All About Cork: Italian group gets hands-on experience with Tidy Towns

A number of local groups recently played host to a group from Italy as part of an international learning abroad initiative.

The Learning Abroad Co was founded by Julia Lynes and Enrico Zoppi, with the aim of making global learning accessible to all.

Their journey began with EazyCity, initially an accommodation provider in Ireland, and has since expanded to offer a diverse range of programs in Ireland, Spain, Britain, and Italy.

In 2024, they decided to channel their 20 years of learning and experiences into a new company with a clearer focus on education and learning abroad.

Thus, The Learning Abroad Co was founded, with an office in Cork city.

In recent days, a group of students from Italy arrived in Cork and were welcomed by Ballyphehane Tidy Towns and the Togher Community Garden.

Volunteers from both organisations showed the visitors what they do in the local community, and they even got involved in picking litter and tending to the local community garden and wildlife.

A spokesperson for Ballyphehane Tidy Towns said: “We were delighted to welcome a fantastic group from Italy with The Learning Abroad Co.

“[The students] learned all about the work we do, from the importance of community development to sustainability and our environmental goals.

“The group got straight to work, maintaining our willow border, some litter picking and collecting leaves for our leaf mulching project,” the spokesperson added.

Speaking on Monday, a spokesperson for the Togher Community Garden added: “Today, The Learning Abroad Co came to visit with another school from Italy.

“They are here for a week-long sustainability programme.

“This is just the beginning of their journey toward understanding and promoting eco-friendly living,” the spokesperson said.

Joy for St Finbarr’s camogie

St Finbarr’s are back on top of Cork camogie after a first county title in 18 years.

An impressive second half at Castle Rd saw them dethrone Sarsfields in the SE Systems Senior Camogie final, 1-16 to 0-12.

Manager Brian O’Sullivan said: “We have worked and worked so hard over a long number of years to win this title and we have experienced a lot of disappointments. I want to pay huge tribute to the players and all our management, who since February have been working towards this.”

An initiative aimed at providing information and support on women’s health hosted another successful event in recent days.

Change Cafe’s success

The Change Cafe is a collaboration between the Cork South Community Work Department HSE, Ballyphehane Togher Community Development Project CLG, the Ballyphehane/ Togher Adult Education Provision CETB, and Cork City Partnership CLG.

The cafe runs on the second Tuesday of every month from 7pm to 9pm at the Ballyphehane Community Centre, featuring talks and workshops on women’s health and menopause.

Last week, the Change Cafe hosted another informative and engaging night.

A spokesperson for the initiative said: “We had a wonderful and energetic talk by Jo Chapple, who is a chartered physiotherapist and the owner of Pilates Physiotherapy Cork.

“Jo spoke to us about how we can manage our own overall pelvic health, and gave us some fantastic information especially on the importance of exercise in our daily lives.

“This cafe was set up to give women free information and the power to navigate their own journey through menopause and their general overall health and wellbeing, and also to allow them to get peer to peer support from each other over a cuppa,” the spokesperson added.

“We are delighted so far with the progress of this wonderful initiative, and we look forward to our next session on Tuesday, November 12.

Lord mayor visits school

The lord mayor of Cork, Green Party councillor Dan Boyle paid a visit to Presentation Secondary School, Ballyphehane, last week.

In a statement, the school said: “Thank you to the lord mayor for visiting our school on Friday!

“It was a privilege to showcase the amazing work of our students and staff. Your support and inspiring words mean a lot to our school community, and we are excited for future collaborations.”

Students support Focus Ireland

Students from Coláiste Éamann Rís took part in a sleepover at the local secondary school last week to raise funds for Focus Ireland.

The students were taking part in the annual Shine A Light fundraiser.

In a statement, the school said: “Our students had a great night sleeping in (and outside) the school for Focus Ireland Shine A Light fundraiser”.

The secondary school is also preparing for the return of the “world’s most haunted school”.

FearPark is returning to Coláiste Éamann Rís on Wednesday, October 30, just in time for Halloween.

Have Ballyphehane news to share? Contact darraghberminghamecho@gmail.com.