All About Cork: Councillors call for Dillion’s Cross regeneration works

Motions relating to Mayfield and Dillon’s Cross were raised by local councillors at the most recent local area committee meeting for the North East ward.

Labour’s John Maher proposed that Cork City Council apply for funding through central Government to regenerate Dillon’s Cross.

“The area is rich in history and the area needs better road alignment, improved public realm, safer pedestrian crossings, greener streetscape, and promotion of the history of the area,” said Mr Maher.

Paul Moynihan, the council’s director of local area development and operations, told councillors that the Cork BusConnects project incorporates proposals for the upgrade of Dillon’s Cross. The proposals are contained within the Mayfield to city sustainable transport corridor, and include for improved road alignment, footpaths, pedestrian crossings, and public realm works.

It is envisioned that the scheme proposals for this corridor will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála by the National Transport Authority (NTA) early next year and councillors will be kept appraised of related progress.

Green Party councillor Oliver Moran has asked if Cork City Council will resurface the carpark of the Frank O’Connor Library in Mayfield, suggesting it could be used as a “park and stride” location to nearby schools and early childhood facilities.

However, he was told that as the library car park is not part of the public road network, roads grants are not available to resurface it.

The director added that Part 8 approval has been given for redevelopment proposals for Mayfield Library and funding application made for the project.

However, he added that this redevelopment project would make the library an unsuitable location for a park and stride service.

Another motion by Mr Moran, that the council designate the Glen River Park as a “dark space”, free of artificial light, for the benefit of nature, has been transferred to a committee meeting to be discussed there. Artificial lighting is known to significantly alter the natural behaviour of nocturnal wildlife

The issue of the steps by the Dean Hotel on Horgan’s Quay not yet being opened was also discussed at the meeting.

The girls in green

Dumpers on CCTV

Higgins SuperValu in Mayfield has taken to social media following repeated illegal dumping in their car park, warning the perpetrators that they have CCTV footage that includes identifying details.

The management shared on Facebook: “It is with dismay and disgust that we find ourselves compelled to share this message.

“To the individuals responsible for disposing and dumping of their household waste in our car park over the past few weeks, we have captured CCTV footage of these incidents, which includes clear and identifiable name and address information (despite your efforts to conceal it).”

The store added: “Should any further occurrences take place, we will report this information to the authorities and pursue all available legal action.”

Ball run helps first responders

The Cork Lions Club held their annual Patrick’s Hill ball run last week, raising money for local charities.

People bought balls in advance of the event, and each ball was individually numbered, released from a cage at the top of Patrick’s Hill and gathered in a trap at the bottom of the hill, with the first six balls winning a prize.

Following the successful event, the club donated €1,000 to the Glanmire Community First Responders, with the money to be spent on a training defibrillator and other equipment.

Group volunteers Ger, Louise, Aisling, and Joan accepted the donation on behalf of the group at the annual ball run on Patrick’s Hill.

The Glanmire Community First Responders are currently recruiting for new volunteers, with full training to be provided to anyone who signs up.

They thanked everyone who has made contact so far.

Anyone interested can email Louise at secretarygcfr@glanmire.com. An information night for volunteers will be held soon.

Mayfield CDP lectures

The development psychology lecture series came to an end at Mayfield CDP during the week, with 18 adults participating on the course, both onsite and online. Tadgh Connery from UCC facilitated the sessions each week, while Cork Education and Training Board (ETB) funded it. A Mental Health course in conjunction with UCC is continuing too, also funded by Cork ETB through REACH 2024.

Two new courses are to begin next month, and are free to all. Beginners computers will start on Tuesday, April 1, and will run from 10am to 12 noon for six sessions on Tuesday mornings.

A defibrillator training course will be held on Monday, April 28, from 9.30am to 1.30pm.

All courses are run in the Mayfield CDP Community Resource Centre, 328 Old Youghal Rd, Mayfield, and are funded by the Cork Education and Training Board or the Cork City Partnership Clg.

To book a place on any of the courses, you can contact Mayfield CALP on 021 450 8562 or email mayfieldcalp1@outlook.com.

Passing of Fr Ben Hegarty

Our Lady Crowned Church, Mayfield, has shared the sad news that Fr Ben Hegarty died last week in Cork.

The church said: “Fr Ben was a part of the St Dominican community for many years where he shared his wisdom, his knowledge of scripture, and fundamentally his deep faith in God.

“Those who were privileged to ever be in Fr Ben’s company always left with a new piece of knowledge about Christ and the scriptures.

“He will be remembered fondly for his time at the former Ennismore Retreat Centre and at Our Lady Crowned Church, where he assisted on many occasions.”

Lifelong learning

The Mayfield Lifelong Learning Expo 2025 will take place on Saturday, April 5, from 12pm to 4pm at Mayfield sports complex.

The event aims to showcase what is on offer in areas such as sports, leisure, clubs, services, education, training community employment, health, and wellbeing. Entry is free and it will include face painting, activities for all ages, live music and dance courses, and a pop-up cafe.

Easter camps

Two different children’s camps will run at the Mayfield sports complex over the Easter holidays. From April 14 to 19 from 9am to 2pm, an Easter sports and fun camp will take place, aimed at five to 12-year-olds, consisting of a mixture of sports, drama, art, and dance.

All sessions will be led by trained coaches and childcare professionals. Participation costs €75 per child with family discounts available.

The other camp, Rookie Lifeguard Camp, for eight to 12-year-olds, aims to provide a fun and safe way to learn lifesaving skills and water safety from qualified trainers. The camp runs from April 22 to 25 from 11am to 2pm and costs €65 per child. Children must be able to swim 25 metres in front crawl, swim on their back, swim breast stroke, and tread water for one minute.

You can book a place at either camp by calling 021 450 6232 or emailing info@mymsc.ie.

Have Mayfield news to share? Contact amy.campbell@theecho.ie