All About Cork: Call to recognise unsung heroes in the community

People from the Carrigaline and Crosshaven area are being encouraged to once again recognise the often unsung heroes who go above an beyond for ther respective communities.

Carriagline and Crosshaven featured heavily in the 2024 Cork International Hotel Community Spirt Awards, with groups and individuals winning monthly awards.

The Shine Centre for Autism at Carrigaline won the January award for its dedication to providing invaluable services, support and information to children with autism and their families. The March award went to Carrigaline volunteer Adrian O’Herlihy for his unwavering participation and dedication to community services.

Crosshaven community garda Stephen Cleary, scooped the July award, a well-deserved acknowledgement of his involvement in local activist groups and fundraising organisations. Carrigaline native, Paddy O’Connell, won the August award for his lifelong service and unwavering dedication to the Carrigaline Pipe Band.

Special needs assistant Elaine Curtin, who dedicates much of her free time to coaching the local youth basketball team, was recognised for her commitment to helping others with the September awards.

At the recent Cork International Hotel Community Spirit Awards ceremony Paddy O’Connell and Elaine Curtain were further honoured with prestigious Lifetime and Public Vote awards respectively.

Nominations are now open for the 2025 awards, once again recognising an outstanding contribution or special achievement made to the community by a group or individual.

The awards are a great opportunity to highlight and celebrate the work done within our local community, to reward unsung heroes and recognise the phenomenal contribution they have made to so many lives.

The awards aim to celebrate and recognise the remarkable people within our community who selflessly give their time, talent and dedication to benefit others.

Anyone can nominate a volunteer or group that is located in Cork city or the southside of Cork county. The only requirement is that they give their time voluntarily and without financial reward.

There is no deadline for entry. Community Spirit Awards are run monthly, with one monthly winner and one overall annual winner. Nominees can be submitted any time.

Whether you are nominating yourself, your group/organisation, or someone else, please complete the form at www.corkinternationalhotel.com.

Lions Club presents cheques

The Carrigaline Lions Club did wonderful charitable work over Christmas and during this month of January.

Lions members continue to call weekly to visit the residents of their 16 Lions houses in Carrigaline.

The Lions Club recently had a cheque presentation night.

The gathering was welcomed by Kieran McNamee and the cheques were presented by club president Anita Curtin.

Marymount Hospice and Childhood Cancer were presented with €4,000 each and the Lions Youth Centre with a cheque for €2,500.

Forthcoming events on the Lions Club calendar include the Rebecca Storm concert in Carrigaline Court Hotel on Thursday, March 27, and the great railway run on Sunday, April 23. To date 180 runners have registered for the 25k run from Monaghan Road via the Railway Walk through Passage West and Monkstown to the Lions Youth Centre in Carrigaline.

Twin town group to visit

The visiting group from our twin town, Guidel in Brittany, will arrive at Carrigaline on Wednesday, April 9, at 9.30am by bus on their way to Dingle and Killarney.

The group will include parents and about 20 children. As part of the programme the young people have arranged to play rugby in Crosshaven. The group of 15 adults includes the musical group Calfats.

They return from Kerry on Friday, April 11, and will stay in Carrigaline until they go home on the ferry on Wednesday, April 16.

The twinning committee needs host families for the 15 adults, of which there are four couples and seven ladies.

The Carrigaline Twinning Committee plans the official dinner for Sunday, April 13.

Contact Jim Kelly on 086 232 1064.

Men’s Shed host table quiz

Plenty of action at Carrigaline Men’s Shed these days with their recent table quiz, new members joining, and activities in the wood workshop, the engineering workshop and the poly tunnel.

The Shed choir, which now has a total of 29 members, continues to practice every Tuesday at 10.30am. They are preparing a new selection for this year’s Men’s Shed variety concert, which will be held on March 23 at the Carrigaline Court Hotel, and for a performance at the choral festival.

The Men’s Shed was recently given a quality set of tools, suitable for working on a metal lathe, and now the engineers want a lathe. The walking group went for a Leeside walk to Glenbrook, while the fitness group had their final session of chair exercises and intend to start a new course in the weeks ahead. Meanwhile the snooker players meet every Thursday morning for a game. In the Shed the kettle is always on the go and it is nice to see men calling for a cup of tea, a read of the paper and a chat. The Men’s Shed held its AGM on Wednesday, February 26.

New members welcome. Enquiries Roger Morrissey 087 2003547.

Scór na bPáistí finals

The Carrigdhoun Divisional final for Scór na bPáistí will take place at Riverstick Community Centre on the afternoon of Saturday March 8.

This competition is open to children attending primary schools in the Carrigdhoun division.

All GAA clubs and schools in the division have been informed by email of this GAA competition.

The competitions are: Rince Foirne, Figure/Céilí Dancing; Amhránaíocht Áonair/ Solo Singing; Aithriseoireacht/Scéalaíocht, Recitation/Storytelling; Baileád Ghrúpa/Ballad Group; Tráth na gCeisteanna/ Quiz; Nuachleas/Novelty Act; Ceol Uirlise/Instrumental Music; Rince Seit/Set Dancing; Ceol Áonair/Solo Instrumental and Rince Áonair/Solo Dance. Enquiries contact your local GAA club or school.

Active retired return

Carrigaline Active Retirement Association members recently returned to the community complex after their Christmas break where an attendance of approximately 40 members were present and played board games bringing them back to their childhood and having fun. They had plenty of chat over a cup of tea catching up after the break. The groups held its AGM on Thursday.

Pipe band practice

Carraigaline Pipe Band practice continues every Thursday night at the Band Hall at 7 pm new members welcome. Enquiries Paddy O’Connell. 087 968 5833.

Carrigaline to get a McDonald’s

Carrigaline could be set to get its own McDonald’s restaurant and drive-thru after the company posted a notice at the site adjacent to Aldi stating they intend to apply for planning permission.

Have Carrigaline and Crosshaven news to share? Contact bill.browne@theecho.ie