All About Cork: Cllr McCarthy to host award ceremony that celebrates Cork history

Former Lord Mayor and Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy will host the upcoming award ceremony of the Discover Cork Schools’ Heritage Project 2025 in the Concert Hall at City Hall on March 3.

A total of 29 schools in Cork city took part in the 2024/25 school year, which included schools in Douglas, Ballinlough, Beaumont, Blackrock and with a reach to Glanmire, Ballincollig, and inner city schools as well. Circa 800 students participated in the process with approx 200 project books submitted on all aspects of Cork’s local history and its cultural and built heritage.

The Discover Cork Schools’ Heritage Project is in its 23rd year and is a youth platform for students to do research and write it up in a project book on any topic of Cork history.

The aim of the project is to allow students to explore, investigate and debate their local heritage in a constructive, active and fun way.

Co-ordinator and founder of the project, Mr McCarthy noted that: “Every year the project books that are produced are amazing.

“There is a huge appetite amongst our young people to learn about our local history and to celebrate it.

“For every student as well there is also family support — so whereas there are 800 students involved, one could multiple that by a factor of four or five when you take the support of immediate family members into account.

“This year great projects were written up on Cork landmarks such as The River Lee to Shandon to streets such as MacCurtain Street to an array of oral history projects — I’ve even seen very original projects, such as this year I received a number of history trails on local neighbourhoods. The standard of model-making and short film making — to go with project books — continues to be very high and very creative,” he added.

The project is funded by Cork City Council with further sponsorship offered by Learnit Lego Education, Old Cork Waterworks Experience and Mr McCarthy. Full results for this year’s project are online on Mr McCarthy’s heritage website, http://www.corkheritage.ie

Garryduff Sports Club launch lotto draw

Comhaltas na Dúglaise members enjoy trip to festival

Comhaltas na Dúglaise classes were off last week due to the midterm break, however a contingent from the Branch headed to Ballyferriter, County Kerry for Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh festival.

Members are being encouraged to take part in the Cork County Fleadh Cheoil which will be held in Ballincollig on April 26 and 27.

This year the Munster Fleadh Cheoil will be held in Cork at MTU from Tuesday, July 15, to Saturday July 19. Competitions will start at 9am on Wednesday, July 16 and continue until Saturday evening July 19.

A programme of traditional entertainment events will be held in city centre locations throughout the weekend.

Comhaltas na Dúglaise is a vibrant branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

Established 28 years ago, from humble beginnings with just a handful of members, the branch has continued to grow and prosper. They now have a membership of more than 300 ranging in age from five to 85 years old who attend classes each Wednesday night at Gaelscoil na Dúglaise in the heart of Douglas village.

The branch strives to embed the true ethos of Comhaltas promoting Irish music and culture. The primary focus of the branch is providing affordable classes in the full range of traditional instruments and singing in a fun way.

Douglas/Frankfield Men’s Shed host network event

Tomorrow morning the Douglas/Frankfield Men’s Shed will be hosing a network event at Frankfield community centre.

The event is for members of men’s shed across Cork and will run from 9.30am to 2.30pm and will be packed with ideas and information for members to help them for the year ahead.

The community centre is adjacent to the Douglas/Frankfield Men’s Shed and they are expecting more than 100 shed members to be in attendance on the day.

The agenda is a busy one so those attending are advised to get there early.

A spokesperson said: “The agenda and format for the day will be as per below and we will also take the opportunity to distribute and photograph the FLOGAS kettles at this event.

“I look forward to catching up with you all and if you could confirm your shed’s attendance as soon as possible as we will be providing refreshments and lunch on the day.

“Ideally two or three members from each shed please.” The agenda for the day is:

9.30-10am: Registration and refreshments.

10am: Minister Jerry Buttimer’s address to the men’s sheds in Cork.

10.30am: Kieran O’Connell will speak on the Community Enhancement Grant 2025 roll out/update.

10.45 am: Welcome from chairman Frank O’Connor of the Douglas/Frankfield Men’s Shed and Irish Men’s Sheds Association’s welcome and update to members.

11am: Ronan Ó Caoimhe, CETB area coordinator, on REACH funding for sheds in collaboration with Douglas/Frankfield shed members on the development of their new workshop.

11.30am: Arthur Needham/Orla Burke, Climate Action Office, will give an update on environmental grants from Cork City Council.

11.45am: Mary Sheehy, community development worker, Cork City Council, on grants and programme updates.

12 noon: Alison Chambers, Cork Sports Partnership, will host an activator poles demo and energiser session.

1pm: Lunch and mix and mingle with fellow shed members.

This will be followed by the distribution and photographs with FLOGAS kettles.

Douglas Writers Group

Just a reminder that the Douglas Writers Group will meet on Friday, March 7, 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.

Have Douglas news to share? Contact rory.noonan@theecho.ie