All About Cork: €30k to promote physical activity among older people

Organisations in the greater Carrigaline and Crosshaven areas are among almost 100 groups from across Cork to share in an almost €30,000 windfall to fund sports and physical activity for older people.

The funding is part of a national initiative under the auspices of the age and opportunity active national grant scheme, funded by Sport Ireland, and delivered with the support of the HSE and local sports partnerships.

The scheme will see €300,000 in funding allocated to 988 groups across the country. These include active retirement groups, ICAs, men’s/women’s sheds, physical activity leaders, care settings, and a range of other sports and social groups.

The local groups to benefit under the scheme are Carrigaline Badminton, Carrigaline Men’s Shed, Carrigaline Tennis Club, and Crosshaven Active Retired.

Every year, around 32,000 older people take part in physical activity funded by the grant scheme.

Activities include pickleball, aqua aerobics, rowing, dancing, cycling, bowling, self-defence, walking hockey, tai chi, walking, and weight-lifting.

Announcing the funding, minister of state for sport Charlie McConalogue said the continued collaboration between Sport Ireland and such organisations “plays a vital part” in his department’s ongoing commitment to create opportunities in people’s everyday lives to exercise more.

“By financially supporting organisations to buy equipment and host activities specifically designed for older people, the grant helps them reap the health benefits of being active,” he said.

Sport Ireland chief executive officer Una May said that being active is the key to healthy ageing.

“We know from the Irish Sport Monitor report that participation levels among older people are on the rise so it’s important that there are opportunities for people over the age of 50 to be involved in a variety of sports,” she said.

“It makes a real difference in our communities.”

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Festival lines up four days of music and community spirit

The Carrigaline Arts and Culture Centre Summer Music Festival will kick off on Thursday, June 19, for four days of music, connection and community spirit.

The first day of the festival will see a Music Marathon take place at the Carrigaline Court Hotel from 10am to 10pm, featuring talented local musicians, singers, and dancers of all ages who will take to the stage to raise funds through sponsorships.

On Friday, June 20, The Power of Music will feature a full day of talks, workshops and jam sessions exploring music therapy in the Carrigaline Library.

Topics to come under the spotlight will include:

What is Music Therapy?

Workshops for neurodiverse children

Talk on Neurologic Music Therapy, for acquired brain injuries and neurodegenerative conditions.

Teen Songwriting Workshop (ages 14–17)

 Community Jam Sessions, open to all, instruments provided!

 Kids’ Jam Session, all ages welcome – 45 minutes of fun!

Saturday, June 21, is Festival Concert Night at the Carrigaline Court Hotel in collaboration with Carrigaline Lions Club, featuring headliners The Frank and Walters, and brilliant support acts for what promises too be a night to remember. Tickets priced at €35 from The Carrigaline Court Hotel and eventbrite.ie.

The final day of festival will include a demonstration of Hispanic dance, with people given the chance to join in. Finally, a ‘swap and play’ event will cerebrate the Toy Library of Ireland’s first anniversary. All toys will be free, with people encouraged to bring their own pre-loved toys.

More details about the Summer Music Festival to follow closer to the event.

Crosshaven RNLI’s lifeboat operations manager retires

Patsy Fegan has retired from his volunteer role with Crosshaven RNLI after more than two decades of service.

In a post on social media, Crosshaven RNLI said: “The volunteers at Crosshaven RNLI, the operations team, the lifeboat crew, the sea safety team, and the fundraising team all wish Patsy a very happy retirement, and thank him for his many years of selfless volunteering.”

Mr Fegan’s role, along with other launch authorities, was to receive and authorise requests to launch from the Coast Guard to incidents, supervise the physical launch of the lifeboat, and in some cases, decide on the appropriate crew depending on the type of incident.

In 2016, upon the retirement of the previous lifeboat operations manager, Alan Barton, Patsy took on the role of volunteer lifeboat operations manager. This role involved all aspects of running a lifeboat station, from the basics of keeping the station clean and operational, to making sure the lifeboat crews training was up to date.

“Lifeboat crews often have to deal with traumatic incidents and it was part of the role to make sure of the crews mental wellbeing after such events and if necessary refer them onwards to trained councillors. The role is as varied, as it is demanding,” said the social media post.

Fire brigade hiring

Cork County Council is seeking applications from eligible people living and working within the Crosshaven area to join the local fire brigade.

In a post on social media, Cork County Fire Service said the local authority is on the lookout for “passionate individuals to become retained (on-call) firefighters at the Crosshaven station.

On their Facebook page, Crosshaven Fire and Rescue said they are “delighted to be hiring”.

“Delighted to announce we are recruiting! New pay and conditions, where you are only required to be on call 50% of the year. We are now operating a week on/week off roster, but of course other rosters of 50/50 are available,” they said.

“Full training provided with most of our courses QQI accredited.”

For more details, application forms, and terms and conditions see yourcouncil.ie, or contact Crosshaven Fire and Rescue on 085 800 0423.

“We would be delighted to guide you through the process,” they said.

All welcome at Carrigaline AGM

Carrigaline Community Association will hold its AGM in the Carrigaline Community Complex at 8pm on Monday, May 12.

The association has issued an open invitation to all Carrigaline residents to attend the meeting.

“This is you opportunity to have a voice in you community. Support your community,” they said.

Happy Vibes summer camp

The Carrigaline Community Complex will hold its Happy Vibes Summer Camp from July 7-11.

Activities will include yoga, mindfulness, crafts, and outdoor activities.

“Perfect for kids who love nature, creativity, exploring movements, and moments of calm,” said a spokesperson. “Spaces are limited — book your spot today. Book via Eventbrite or call/WhatsApp Lorraine on 087 431 2083.”

Have Carrigaline and Crosshaven news? Contact bill.browne@theecho.ie