All About Cork: Lord Mayor launches Shandon Integrated Urban Strategy

Open day at centre

Blackpool Community Centre is gearing up to showcase all that is great about it and showcase its fantastic breadth of activities and groups.

‘Open Day at Blackpool Community Centre’ will take place on Wednesday, from 12- 2pm. The event is part of the Lifelong Learning Festival.

A spokesperson said: “An exhibition [will take place] of all the wonderful activities we host and do in the Centre, such as the Over 60s Club, youth club, yoga, citizens information centre, regeneration group, men’s shed, knitting class, computer classes and much more.”

The centre is also home scores of local groups that are active in the local area and has a wide range of classes across it’s Monday to Friday opening hours. For information see: www.facebook.com/BlackpoolCommunityCentre2023/

Artists chance to show work

Two theatres are teaming up to give young artists an opportunity to showcase their work.

Are you an early-career theatre artist or theatre company based in Cork?

Do you have a production in development or an idea brewing?

You may be eligible to apply for CATALYST – a collaboration between Cork Arts Theatre and The Everyman, which aims to provide a platform for the work of early career theatre artists in the city, and an opportunity for them to develop their practice in a professional context. Applications require an email to outline the proposed work, including CVs of any artists attached to the project, as well as a draft budget to catalyst@corkartstheatre.com The closing date is Thursday, April 24, at 6pm. In 2024, the winners presented their work on stage at the CAT club. The first production featured Amber Deasy’s new play, ‘The Dream Can’t Wait’, with actors Imogen Deasy and Jack O’Shaughnessy, while the second featured Mollie Savage & Ben Holman in their production of ‘Eurydice’.

Council launch Shandon Integrated Urban Strategy

Cork City Council has launched the Shandon Integrated Urban Strategy (IUS), an action-based roadmap for the sustainable and heritage led regeneration of the Shandon area over the coming years. The IUS was drafted in partnership with the Shandon Neighbourhood Team and Consultancy Team, and followed extensive consultation including two consultation events, an online survey, and targeted engagements with local businesses, schools and community groups.

Lord Mayor Dan Boyle said: “The Shandon Integrated Urban Strategy represents a significant milestone for our city. This strategy puts forward Shandon’s wealth of heritage as an asset in its future growth and development. The coming together of the various participants with their shared knowledge and passion or the area has been instrumental in ensuring a citizen led strategy for the whole community going forwards’ The Shandon IUS identifies 36 actions under the four themes of Heritage, Living Neighbourhood & Climate Resilience, Community & Arts and Business & Tourism. The actions range from small to larger scale interventions which can be progressed by a number of identified stakeholders including Cork City Council directorates, public sector bodies, community groups and associations, charitable organisations and business groups. Successful implementation will rely on continued community support and action, Cork City Council leadership, several funding streams and sustained private investment.

Amongst the actions set out in the Shandon IUS, are several strategic regeneration proposals which emerged as priorities through the consultation process: The Butter Market and Weighmaster’s House Complex; St Anne’s Church and Dr Mary Hearn Parks; The Revitalisation of Shandon Street.

Chief executive of Cork City Council, Valerie O’Sullivan, said: “The strategy will be utilised as a resource for all stakeholders and to support funding applications for the actions identified in order to deliver tangible results over the coming years. We look forward to working in partnership to drive the development of Shandon and build it as a destination of choice with wide-ranging appeal for residents and visitors alike.”

The strategy has been delivered through the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme (THRIVE) Strand 1. The Shandon IUS is available to view on Cork City Council’s website at https://www.corkcity.ie/en/council-services/services/planning/thrive/

History talk on Wednesday

Shandon Area History Group will hold a history talk on Wednesday in Coffa House at 7.30pm.

The subject is William O’Brien M.P. and the speaker on the night is Ger O’Rourke, author and historian. All are welcome to attend.

Courtesy visit to bishop

The Lord Mayor of Cork recently paid a courtesy visit to Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross at the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne. The Lord Mayor was accompanied by Brian Geaney, assistant chief executive, Cork City Council. Also present was Canon John O’Donovan, Co-PP and moderator of the Cathedral Family of Parishes.

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