All About Cork: Mayfield student’s delight as singing video goes viral

Clara Petronilli recently went viral on Facebook, after a video of her singing in the Our Lady Crowned Church choir got 1.5 million views.

She sang David’s Song — Who’ll Come, a 1979 release by the Kelly Family, a European-American music group who once owned a home in East Cork.

Clara, 13, is a first year student at Mayfield Community School, where she does music with Mr Seán Casey and member of the church choir, which sings at the noon mass every Sunday and is comprised of all age groups.

Some of the hymns and music have been composed by conductor Michael Joyce and the choir members. The choir features every Sunday on the church’s facebook page, which has 20,000 followers — Clara’s 1.5 million hits is three times their previous record.

Fr Charlie Kiely said: “We are very proud of Clara’s achievement and of her musical talent. Both her parents are musical and it is only natural that Clara’s musical gift comes from her parents and their encouragement.

“Every liturgy should speak to the congregation and the piece of music that Clara sang had a powerful message for all young people.”

Fr Kiely said that Clara also sang recently in City Hall in a musical and faith project organised by the Diocese of Cork and Ross called Maranatha.

Mayfield Community School principal Mr Kieran Golden said he is very proud of Clara’s achievement, that she is an excellent student in the school, and shows great potential.

Mum, Karen Petronilli, said that Clara has technically been a member of the choir since she was three months old, as she used to go in her carrycot with her mum.

“When she was a toddler she would stand next to Michael, our conductor, ‘helping’ him to conduct the choir, and when she was around four she started to join in with us. She started singing, as the Abba song said, before she could talk.”

Clara sings all genres of music but favours musicals, indie rock and old classics — both her parents are musicians so she has gotten some singing tips from them, and the choir has boosted her confidence to perform.

Her dad is a piano teacher, so she has learned piano from him, she taught herself the guitar, as well as doing music with Mr Casey in Mayfield Community School.

Clara dreams of writing her own music, and told The Echo: “I feel honoured to have touched so many people in such an emotional way.”

Sinn Féin TD criticises the lack of occupational therapists on Cork northside

Local Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould has criticised the lack of occupational therapists (OTs) after information from the Minister for Health on the shortage in Mayfield.

In the North Cork City Central health network, made up of five areas: Blackpool/The Glen; Carrignavar; Mayfield; Montenotte/Tivoli and St Patrick’s, there is budget to employ eight WTE (whole time equivalent) OTs, but only four roles are filled.

The budget covers three WTE pediatric OTs, but only 0.6 WTEs are actually employed. One WTE is commencing a post on April 21, there is currently one WTE on statutory leave and 0.2 WTE on parental leave as well as 0.2 WTE in a clinical coordinator role.

For adult OTs, there is budget for five adult WTEs but only three are employed. The HSE added that cross cover from another CHN was provided in October, 2024, and that they are currently going through the recruitment process for 0.4 WTE.

“Efforts are continuing to increase staffing resources where vacancies arise and in this regard, the senior leadership team, as part of the post prioritisation process, are reviewing all vacant posts with a particular focus on services which have extra long waiting times,” said the HSE.

Mr Gould said: “The fact that there is an 80% below budget provision of OT for children is nothing short of scandalous.

“It is welcome that a new OT is to commence in a month’s time but the reality is that this will see 30% of OT posts across adult and children’s service for these areas unfilled,” he said.

“The backlog that has likely built up, thanks to scandalous understaffing, means that these budgeted roles are unlikely to be sufficient now.

“These backlogs often turn relatively minor problems into huge, life-limiting issues that require long, intensive therapies.”

Cork City Partnership to host climate talk in Mayfield

Cork City Partnership will host a climate talk entitled ‘Every Action Matters’ in Mayfield this week.

The talk will include advice on how to control your electricity consumption for sustainable living, the benefits of outdoor play areas, information of community funding for climate actions, tips on reducing waste and plastic usage, as well as how to get active and walk more.

It will be held at The Community House, 79 Glenamoy Lawn, Mayfield on Thursday, April 3 from noon to 1pm, and refreshments will be served.

UCC researchers to give talk on microbiome and gut health

UCC researchers will give a talk at Mayfield Library on Thursday, April 3, at 11am about microbiome (the trillions of bacteria and viruses that live on and in us).

Participants will learn about the role fermented food can play in your overall gut health and its health benefits. The workshop will include practical demonstrations on how to ferment your own food and incorporate it into your daily diet.

The library recently hosted ‘Cork Northside Women and the Fight for Irish Freedom’ to mark International Women’s Day, an illustrated lecture by Anne Twomey which was attended by the 6th class pupils of St Patrick’s Boys and St Patrick’s Girls National Schools, Gardiner’s Hill.

Ms Twomey spoke to 44 children and teachers, sharing things like the adventures of Mary Bowles as she defiantly rode a horse down Patrick Street in 1921 carrying arms and wearing armour.

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