All About Cork: The Rock Community Centre documentary screening

Floodlights switched on at Blackpool Community Centre

Lord Mayor of Cork Dan Boyle recently switched on the new pitch floodlights at Blackpool Community Centre.

Administrator at the community centre Tony Holton told The Echo that the new lights are the result of an investment of more than €6,000 by the community centre “to ensure the astro turf pitches at the rear of the community centre could be fully utilised by the community, allowing groups to use the facilities well into the evenings, especially during winter months”.

“It is currently used by Blackpool Youth club, a local pre-school, Blarney Utd under-12s football team and the Roma integration group, as well as various summer schemes for young people. It consists of two pitches, each with goal posts and coaching accessories. It was used last year for a family fun day, where many young people got involved in sports and family games.

“The new LED floodlights will be a great asset to the centre and will hopefully attract new groups to the complex.

“The launch was attended by board members of the community centre and local councillors. The Tómas MacCurtain Pipe Band played as the Lord Mayor entered the complex and later entertained the large crowd in attendance. Thankfully, the weather was good and people were able to attend the event despite adverse weather warnings.”

Shandon fundraising concert

A ‘Sing For Shandon’ fundraising concert for St Anne’s Church and its historic bell tower will take place on Friday, May 16, at 7pm.

The City of Cork Male Voice Choir and the Newtown and District Male Voice Choir (Wales) will perform.

Tickets, €20 are available online at tinyurl.com/2yd8pmp5 or in person at St Anne’s Church from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday.

Mass for Pope Francis

Cork’s Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne drew people from across the city and beyond to pray at Mass for Pope Francis.

The special solemn Mass was held on Friday evening and was celebrated by Bishop Fintan Gavin and concelebrated by priests from parishes, religious orders, and chaplaincies.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Dan Boyle and the Mayor of County Cork councillor Joe Carroll were present and brought forward the offertory gifts during the Mass.

Bishop Fintan said that he was fortunate to have met Pope Francis several times.

“Reflecting on this in recent days I am struck by the fact that Pope Francis always finished those encounters with the same request ‘Prega per me, Pregate per me’ — Pray for me, Pray for me.

“That is exactly what we are doing here this evening — we are praying for Pope Francis as he goes home to the house of the Father. We pray for the response of his soul and commend him to the mercy of God which was such a central theme during his pontificate.”

The Mass at the Cathedral was one of several Masses in churches across the diocese for Pope Francis.

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