All About Cork: Leaf and Bower bookshop ‘a light in dark’ for writers

A local author has described Ballincollig’s independent bookshop, Leaf and Bower, as “a real light in the dark” for new, unsigned writers.

Carrick-on-Suir native Trev Burke, 41, has lived in Ballincollig for six years and is married to Clare, from the Model Farm Road. He works as a cleaner in Ballincollig’s Scoil Mhuire.

When his first niece was born, he had no money to buy her a christening gift, so, instead, he put together a little storybook, which he coloured in crayon and stapled together.

Family and friends encouraged him to produce more books, and now, eight years on, he has so far produced 12 Happy Attic books, featuring characters Purple and Reggie, drawn in deceptively simple shapes and bright colours.

Purple is a cat, and Reggie is a shape-shifting ball of imagination, who can become anything he wishes, and the books are very popular with young readers, some of whom have dyslexia or autism.

A cancer survivor twice over, Trev wrote one of the books while receiving chemotherapy in the Mercy University Hospital.

His books are very popular, and are available in libraries across the country, and regularly feature on “most borrowed lists”.

For all of that, Mr Burke said he believed that some of the larger bookstores tend not to entertain unpublished authors, while publishers are slow to talk to authors who are unrepresented.

“Cork has a thriving art scene, but it’s so hard to stand out in an oversaturated market,” Mr Burke said.

“It’s a very disheartening road of rejection and heartbreak.”

For Mr Burke, Fiona Farrell, in Leaf and Bower, on Ballincollig’s Main St, has proven to be a blessing to him.

“I would like of thank Fiona for taking a chance on my books,” he said.

“She has been a real light in the dark for Happy Attic stories.

“I wish her all the best with her amazing shop.”

Charleston dance course

The Lakewood Sports and Social Club is hosting a six-week course in the Charleston. The course organisers offer participants the opportunity to learn some classic moves, such as Skip Up and Kick Through. They promise that those attending can expect some great up-tempo swing jazz tunes to help get your feet on the dancefloor.

No partner or experience is necessary, as the course is beginner-friendly, and the organisers provide regular recap videos so you don't need to worry about remembering everything on the night. Free car parking is available.

The course runs from 7.30pm to 8.30pm on Tuesdays for six weeks,​ from November 5 to December 10. The course costs €75 per participant. For further information, contact Tom and Rachel at swingdancecork@gmail.com.

Holy Souls to be remembered

It’s almost November, the time of year that Catholics remember the Holy Souls.

The Catholic Church teaches that the purification of the souls in purgatory can be helped by the faithful on Earth.

The roots of that teaching can be traced back to the practice of prayer for the dead mentioned in the Old Testament in 2 Maccabees 12:42–46.

The annual St Oliver’s Cemetery graveyard Mass will take place at 2pm this Saturday, November 2, and will be followed by the blessing of graves.

In the event that the weather is inclement, the Mass will be transferred to St Mary’s and St John’s church, but please check at St Oliver’s Cemetery beforehand.

The following weekend, the annual St Mary’s and St John’s graveyard Mass will take place in the church adjacent to the cemetery at midday on Saturday, November 9, and will be followed by the blessing of graves.

Four folk musicians to collaborate for concert

Sunday, November 10, will see The White Horse in Ballincollig host a rare collaboration by four of Ireland’s finest traditional folk musicians.

Gerry ‘Banjo’ O’Connor, who plays tenor banjo, fiddle and mandolin, has performed with the Dublin Legends, 4 Men and a Dog, The Dubliners, and Joe Bonnamassa.

Dermot Byrne, who plays button accordion, is a former member of Altan and has played with Dolly Parton, John Prine, Vince Gill, Tim O’Brien, and Stephane Grapelli.

Tim Edey plays guitar, button accordion, and sings vocals, and he has played and recorded with The Chieftains, Sharon Shannon, Christy Moore, Mary Black, and Altan.

Gino Lupari is also on vocals, and plays bodhran and bones. Gino plays with 4 Men and a Dog, and the Rambling Boys of Pleasure. For more information, see whitehorse.ie.

Halloween party

Ballincollig RFC is holding a Halloween party on Thursday, October 31, from 6.30pm until 9.30pm. Wear a costume and bring along your own spooky treat. There will be prizes for the best costume for both adults and children, so drop around to Tanner Park.

Toy library open on Friday

Ballincollig’s Toy Library is open again this Friday in the Carraig Centre, and it offers a range of toys for loan, from puzzles, board games, and educational toys to action figures, farm animals, dinosaurs, puppets, ride-on toys and baby toys. Toys are loaned for one month, but loans can be extended for up to three months.

The library charges a €2 joining fee per family, with that fee going towards storage and cleaning costs. The Toy Library is open at midday this Friday, November 1, and on the first Friday of every month, in the Carraig Centre.

See www.carraigcentre.ie or email; katie20gould@gmail.com.

Crochet on Wednesdays

The Ballincollig Crochet Club meets every Wednesday at 7pm in the Tesco Community Room. Sessions usually run until 8.30pm.

The message on the club’s Facebook page is: “Everyone is welcome. No fee to pay.

Meet likeminded people who are passionate about yarn, patterns, knitting and of course crochet. So grab your yarn and needles and join us. FYI: It’s not a teaching class.”

GAA club lottery

The numbers drawn in the weekly Ballincollig GAA Club lottery on Thursday, October 24, were 7, 13, 20, and 32.

With the club’s lottery jackpot at €20,000, the draw is now at the highest amount it can reach and must be won. There was no winner last week, and consolation prizes went to Mary McCormack (€100), Nicholas Desmond (€50), and Linda Lenihan (€50). The next draw will take place this week, on Thursday evening, October 31. For details on how to enter the club’s weekly draw, see Ballincollig GAA Club’s various social media pages.

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