All About Cork: Lord Mayor praises efforts to retrofit community centre

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Green Party councillor Dan Boyle, has praised Ballyphehane Community Centre management for its efforts to upgrade the centre and to make it more environmentally friendly.

Solar panels are set to be installed at the community centre in February as it continues its journey towards greater sustainability and retrofitting.

Last year, centre management installed a new roof and upgraded windows and doors — and they are not done yet.

In a recent statement to The Echo, a spokesperson for the centre revealed plans to install solar panels next month.

“Over the last few years, the board of the Ballyphehane Community Association has worked on an ambitious plan to make Ballyphehane a sustainable energy community,” they said.

“We are now in the midst of a significant retrofit of the community centre. This phase of works will conclude with solar PV installation.

“Thanks to all our contracting partners, and special thanks to our consulting engineers Waterman Kelly as well as advisors Cork Energy Consultancy.

“Special thanks to all our funding partners and the Ballyphehane community; your continued support has made this possible.”

Mr Boyle praised the centre for its environmental efforts.

“The work that has gone into making Bally-phehane Community Centre more energy efficient has been phenomenal.

“Many challenges exist retrofitting such a large building,” said Mr Boyle.

“The cost is significant but the commitment of the community association has been strong and its commitment to climate action has been acknowledged by grants won to do this project.

“Ballyphehane Community Association is providing a great example to community groups throughout the country.”

The Lord Mayor’s own green journey continued earlier this month when he was presented with the 2025 lord mayoral car, a fully electric Ford Capri Premium, by Henry Ford & Son market lead John Manning.

Mr Boyle said that as Cork’s first citizen, he wanted to lead by example and help to promote sustainable ways of travel.

“For four years now, Ford & Sons have helped the office of the lord mayor to highlight the ways in which we can be a more sustainable city and, for this, I am grateful.”

Concert for Penny Dinners

Ballyphehane will host a charity concert this weekend with the aim of raising funds for an important charity in Cork.

A concert will take place on Sunday, February 2 at 3pm in the Harp Bar, Ballyphehane, to raise funds for Cork Penny Dinners.

The local bar, based on Pouladuff Rd, is well-known for hosting events in aid of local clubs, organisations, and charities.

Taking part will be Colm Walsh vocalist, Julian Harper, and Colm Petit, violinist, Stevie McCabe Uileann pipes, and Jim Bailey, vocalist.

Also performing will be the very popular Laura Carey and Lottie O’Driscoll.

Lottie was recently a guest artist at the Lord Mayor’s Concert in City Hall.

This week, the event’s organiser, Jim Bailey, spoke about it.

He said: “I wish to thank all the artists for giving up their time to raise funds for a very worthy cause in Penny Dinners.”

Admission on the day will be €10.

Cork students go stateside

Pipe band to gather

The Ballyphehane Pipe Band is hosting another gathering of pipers and drummers from across Cork next week.

The local band is giving musicians the opportunity to connect with other band members to share their knowledge, expertise, and love of piping and drumming.

In a statement, the group said: “Another gathering is on its way to Ballyphehane. We have had three wonderful, successful gatherings and now we look forward to putting all our learnings into practice again.

“It’s always a great way to come together to keep the tradition alive, learn, and make new friends.”

The gathering will take place on February 23, from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

To secure a place, contact grainne@btcdp.ie or sheehanjohn54@gmail.com.

Storm damage forces closure of Redmonds GAA grounds

Redmonds GAA grounds, the home of Bally-phehane GAA, was forced to close last week as a result of damage caused by Storm Éowyn.

In a post on social media, Ballyphehane GAA revealed the extent of the damage.

Sharing photos of damaged netting and goal posts, the club said: “Unfortunately, Storm Éowyn has left a very serious and damaging impact on the grounds especially by one of the goal post areas. Please remain away from this area as it is very dangerous with debris and wiring.”

The club also asked for help in cleaning up the pitch from local people and businesses as the season is just around the corner for the club’s minor and junior football and hurling teams.

Growth of girls’ rugby hailed

Sundays Well RFC has expressed delight at seeing the success of girls’ rugby teams in Cork.

The local club recently hosted a Munster Junior Cup game between Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig and St Colman’s Midleton, a debut in the cup for both teams.

The club hailed the event as “a historic moment for Munster Rugby, proudly hosted by Sundays Well RFC”.

“It’s incredible to see the growth of girls’ rugby in the region,” it said. “Well done to both schools for making history and showcasing such fantastic talent on the pitch!”

The Lough opera up for award

Cork singer songwriter John Spillane’s opera about local landmark The Lough has been named on the shortlist for Album of the Year at the upcoming RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards.

The album by the Passage West-based singer, whose many hits include ‘Princes Street’ and ‘Johnny Don’t Go To Ballincollig’, is shortlisted for the award alongside folk legend Christy Moore’s A Terrible Beauty, Cathy Jordan’s Crankie Island Song Project, and eponymous albums from Keane Connolly McGorman and Lemoncello.

In a Facebook post, John Spillane described the announcement that Fíoruisce — The Legend of the Lough has been nominated as “great news” and referred to performers on the album, including Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin and Rioghnach Connolly, who also feature among the nominees.

The category winners will be announced at a special show hosted by RTÉ’s John Creedon at Vicar Street, Dublin, on February 26, to be broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1.

TD calls for Dáil diversity

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice is keen to bring a fresh voice and younger perspective to Irish politics.

“Of the 174 TDs in this new Dáil only 15 of us are 35 or under,” he said. 

“The Dáil should look like Ireland and at the moment it doesn’t.

“That’s not just young people — we need more women, more migrants, more people of colour, more people with disabilities, more Travellers, more LGBTQ people, and more people from working-class communities.”

Have Ballyphehane news to share? Contact darraghberminghamecho@gmail.com.