'The biggest asset we have is the people we represent': Documentary on group that serves one of Cork city's oldest communities to be shown

The Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Dan Boyle, will launch a documentary film on Saturday morning celebrating almost half a century of a local group that represents one of the city’s oldest communities.

At 10am, Mr Boyle will visit the Rock Community Centre, located at the Rock Steps, Blarney St, home to the Blarney St and Surrounding Areas Community Association.

Mr Boyle will launch the documentary, which looks at the history of the community association through its first 45 years.

Local independent filmmakers Emma Coleman and Michael Carey recently visited the centre to interview local people who have been involved throughout the years for a documentary.

Ms Coleman’s grandfather, Tom, is the chairman and a founding member of the community association, and he gave The Echo a brief synopsis of its early development.

“It all started in 1979 at a public meeting in Blarney St CBS, and it was overwhelmingly agreed that we would pursue the forming of a community association,” said Mr Coleman

“At that stage, the St Mary of the Rock school was idle, derelict, and falling in to disrepair, and, as I like to say, we had the bird, but we had no cage, we had no focal point for the community in the area, so we decided we would pursue that property first and foremost to give us a home,” he added.

“The association was actually formed in 1980, with myself, Bill Ramsell, and Alan McGregor (RIP) as founding members, and Bernard Allen (RIP) and Jim Kenneally (RIP) were both brought on as two trustees, as Cork City Council representatives, and they were always so very supportive of us.”

Purchasing the school from the diocese of Cork and Ross for £35,000, the association secured the home and focal point it retains to this day.

Mr Coleman said that the association would be nothing without the locals who continue to make it what it is.

“The biggest asset we have is the people we represent.

“We should never forget the effort they made and the support given,” he said.

Mr Coleman said the film is around 45 minutes in length, and while the event is open to the public, it is invitation only, with all former and current members of the community association welcome.

The Rock Community Centre is located at the Rock Steps, Blarney St, T23 WA22.