All About Cork: Douglas Tidy Towns clear waste from local woodland

Around 25 people gathered in Doman’s Wood, Donnybrook, last Saturday to lend a hand in Douglas Tidy Towns’ first work party of 2025.

A foreboding morning wind may have kept a few potential volunteers under their duvets, but the weather gods were kind in the end.

As volunteers fanned out across Doman’s Wood with their rubbish bags and pickers, the trees and steep hills of the forest provided plenty of cover, and the first drops of rain were only felt when the equipment was being packed away after a satisfying morning’s work.

Beginning at 10.30am, volunteers cleared bottles, cans, and other litter from the little-known oasis of countryside between Donnybrook and Grange, as well as learning more about the local biodiversity they were working to protect, courtesy of some experts in attendance.

Cork City Council biodiversity officer Rosemarie McDonald talked about the value of local people reporting invasive species.

Karen Loxton from Wild Work SECAD was also in attendance to offer her expertise. She will be back working with Douglas Tidy Towns very soon when she hosts one of her popular bat walks on the Mangala on Friday, April 4, as part of the Cork Lifelong Learning Festival.

Simon Harrison from BEES, UCC, gave a fascinating demonstration on how anyone can assess the health of their local waterway stream with just a net, a tray, and some good wellies. Using a ‘kick sample’ from young volunteer Rebecca, 7, he looked for the “good guys” (stonefly, flattened mayfly, and green caddisfly) and “bad guys” (snail, leech, and waterlouse) — all of which can be seen by the naked eye — to determine the health of the water.

Botanist Jo Goodyear was on hand to talk about the various fauna around the area, including some hemlock water-dropwort which, despite its parsley-like leaves, was certainly not for eating.

“For a healthy thriving ecosystem, wildlife needs connected habitats like Doman’s Wood for a safe way to travel to new food sources, new breeding places or access safe refuges.

“Although Cork City still holds some great examples of these wildlife corridors, unfortunately increasing urbanisation is putting pressure on them.

“These corridors are being fragmented into smaller and smaller pieces squeezing wildlife out and our river water quality is suffering as a result of the increasing pressures related to urbanisation.

“This makes Doman’s Wood an even more important resource to protect and preserve. It is a shining example of how there can be a place for biodiversity in our busy suburbs.”

More than 16 large bin bags of rubbish, along with various debris such as a car bumper, a steering wheel, a stroller, and a child’s scooter, were recovered from the beauty spot. After the work party, volunteers reflected on a job well done while enjoying refreshments generously provided by Ryan’s SuperValu, Grange.

Cllr McCarthy: Reminder of submissions for Clanrickarde Development

Former Lord Mayor of Cork and current Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy is reminding those living in the Boreenmanna Road area that Cork City Council has given notice to develop a piece of land at the junction of Boreenmanna Road and Clanrickarde Estate.

The site is in the ownership of the City Council.

The Clanrickarde Lodges proposed development comprises of the construction of a new part three-storey/part two-storey/part single -storey residential building comprising four number own door access residential units, including two number accessible two-bed ground floor units, one number two-bed first floor unit and one number three-bed duplex unit on the first and second floor.

The proposed development also comprises the demolition and reconfiguration of the existing front wall.

Cllr McCarthy noted; “There have been many local questions to date on this proposed development.

“It is important to have your voice heard through making a submission whether one is in support or not.

“The resulting public consultation report must address the comments made.

“The closing date for submissions and observations is Monday, April 28 at 4pm.

Submissions and observations may be made electronically through https://consult.corkcity.ie/ or in writing to Mark Birch, Acting Programme Manager, Housing Directorate, Cork City Council, City Hall, Anglesea Street, Cork”.

Comhaltas na Dúglaise take part in Patrick’s Day parade

omhaltas na Dúglaise performed at many events over Seachtain na Gaeilge.

A large group of musicians played for the Focus Ireland Big Busk at Douglas Village Shopping Centre recently.

A very large group played and danced at the welcome home for Saint Patrick’s Day festival at Cork Airport on Thursday, March 13, from 8pm.

The following night the senior grúpa (Over 18) performed at the Munster Fleadh Cheoil fundraising concert ‘Ceol Chorcaí’ at Cork City Hall.

Other groups played at schools and St Lukes Home last week.

A contingent walked and played in the Douglas St Patrick’s Day parade.

The U18 grúpa will perform at the Carrigaline Men’s Shed Concert on Sunday night at the Carrigaline Court Hotel.

GAA club pitch plan

Douglas GAA Club want to move ahead with the development of a third full-sized pitch at their grounds.

In a message to club members they said: “Our big focus in 2025 will now be advancing the development of pitch three now that clarity has been brought to our planning permission.

“Having a third full size pitch will give us the opportunity to consider the development of one of our pitches to a full size all-weather astro. This would be a huge boon to the club.

“As part of this programme we would look to address the flooding and other issues that persist in pitch two.

“A committee has been formed to advance this and we have started preliminary engagement with potential contractors..

“It is all very exciting but obviously there will be significant costs in taking this forward.

“Accordingly, we want to flag to you that the Rebel’s Bounty ticket sale is currently ongoing. This will enter you in to monthly draws with a total prize fund of €500,000. “Furthermore, we have a Douglas only prize of two premium tickets to Páirc Uí Chaoimh for all games in 2025. So lots of chances to win.

“What’s important to note is that your total entry price for the draw comes back to the club as a commission. We would appreciate it you could consider supporting the draw if you are not already a supporter.”

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