All About Cork: Blackpool Tidy Village Group win Muintir na Tíre award

Blackpool Tidy Village Group has now been officially recognised for their contribution to the local area with an award to add to their long list of achievements in a short life span.

The group won a ‘Youth Engagement Award’ at the recent Muintir Na Tíre competition at the Kingsley Hotel.

Secretary Mark O’Brien told The Echo: “We had entered our painting and stenciling projects on the Orchard Court Bridges. The competition involved Muintir Na Tíre coming out on-site to inspect the project work in August and judging the project on a marking scheme of ‘litter control’, ‘amenity project’ and ‘overall impression’.”

The group is well known for their projects, including a ‘friendship bench’ installed on Dublin Hill, birdfeeders and signage, among other things that have have brightened up the local area.

The Blackpool Tidy Village Group and its volunteers have been out and about every Saturday morning litter picking, rubbish collecting, and planting flowers and shrubs in the recent months.

Mr O’Brien recently told The Echo: “Our volunteers are out every Saturday at 10.30am from Blackpool Community Centre doing trojan work; litter picking, flower planting, etc.

“Our motto is ‘cleaner, greener, safer, better.”

If you want to make a difference and help tidy up your area, Blackpool Tidy Village Group are always looking for more volunteers. You can join the weekly clean-up on Saturday at 10.30am from Blackpool Community Centre.

The group works with local businesses and representatives and Cork City Council.

Muintir na Tíre is a national voluntary organisation dedicated to promoting the process of community development. Canon John Hayes founded the organisation in 1937.

Richard T Cooke dies

The Echo Blackpool page has lost a respected colleague and friend, following the passing of historian and musician Richard T Cooke. His knowledge of Cork — in particular Blackpool, Shandon, and the surrounding area — was invaluable to this page. He made many contributions over the years, most notably with regard to his involvement in the organisation of the Coal Quay Festival, the Spirit of Mother Jones Festival, and the Celebrating Cork’s Past exhibition.

His love and knowledge, but above all, enthusiasm for Cork city, past and present, was infectious and irreplaceable. His regular correspondence will be deeply missed. He exemplified everything a gentleman should aspire to be. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Dragon of Shandon to return

Cork’s much-loved Dragon of Shandon parade will return this Thursday and everyone is invited to partake in the spooky fun.

Cork City Council said: “The Dragon of Shandon is a night-time parade that celebrates the old Irish tradition of Samhain in a contemporary and inclusive manner. Every year, thousands of people take to the streets of Shandon and walk with the dragon as it travels between worlds in a celebration of the living and the dead, accompanied by an assortment of creatures from the underworld.

“The Dragon of Shandon parade is a free event so paint yourself up, bring your friends and family, and celebrate with us at 7pm on Thursday. The parade kicks off at Church St, runs down Shandon St and onto North Main St, turning left onto Castle St, and finishes up on the Coal Quay with a grand finale.”

• See www.dragonofshandon.com for more details.

Blackpool Christmas Market

Blackpool Christmas Market takes place this December 6 at the plaza outside the church. Carol singing, sweet and savoury treats, knitting, crochet, and Christmas ornaments will all be on offer from 10am to 1pm.

There are dance classes available for over 60s at Blackpool Community Centre from 2pm-3pm. Move with music with dance Tutor Maeve Kelleher takes place on November 26 and 29. Those interested must book in advance.

Sing along with the HAZ Band for over 60s takes place in Blackpool Community Centre on November 5 and 19 at 3pm.

All of the above health activities are free of charge. To register or if you have any questions contact Liz Madden, community health worker, on 087-6977942.

Shandon heritage strategy

Cork City Council and their project partners AtkinsRéalis, John McLaughlin Architects, and the Shandon Community are developing a heritage led integrated urban strategy for the Shandon Area which is funded under the Government’s town centre first heritage revival scheme (Thrive).

Following on from a successful initial consultation event in August which saw more than 140 attendees and over 190 survey responses received, further targeted stakeholder engagements carried out the feedback has been taken on board and a draft integrated urban strategy for the Shandon area has been prepared. This was presented at two further consultation events at Dance Cork Firkin Crane.

Sharon McDonnell, senior executive planner at Cork City Council, said: “We are delighted at the extent of interest and quality of feedback received over a range of engagement activities during the first phase of the project, all of which has been used to inform the draft integrated urban strategy for Shandon. The draft strategy sets out several actions and projects, including a number of priority projects, which we are keen to hear feedback on to ensure they are sufficiently responsive to local need. We look forward to meeting everyone and hearing your views at the drop in events next Wednesday and Thursday evening.”

Full details are available at https://www.corkcity.ie/en/council-services/services/planning/shandon-integrated-urban-strategy/

Relics arrive at parish

The Relics of St Bernadette of Lourdes are scheduled to visit the local parish on Thursday and Friday.

St Bernadette is said to have witnessed 18 apparitions of Our Lady at Lourdes back in 1858 and countless millions of people have since visited Lourdes with countless cases of miracles reported over the years.

The parish said: “This visit of St Bernadette’s relics will afford to the many people who can’t go to Lourdes an opportunity to get close to St Bernadette and to Our Lady of Lourdes.” People will be able to venerate the relics at the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne in Cork city, and at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Clonakilty.

A full programme list is available here: https://tinyurl.com/ye28p6b5

Have Blackpool, Shandon and Ballyvolane news to share? Contact robert.mcnamara@theecho.ie