All About Cork: Over-60s band entertain nursing-home residents

A very enjoyable afternoon of song and dance was held at a Cork northside nursing home last week with the help of an ever-popular musical group.

The Over 60s Concert Group, who visit the many nuring homes throughout the city, entertained the residents at Mount Cara.

Welcoming the group, Sheena Sheena Varghese, of Mount Cara, thanked them for their many visits during the year.

Entertaining the residents were the Over 60s Concert Group performers, who have become well-known around the city.

Performing were past winners of the Over 60s talent group competition, which ran for over 40 years in Cork, including Charlie McAllister and Liam McCarthy, as well as past finalists Fred Lotty, Tony Blackshields and Kevin Cummins.

Paddy O’ Brien, who organises these afternoon concerts, said: “We all get great pleasure entertaining the residents at these homes.

“I have said, on numerous occasions, the residents in these homes can experience loneliness, despite the great care they get from the staff. There was a special tribute paid to Waterford man Charie McAllister, who won the Over 60s at the Cork Opera House in 2O13.

“Representing Midleton, he was last recently honoured by the GAA for his work as an umpire for the past 40 years. Charlie’s son, Cathal, is the well-known GAA referee.”

 Activities coordiator at Mount Cara, Sophie Walsh, thanked the Over 60s group for their many visits to the home during the year.

“The entertainment is very much appreciated by all and we look forwrd to their return visit,” she said.” Also present was Ger Bruton, who has been very involved with the Over 60s for many years.

Lifelong Learning events

Blackpool Library is hosting some events for Cork Lifelong Learning Festival.

On April 3, at 10.30am, there will be an introduction to online resources for Irish family history research.

Learn about the main online resources to trace your family’s history including the census 1901/1911, civil records, church records, and newspapers.

All are welcome and no booking is required.

On April 5, at 10.30am, art therapy to improve mental health and wellbeing will take place with art therapist Emma Cubitt.

The hands-on group session will explore art therapy exercises. No art experience is needed and materials will be provided.

Limited to 10 participants aged 16 and older, booking is essential.

Contact Blackpool Library on 021 4924933 or by email at blackpool_library@corkcity.ie to reserve a place.

HeART of Gaz a at Crane Visual

The HeART of Gaza exhibition is running at Crane Visual at Dance Cork Firkin Crane until May 3.

Touring both internationally and across Ireland, the original HeART of Gaza project grew out of a WhatsApp exchange of images of children’s drawings and paintings between Mohammed Timraz (Gaza) and Féile Butler (Sligo).

The exhibition features raw depictions of life in Gaza from artists as young as three.

‘The Artist’s Tent’ founded by Mohammed Timraz to provide for his community in Deir al Balah, grew into this exhibition project offering intimate insight into the lived reality of childhood in Gaza across the past 18 months, depicting both horrors and moments of beauty, of fond memories tinged with melancholy, of resilience and defiance, and of hope for the future.

It is curated by Félie Butler, Mohammed Timraz, and Dermot Browne with installation design by Eman Alkarajeh. Crane Visual Art and interdisciplinary social space in the Musgrave Theatre is curated by Dermot Browne. For more, visit www.dancecorkfirkincrane.ie

Remembrance mass held for deceased CIE staff members

Last month, a CIE remembrance mass was held at the North Cathedral, Cork for all deceased CIE staff.

The mass was deemed a huge success with a very high turnout. Organisers received over 600 names from families, relatives, and friends of deceased CIE staff members A special booklet was produced and printed; listing all the names of deceased CIE staff members. 

A copy of the special booklet was given to everyone who attended the mass.

Lord Mayor, Cllr Dan Boyle attended the mass, celebrated by Father John Walsh, along with approximately 300 members of families, relatives and friends of CIE deceased staff.

The attendance heard the beautiful singing of hymns by The Cork City Male Choir.

A remembrance candle was given to everyone who attended to bring home for their deceased family, relatives, or friends who worked for CIE.

After the remembrance mass, everyone, including present colleagues, had a chance to meet and catch up with each other.

Another mass is planned for next year.

Concerts raise €14k for church

A cheque for €7,350 has been presented to Ss Peter & Paul’s Church, courtesy of City of Cork Male Voice Choir and Sonatinas Music Academy, from a fundraising concert that was held last Christmas.

A cheque for €7,000 has also been presented to Ss Peter & Paul’s Church, courtesy of the East Cork Choral Society, who had performed Handel’s Messiah last November. These cheques will go towards the boiler in the church.

The parish said: “We thank the City of Cork Male Voice Choir, Sonatinas Music Academy and the East Cork Choral Society.”

Everyman’s Artists Afternoon

The Everyman’s March ‘Artists Afternoon’ will take place on Thursday March 27 between 1.30 and 3.30pm.

As usual, it is open to all professional artists and arts workers. The Everyman bar will be open for free tea, coffee and chats and feel free to bring your lunch.

There is no set format for the afternoon, all you need to do is turn up at some point and be prepared to chat to other artists and arts workers. All we ask is that you have a conversation with at least one person who is new to you, or whose work you do not know.

Everyone is welcome and if you need to bring children with you, they are welcome, just make sure to book a ticket for them too.

For more information, contact Aoife Clarke, line producer, aoife@everymancork.com

Blackpool SouthDoc status

The HSE has insisted that Blackpool SouthDoc remains operational despite no patients being seen in the centre in January 2025.

The service provided 160 home visits across the northside of Cork city in January and February 2025, the HSE have said.

A HSE spokesperson told The Echo: “SouthDoc provides out-of-hours GP care under a service level agreement with the HSE. HSE South West are advised that the Blackpool SouthDoc Centre remains operational.”

Have 

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