All About Cork: Delivering a youth club that will serve next generations

While it has been a couple of years since the world started to get back to normal following the covid pandemic, many elements of society are still feeling its impact.

Among them is the Crosshaven Youth Club, which under the guidance of Micheal Aherne Caron Brennan, Ley James Brennan and others, had done trojan work for the young people of the local community. The club closed its doors at the start of the pandemic, and has not reopened since.

However, ambitious plans are in place to remedy this, with a team of Noel Condon, Stephen Cleary and Patsy Feagan with assistance of Elaine Aherne and Michael Aherne, aiming to reopen the club in time for the start of the September school term.

Mr Condon said: “The continued closure of the Youth Club in Crosshaven has left a void for the ever-expanding youth living in Crosshaven and surrounding areas.”

However, before it can reopen the club needs to make repairs to its premises.

“The building requires upgrading due to wear and tear in many areas before it can reopen its doors,” said Mr Condon.

To date more than €6,000 has been invested into the building, including upgrading the fire alarm system and painting the hall, with new fencing currently being erected outside the building.

The club also has to cover insurance costs and utility bills.

“Our aim over the next few months is to [get] close to a further €8,000 so we can complete the revamp and give Crosshaven a youth club that can serve the young people of the area for years to come,” said Mr Condon.

“Locals and those with an interest in Crosshaven can donate any amount they can, no amount is too small or too large for that matter, [on] the Crosshaven Youth Club Go Fund Me page,” he added.

A number of fundraising events had also been organised, including The Crosshaven Run, incorporating 10k and 5k road races and a kids race, which will take place in and around Crosshaven this coming Sunday.

“We reached the magic number of 500 entrants for The Crosshaven Run, organised by the wonderful MC Dean Watson, very quickly. That goes to show there is a real appetite in the area for the return of the youth club,” said Mr Condon.

“We would ask the public to be aware there will be road disruptions in and around Crosshaven Sunday and look forward to their cooperation.”

On Saturday, April 26 The City Light Orchestra will perform in concert at the Crosshaven Community Hall.

“The last night the orchestra was here we had a most entertaining evening of great music and fun.

“Tickets will be available shortly priced at €15,” said Mr Condon.

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Shine Centre host event

The Shine Centre For Autism in Carrigaline will host an event on Thursday, March 20, entitled ‘Emotion-Based School Avoidance: Understanding and Supporting Your Child’.

Facilitated by author, lecturer and autism consultant Laura Crowley, the presentation will offer an insightful exploration into the causes behind emotion-based school avoidance, helping parents uncover the underlying factors contributing to their child’s distress.

The session will also provide practical, supportive strategies to help children navigate their school-related anxieties, rebuild their confidence, and find a path back to learning in a way that respects their individual needs. The session will also provide practical, supportive strategies to help children navigate their school-related anxieties and rebuild their confidence.

The cost for the presentation, which will run from 7pm to 8.30pm, will be €20 per person.

For more information visits www.shineireland.com.

€600 for Sierra Leone

A bake sale held recently by the children of Templebreedy National School in Crosshaven raised more than €600 to help families living in poverty in Sierra Leone.

The bake sale was prompted by the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, the Rt Rev Dr Paul Colton, who launched a diocesan appeal last October to support the work of Christian Aid Ireland and its local partner, the Sierra Leone Council of Churches, as they help families rebuild their lives after being displaced from their farmland following the arrival of a huge palm oil plantation.

Christian Aid Ireland’s Bandon-based church and community officer Andrew Coleman thanked all the staff, pupils and parents of Templebreedy National School for their fantastic fundraising effort.

Love, Lies and Renovations

The Coastal Arts and Dramatic Society (CADS) will stage Love, Lies and Renovations, an adult comedy directed by Jacinta McBride at the Royal Cork Yacht Club at 8pm from Monday, March 10 to Friday 12.

Tickets for the show, billed as an evening of ‘fun and frolics’, are available from Centra Crosshaven, O’Connell’s foodstore at Mytrleville and Walsh’s pharmacy on Main Street, Carrigaline.

Men’s Shed hold AGM

Carrigaline Men’s Shed held their AGM on Wednesday last, February 26, with an attendance of 34 members. Chairman Barry Cogan welcomed everybody and in his address briefly outlined the beginning of the Shed, progress to date and plans for the future. Hon Secretary, Roger Morrissey in his secretary’s report detailed the many activities and developments during the year. Hon Treasurer Aidan Winters gave a very detailed account of all the financial transactions throughout the year. He stated that while they were in a good financial position they still needed to be prudent and continue fundraising.

The election of officers was as follows; president, Stephen McCarthy; chairman, Barry Cogan; vice-chairman, Pat Dineen; hon secretary, Roger Morrissey; assistant secretary, Martin Parfrey; honorary treasurer, Aidan Winters; assistant treasurer, Gerard Dubois; PRO, Barry Cogan. Committee: Finbarr Heas, Neil Purkiss, Michael Cotter, Brian Clough, Mike Wheelan and John Kelleher.

Discussions took place on acquiring new equipment for the shed, the training and certifying of members in competence in operating equipment in the workshops and the purchase of a defibrillator were also discussed.

The Men’s Shed fundraising variety concert on March 23 was discussed and tickets distributed to members to sell. The Men’s Shed will do a promotion day for the concert on this Saturday, March 9, at Barry Collins SuperValu Mall where tickets will be on sale for €15. Enquiries to Roger Morrissey 087 2203547.

Aifreann as Gaeilge

Aifreann as Gaeilge is celebrated at 10am on the second Sunday of every month in the Church of Our Lady and St John, Carrigaline. An mí seo, mí na Márta, beidh Aifreann Gaeilge á chéiliuradh ar an Domhnach an 9ú lá ar a 10am.

Club Céilí on Saturday

Beidh bileoga Aifrinn agus iomainn ar fáil ag na dóirse. Beidh cór agus buionn cheoil ón nGaelscoil i láthair freisin in éineacht leis an cór gaeilge. Beidh fáilte roimh chách.

Saturday, March 8, will see the next Club Céilí running from 7.30pm to 9pm for more family friendly non-competitive traditional Irish Céilí dances.

As it will be during Seachtain na Gaeilge, the dances will be called in both English and as Gaeilge. Tea, hot chocolate and cake afterwards.

For more information please contact Fionan on 087 8185111 or email theceiliexperience@gmail.com.

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