Former lord mayor and Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy has called for a clearer strategy for the Ballybrack Stream Valley, better known as the Mangala in Douglas.
Mr McCarthy noted: “The recent commencement of housing works at the old historic estate at Ballybrack on Donnybrook Hill led to several messages to me from locals on the Ballybrack sanctioned housing plan.
“In November 2023 An Bord Pleanála granted permission for 24 houses to the owner/ developer. The site was sold on recently with the planning permission. For the Ballybrack housing development I raised concerns at city council level and at An Bord Pleanála level, mainly because I felt the proposed houses would impose on the Donnybrook tree and environment boundary of the woods.
“Counter to my green argument, as part of the Ballybrack housing development a landscape master plan was prepared and was responded to and approved within Cork City Council. It is available to have a look at.
“However, within the Council Chamber I have raised and still want a bigger discussion on the Donnybrook ridge line of trees.
“I just feel that The Mangala as an oasis of green and quietness should be more protected in what is a very busy traffic ridden district and gives so much to all who engage with it. In a very busy Douglas area, The Mangala matters more than ever before. More and more segments of the greenery and the Ballybrack stream valley are under housing development pressure. One just has to stand in Castletreasure Cairn Homes site to see the sanctioned through planning system impact.
“All I see is a constant chipping away of The Mangala with no overall conservation strategy for what is a gorgeous streamed valley.
“There are zoned lands for housing, which is fair enough, but there must be more ambition about creating larger urban forestry spaces and parkland spaces in the Donnybrook ridges as well,” concluded Mr McCarthy.
Comhaltas na Dúglaise delight at Ceol An Geimhridh success
Comhgháirdeachas to the Comhaltas na Dúglaise dancers Keelin O’Rourke, Lucy Thornhill, Muireann O’Mahony and Jessica Callan who won the Four Hand Céilí Dancing 11 to 14 years at Ceol An Geimhridh in Macroom last Sunday with ‘The Humours of Bandon’.
Keelin O’Rourke, Muireann O’Mahony, Jessica Callanan, and Lucy Thornhill: members of the Niamh Hatchell School of Dance representing Douglas Comhaltas who became county champions in the 11-14 age group four-hand céilí at last weekend’s Ceol an Gheimhridh competition held at Macroom. Their dance teacher, Niamh Hatchell, is on right.
Congratulations as well to Aoibhinn O’Driscoll who came second in the Wind faoí 11. Classes were back to normal last Wednesday from 4.30pm until 9.30pm at Gaelscoil na Dúglaise.
Members of Comhaltas played and sang at 9.30am Mass at St Columba’s Church in Douglas on Sunday morning, January 26.
That afternoon the branch played for the staff and residents of St Luke’s Home.
Enquiries douglas@comhaltas.net for all of their activities.
Last chance to register for adult education classes
Some adult education classes across Cork are due to get underway this week.
However there is still time to register at Douglas Community School as they are not starting until February 3.
However time is running out so anyone interested in doing a course is advised to do so in the next day or two.
You can register online at www.dcscork.ie and follow the link.
A wide variety of classes, from arts and crafts to yoga, to language classes and dressmaking, are on offer at Douglas Community School.
There are also taking postal enrolments and they can be sent to the Adult Education Office, Douglas Community School, Clermont Avenue, Douglas.
For further enquires you can contact them at: adulted@dcscork.ie, tel. (021) 4294208.
The school runs two types of general courses, multi-term and single term courses.
Single term courses normally run for 10 weeks and are self-contained.
They are repeated in the following term, but do not progress to higher levels.
The multi-term courses generally continue for three terms to give participants an opportunity to develop their talents.
These courses progress to a higher standard as the year goes on. Participants can join a class for all or one of the terms. All courses commence during the week commencing on Monday, February 3, unless otherwise stated.
The school also offers reduced fees for OAP’s on application during enrolment and they also keep a number of places on courses for long-term unemployed, which are free of charge.
These are available by calling to the office in advance of the enrolment night and confidentiality is assured.
David Udeh and Oscar Doherty, both Douglas Community School, at the 2025 Model United Nations, hosted by Davis College Mallow, at Cork City Hall. Picture: Jim Coughlan
Douglas Writers Group
Just a reminder that the Douglas Writers Group will meet on Friday, February7, at 5.30pm at the Lennox Robinson Room at Douglas Library. Why not bring a few friends along to join the group?
The group meets on the first Friday of every month.
New members are always welcome and if interested in getting involved then contact Ronnie at 087 1672715.
New football rules
The Douglas GAA Club coaching committee has arranged a targeted workshop on the newly implemented Football Review Committee rules for men’s gaelic football.
This workshop “Mastering the New Gaelic Football Rules for Clubs” will be delivered in person by highly regarded coach Evan Talty at the club’s function hall on Friday next, January 31, at 7.30pm.
Coaches and players who wish to attend the workshop can register for free through the following online form here.
Have Douglas news to share? Contact rory.noonan@theecho.ie
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