver’s license. Phone 087 2311681 for more details.

Mac Eoin’s Jewellers at 7 Main Street, Ballincollig is advertising a part-time position for “at least two days a week, to include Saturdays where necessary, and [to] cover extra days for holidays”. Experience is not necessary as full training will be given over time. Contact Maceoinjewellers@gmail.com or call 021 4870111.

Have Ballincollig news to share? Contact donal.okeeffe@theecho.ie