All About Cork: Cork dance school second in the world championships

A Mayfield and Glanmire Irish dance school is celebrating after coming second in their category at the Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne 2025.

The world championships took place in Dublin last weekend, and a group of 16 dancers from the McCarthy-Hegarty School of Irish Dancing finished second in the senior ladies’ figure competition.

Mary McCarthy, director of the school, told The Echo: “It was the world Irish dancing championship competition, so there were people from all over the world, from the west coast of America right over to Australia.

“It was our first time entering a figure competition, so we had Richard Griffin, the choreographer, come over from London to work with us for the last year and a half, so there’s been a lot of work, a lot of hours put in to it,” said Ms McCarthy.

“The girls were thrilled to receive second place; there was great excitement. It was up in Dublin, at the convention centre, so the setting was just fantastic. I’m extremely proud. Everyone worked so hard, came together as a team; it was such a special moment.”

As well as the 16 girls in the figure team, there were also soloists.

“It was the senior ladies’ category, so over 16s. The oldest in the team was 24, and a lot of them have been dancing with me since they were five years of age,” said Ms McCarthy.

“I’m 31 years teaching in the school, and I have another teacher, Lynn Hegarty, who herself danced with me since she was a child, so, between the two of us, we do classes Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and then Sunday is our figure day.

“Next up, we’ll be performing in the Opera House on May 29; every dancer in the school will be performing in the show, so it’s a big event for us.”

The school starts with beginner classes for those age four and goes right up to the 20s, and its dancers have travelled all around Europe, performing in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, and Croatia for festivals, and also competing regularly and doing grade exams.

Their next term is to start in September, but the school takes sign-ups any time. Contact Mary at 087 959 7825 or email mccarthyhegarty@gmail.com.

Talent show a success

A Mayfield club was among those from across the country to take part in No Name’s Got Talent 2025 on Saturday, April 26, at the Dean Crowe Theatre in Athlone.

No Name Club, a national, voluntary youth organisation, provides young people with a safe, alcohol-free space to socialise. Their annual talent show is one of the No Name Club’s biggest and most anticipated events.

Jake Costin, from No Name Club St Joseph’s Mayfield, performed Travelin’ Soldier, by The Chicks, and the judges praised his “unreal charisma”.

Garrett Keenaghan, No Name Club chairperson, said: “It’s so heartening to see the talent on show from our young people. The level of effort, organisation, and team work that we’ve seen here is just fantastic.”

Mayor to open astroturf pitch

The Lord Mayor of Cork Dan Boyle will today, at 1.30pm, turn the sod on the €200,000 astroturf and ball wall development at Brian Dillon’s GAA Grounds in the Tank Field, Murmont Rd.

The club have held numerous fundraisers so far, and, after the sod turning, Mr Boyle will launch a fundraising walk that has already brought in more than €35,000.

A spokesperson said the new development will be a very important asset to the club, which now has 200 children training on Saturday mornings, and has already sold out its Cúl Camp for August.

“Over the last number of years, our numbers at underage and camogie sections have increased, and this development has come at the perfect time for the club, with the future looking very bright,” said the spokesperson.

“In recent weeks, there has been some outstanding community spirit around the locality, with support for the fundraising walk and the new development.”

Ukulele course

Mayfield community adult learning project will be running a free ukulele taster course for adults from Wednesday, June 4.

It will run for four sessions, from 10am to noon, at the Mayfield CDP Community Resource Centre. If you have your own ukulele, bring it, but the organisers will also have some available to use.

You can book a place by ringing Mayfield CALP on 021 450 8562 or emailing mayfieldcalp1@outlook.com.

Darkness Into Light walk

This coming Saturday, May 10, the people of Cork’s northside are invited to join together for the 2025 Darkness Into Light walk.

Beginning at 4am, at the Glen GAA Club, the event will raise awareness and funds for Pieta House.

Donations will help raise funds so that Pieta can continue its vital work of raising awareness about suicide and self-harm and reach those in need 24/7.

Fr Charlie Kiely, who is the parish priest of Mayfield, said: “I look forward to walking from darkness into the light with you again this year — it is a great community event, bringing together people of all ages to support those who need our help.”

Last year, 400 people from The Glen, Ballyvolane, Mayfield, Montenotte, Blackpool, and surrounding areas participated in the walk, raising in excess of €25,000 for Pieta House.

Walk organiser Mary Newman explained that the walk will be a little different this year.

“This year, we have created two routes within the one route, offering a user-friendly route for those who prefer to take a shorter walk, so enabling more people to participate.”

The final planning meeting will be at The Glen GAA Club this coming Tuesday, May 6, at 6.30pm.

Volunteers, helpers, and stewards are still needed — all are welcome, and help will be greatly appreciated.

Local Labour councillor John Maher, who is a member of the organising committee, said: “I look forward to sharing the sunrise moment with many neighbours from the northside for this great cause. I encourage as many of you as possible to sign up for the walk at www.darknessintolight.ie or come along on the morning at 4am and registration will still be open.”

Stephanie Manahan, Pieta House CEO, added: “The funds we raise each year through Darkness into Light are essential in sustaining Pieta’s free, professional, and accessible support services.

“Every life-saving conversation, every life-saving counselling session, and every moment of suicide and self-harm prevention we provide, is made possible by the generosity of those who sign up, show up, and walk.”

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