All About Cork: North East LAC meeting to be held today

The first meeting this year of Cork City Council’s Local Area Committee for the North East Ward is to take place today.

Motions to be discussed include a motion by Green Party councillor Oliver Moran that Cork City Council will designate the Glen River Park as a ‘dark space’, free of artificial light.

Mr Moran told The Echo: “The Glen River Park is one of the few ‘dark spaces’ on the northside that’s accessible to the public. Because it’s a valley and free of artificial light, it’s a place where you can still see the night sky.

“That’s a unique asset in a city. It’s important too for wildlife and nature.”

He explained: “There will be plans coming to improve walking routes in the area, including through the Glen River Park.

“Those plans still have to be published but one of the most controversial aspects already is whether public lighting will be added.

“There are examples of dimmer and nature sensitive lighting but there’s a case too to keep what we have in the park as a wilder place, free of artificial light altogether.”

Other motions to be discussed at the meeting include one from Fine Gael’s Joe Kavanagh that Cork City Council immediately re-instate the original road lining markings on the flyover at Silversprings, Tivoli.

Motions from the Labour Party’s John Maher will also be discussed, including a call for a cost analysis of a total refurbishment of the Mayfield Sports Complex and that funding be secured to ensure work is carried out in a timely manner.

Mr Maher also proposes that Cork City Council CPO the old Keating’s Fitted Furniture building on Ballyhooly Road and develop as a shared space for business, community and residential use; and that Cork City Council address the ongoing issue of flooding on the Banduff Road and that an upgrade for the junction in White’s Cross is looked at.

Quiz kids

Mayfield Squid Games

A fundraising event for Mayfield GAA is set to take place on March 29 at the Clayton Hotel, Silversprings.

There is a prize of €10,000 available to one lucky winner on the night, as the contest inspired by hit Netflix show Squid Games sees 60 contestants battle it out over a course of six games.

The games include Red Light Green Light, Balloon Burst, Sort Your Balls and Whacky Races. Eliminations take place until the final two are left standing and enter The Cash Cube, and the player with the largest amount collected walks away with the winning prize of €10,000. Players must raise €1,500 through sponsorship, donations and ticket sales to participate, with the money going towards the development of the club. For information and to secure a spot contact Bryan on 085 2841276.

Charity dress sale in St Luke’s

A dress sale is to be held in aid of the children of Gaza at St Luke’s Tavern in two weeks’ time.

The Grab a Gúna event will be held on Monday, February 10, at 6pm, and anyone who wishes to donate a dress, jacket or coat can do so in advance of the event.

The team at St Luke’s Tavern said: “Starting the year with a wardrobe refresh is always a great idea — but doing it while making a difference, even better, right? We are helping Maura and Mary raise much-needed funds. Last year was amazing, and this year is going to be even better!”

This is the organisers’ seventh Grab a Gúna event. All pieces are on sale for just €10, and proceeds go to UNICEF’s support the children of Gaza.

You can donate your pre-loved items at one of their drop-off points: Finline Furniture, St Patrick’s Woollen Mills, Douglas, or The Quay Co-Op Restaurant, Sullivan’s Quay.

You can contact Mary at 087-0990588 or Maura at 086-8220116 for more information.

Exhibition at Mayfield Library

The latest production from the “Growing Imaginations” initiative is now displaying in the show case at Mayfield Library.

“Growing Imaginations” is a literary and artistic collaboration with the clients of Cope Foundation in which a unique story book accompanied by 3-D props is created.

The latest offering is “Cave Rave” by Ballyvolane COPE Community Hub. Over six weeks, the young adults involved worked with writer Kevin Doyle on plot development and text production, and with Carmel Creaner and Anne Kiely, of the Douglas Textile Network, on prop creation.

The result is a literary visit to an underwater sea cave for a rave with mermaids, dolphins and assorted other sea creatures.

Glashaboy flood relief works

A spokesperson for Sorensen Civil Engineering has provided an update on the ongoing works for the Glashaboy Flood Relief Scheme.

The three-way stop/go traffic management system in place on the R639 and Hazelwood Junction will continue next week until Wednesday morning. At this point, the traffic management will change to a two way stop/go system on the R639 at Springmount Culvert. Works will be undertaken on the citybound lane, they added, advising people to allow additional time for journeys.

The existing stop/go traffic management by Copper Valley Vue is now removed. A two way stop/go system will be established on New Line Road at New Line Bridge (by O’Connell Transport) today, and will remain in place into February. The L-2964 New Line Road, Brooklodge East Road (by O’Connell’s Transport) will remain fully closed until March 2025.

Anyone who has any questions about the works being carried out by Sorensen can get in touch at 086-0326171.

“On behalf of the entire Sorensen team, I would like to thank residents, businesses, pedestrians and motorists for their continued patience, support, and cooperation,” the spokesperson concluded.

Mayfield Movers walks

Mayfield Movers have begun their first walks of 2025, and are appealing for locals to get involved. The group organises fortnightly walking tours to various locations in Cork city and county every second Monday, with the start time and meeting point varying depending on the walk location, but usually beginning around 11am. All are welcome, but registration is required. Anyone interested in taking part can get in touch beforehand with Liz in Mayfield Community Development Project on 089 2687928 or Fidelma from Health Action Zone on 087 1800210.

Free wine promo

This week is the last week to avail of a free wine promo at St Luke’s Tavern. Every Tuesday and Wednesday in January, when you book a table and order a sharing board for two, you get your first glass of Nyala Sauvignon Blanc (white) or Nyala Cabernet Sauvignon (red) for free.

You can book a table online at www.stlukeswinetavern.ie.

Have Mayfield news to share? Contact amy.campbell@theecho.ie