All About Cork: Events, classes, courses on in local community centre

Blackpool Community Centre is the focal point of the community and is a hive of activity all year round.

The centre will host a range of activities and classes in the next few weeks to get spring off to a great start.

Healthy Food Made Easy, a community cooking programme, will help people to improve their cooking skills, eating behaviours, and nutritional knowledge. It returns on Wednesdays from 10am to 12.30pm, on February 19, 26, March 12, 19, 26 and April 2.

Mindfulness for beginners takes place on Tuesdays, from 2-3pm, including February 18, and March 4, also at the centre.

Blackpool Knitting Group invites you to join them for a ‘Daffodils for Cancer Care’ coffee morning on Tuesday, March 18 at Blackpool Community Centre at 11am. All are welcome. If you have knitted daffodils, bring them along and donate them, with collected funds going to the Cork Cancer Care Centre.

Those with a keen eye for a photo in the local area will now be able to showcase their work, with Health Action Zone launching a photo competition for Blackpool amateur photographers.

The competition is open to those who use either their phone or camera for photography.

Liz Madden, of HAZ, said: “Do you enjoy taking photos on your phone or camera? Would you like to take part in a fun, light competition representing Blackpool across a number of northside groups? If so, please get in touch.”

The theme is ‘Seeing the Beauty in the Ordinary’.

The competition is due to take place on February 15 and will involve a number of participants meeting to share photos. Refreshments will be provided. Contact Liz on 087 6977942 for more details.

Meanwhile, Blackpool YouthClub Association, based at Blackpool Community Centre, was recently afforded a civic reception at City Hall, with Lord Mayor Dan Boyle and Blackpool Community Centre chairperson Louise Jordan presenting a plaque to celebrate 50 years of the club.

The centre is also home to the Over 60s Club, Blackpool Historical Society, Little Sisters of the Assumption: Mission Development Office, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Al-Anon. Many other groups have meetings and offices in the centre, such as Together Razem’s Ukrainian Hub, Together4Ukraine. Other groups include: Foodcloud, Indoor Bowls, the Soccer Referee Society, Citizens Information, Coolmine, and Irish Conversation for Adults.

• For more information and opening hours see: here.

Take Off Festival returns

The Take Off Festival returns to Dance Cork Firkin Crane from February 19-21, with performances from established and emerging choreographers, and flavours of contemporary dance, dabke, and hip hop.

Now in its third year, Take Off celebrates thrilling dance artists from Ireland and Europe. Highlights include works by Aerowaves artists Tú Hoàng (Netherlands/Vietnam) and Habib Ben Tanfous (Belgium/Tunisia), alongside Jessie Keenan (Ireland), Tobi Omoteso (Ireland/Nigeria) and Amir Sabra (Ireland/Palestine).

Professional classes and a roundtable discussion complete the festival schedule. As well as tickets to individual programmes, you can purchase a festival pass.

See here.

Legend Reeves remembered

The Everyman Sunday Songbook team kick off their 22nd year this Sunday with a celebration of Jim Reeves, starring Evelyn Grant as narrator, singers Linda Kenny, Damian Smith and Alan Carney MD, as well as the Songbook band.

The Everyman Sunday Songbook is the longest-running popular music concert series in Ireland.

Jim Reeves, known for his soft, velvet baritone voice and immaculate tuxedos, was one of the biggest hit-makers in country music history.

Despite facing numerous challenges during his 1963 tour of Ireland, including dealing with out-of-tune pianos and gruelling travel schedules, Reeves’ music continued to captivate audiences and dominate the charts.

The Everyman said: “As we celebrate Reeves’ legacy, we invite you to sing along to his timeless hits and immerse yourself in the fascinating stories of his life. Don’t miss this superb night of music and memories.”

• See https://tinyurl.com/3jf4xvy8 for tickets.

Drama and Street theatre classes are back at the Lido

Cork Community Art Link’s (CCAL) drama and street theatre classes have returned to the Lido on 71, Watercourse Road.

CCAL said: “Are you interested in physical theatre/street theatre and performing in this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade? Join us for our free drama/street theatre workshops.”

Participants must be over 18 and no previous experience is required. The classes will take place on Thursdays from 7-9pm until March 13 with the parade performance on March 17.

Email: info@corkcommunityartlink.com or call 021-4553747 to get involved.

History group talk

Shandon Area History Group present their first talk of the year on Wednesday, February 12, at 7.30pm, in Coffa House, Church Street.

The group said: “Author and historian Eamonn Duggan will tell us the story of an almost forgotten Cork revolutionary, Sean Moylan. Sean spent the revolutionary years in north/west Cork and the later years in government, becoming a minister in the Dáil.”

Credit union solar panel draw

Cathedral Credit Union Ltd on Shandon Street will cover the cost of solar panels for one lucky member, up to a maximum of €10,000. Entries close on March 29 for their free members draw. It is part of the credit union’s “commitment to a sustainable local environment”.

Further information and terms and conditions are available from the office and on the credit union’s website.

Cork Arts Theatre programme

Cork Arts Theatre has announced details of its spring to summer 2025 programme.

The venue said: “We have fantastic theatre on offer in the first half of 2025... including the eagerly anticipated premiere of Vera&Son by Patrick Talbot. Audiences who missed Ciaran Bermingham in The Cure by Conal Creedon will have another chance to catch this... and Pat Kinevane with his multi award winning Underneath presented by Fishamble.”

See www.corkartstheatre.com for details.

Delanys GAA celebration

Delanys GAA will celebrate their successes last year with a function this Saturday.

The club said: “We are having a night in the Clayton Hotel to celebrate the great year of 2024 where the girls of Delanys/St Vincents won three counties and the East Cork championship. This is a ticket event and tickets can be purchased through the club.”

See the club’s Facebook page for details.

Lotto jackpot is €13,400

The parish lotto jackpot has reached the sum of €13,400, with a €775 consolation prize also up for grabs.

You can watch the draw today on the Blackpool Facebook page at facebook.com/bbgparish, or on the Cathedral Facebook page at facebook.com/corkcathedral.

Have Blackpool, Shandon and Ballyvolane news to share? Contact robert.mcnamara@theecho.ie