All About Cork: Retirement club host tournament in memory of Maura

Ballinlough Men’s Retirement Club, a sub-committee of Ballinlough Community Association, organised a competition recently in memory of Maura Maher, ex-chairperson of Ballinlough Community Association, who gave generously of her time and energy for the benefit of Ballinlough Community.

Among the community activities mentioned by Noel O’Shea, club member, of which Maura was one of the main organisers were: the ‘300 club’ draw, the Friday night bingo and the senior citizens’ Christmas dinner/party.

Noel also referred referred to other past members of Ballinlough Community Association who for many years gave unstintingly of their time and talents for the benefit of the community: Paddy and Anne Kearney, Liam Towler, Michael and Ena Collins, Anna Cronin, Anne Casey, Michael J. Collins, William Bennett, Jerry O’Connor, Noel McCarthy, John Hogan, Dan Buckley, Michael O’Donnell, Cyril Dunlea and Jerry Coakley.

The results of the Bowls Competition: Winners: Tom Hanley, Jack Lynch and Pat Watters. Runners-up: Ber. Leahy, Tom Conere and George Greene.

Ballinlough Men’s Retirement Club meets every Wednesday afternoon, from 2pm to 4pm at Ballinlough Community Centre.

The members enjoy an afternoon of short mat bowls (bowls supplied by the club) in an atmosphere of fun and camaraderie.

New members are welcome. Their membership comes from the general Cork city area. Contact number is 085 1615360 for further information.

All are welcome to come along and enjoy an afternoon of fun and laughter.

Non-opening of access path frustrating, says McCarthy

Independent councillor and former Lord Mayor Kieran McCarthy has reiterated his deep frustration at the non-opening of the access pedestrian and walking path behind Douglas-Rochestown Educate Together National School, which connects the school to Ballybrack Walkway — known locally as ‘The Mangala’.

The route is a three-way project between Cork City Council, Cairn Homes, and the Department of Education. The council has confirmed that all stakeholders involved in the project are working to deliver the Ballybrack Pedestrian and Cycle Scheme, which aims to provide improved active travel facilities along the greenway route and have been liaising with all concerned parties to this end.

However, Mr McCarthy noted: “I have had numerous calls and correspondence from parents and guardians asking about the opening of the path. Currently the pathway along the Old Carrigaline Road is the main pathway.

“This pathway is just too narrow and too dangerous for the amount of children and parents and guardians and teachers who walk to and from the school every day. Like my colleagues, I have been lobbying to get the pedestrian and cycleway path to open.

“From my perspective, it has been too long a process and a deeply frustrating one. And I know that has been the perspective of many parents who voiced their concerns on local radio and within local newspapers.

“Deadlines have once again passed this week.

“I spoke with the City Council’s director of infrastructure to once again express my deep frustration and that of parents and guardians.

“The current update is that the pathway will open when public pathway lights will be installed by the local developer Cairn Homes. This is for fear of claims during the current dark mornings.

“The developer is seeking out temporary public lighting systems to enable the opening of the pathway.

“There is no time frame on this acquisition. I implore that this process be sped up. I will keep my pressure on the City Council’s Infrastructure Directorate.”

‘Douglas Stories’ exhibition

Douglas Stories, a documentary about the social history of the village, is now being shown at Douglas Library.

Following its fully booked premiere last year, the oral history film with subtitles is being run on a loop in the library, together with an exhibition of photographs of people and times gone by. Produced by Douglas Tidy Towns in collaboration with Frameworks Films and Cork Community TV, it was funded by the Heritage Office of Cork City Council and by Coimisiún na Meán, through the television licence fee.

Douglas Tidy Towns has expressed its appreciation to Douglas Library for hosting it, Cork Community Media Hub for working with the group to make the film, and Douglas Village Shopping Centre for supporting the exhibition.

GAA club now accepting membership fees for season

Douglas GAA Club are now accepting membership fees for 2025.

In a statement to members, and potential members, they said: “We would encourage members to register as soon as possible. For GAA members who are back in pre-season it should be noted that you are not currently covered by the Player Injury Fund unless you are registered for 2025.

“Generally no changes in rates this year as announced at the AGM.”

The best way to register is to download the Clubforce Connect app and follow Douglas GAA.

Android: https://eclv.ie/Club1.

IOS: https://eclv.ie/Club2.

Further details are available on their website.

“The downloads section of our website has a wealth of coaching resources categorised general, hurling/camogie and football. See more here.

“Our underage hurling development officer (DJ) has uploaded a number of excellent ball wall videos and on the football side all you need to know about the new rules is also there.”

Have Douglas news to share? Contact rory.noonan@theecho.ie