All About Cork: Mounting up for the Field of Dreams Cycle event 

The annual Down Syndrome Cork Field of Dreams Cycle takes place on Sunday, June 8.

This year there are two distances available to those who take part in the cycle: 50km and 100km, and the entry fee is €40.

The 50km route — which is actually 57.4km — sets out from Field of Dreams for Viaduct Hill, out beyond Ballinhassig and Halfway to Crossbarry and on out to Bandon, before turning back for Crossbarry and looping up to Begley’s Forge, over to Killumney, and back to Field of Dreams.

The 100km route — actually 99.49km — heads out from Field of Dreams for Halfway before taking a left turn for Kinsale, down around the Old Head before heading back up to Bandon and around by Crossbarry, Begley’s Forge, Killumney, and home to Field of Dreams.

Aislinn Hurley is a classroom assistant at Field of Dreams and is mother to Caoimhe, who is 12 and has Down syndrome. Aislinn is a keen cyclist who regularly competes in the Tour de Munster and uses the cycle as a training seassion.

“For me the Field of Dreams Cycle is a fabulous SUDS event — Saddle Up For Down Syndrome — which are generally one-day cycles that serve as fundraisers for Down Syndrome Ireland, and it’s a great way to get everyone involved, people of all abilities, with different routes, and a great fun day out without having to get too committed to a long-term training plan,” she said.

“It promises to be a great day out and the essence of it is that it’s an all-inclusive event.”

Registration for the cycle is available through Eventbrite, and the event starts and ends at the Cork Down Syndrome Field of Dreams on the Clash Road in Curraheen.

Participants will be invited to join in a pit-stop along the way, and afterwards for refreshments at the Field of Dreams.

Down Syndrome Cork has asked that their supporters share news of the cycle with all of their friends and cycling clubs.

Built on a three-acre horticultural site on the Clash Road, the Field of Dreams was established in 2017 to meet the ongoing learning needs of adults with Down syndrome from across Cork city and county.

The vision of Field of Dreams is to provide adults with Down syndrome opportunities for ongoing learning and growth.

For some, this will help them to move towards a life of greater independence and self-reliance, and, for others, it will help them towards paid work.

For more information, and to register for theDown Syndrome Cork Field of Dreams Cycle, see https://tinyurl.com/rt8jd7xy. 

Andy Irvine gig in June

Celebrated singer and songwriter Andy Irvine is set to make what has been a long-awaited return to The White Horse for an evening of song and stories in June. He promises to bring his formidable repertoire of Irish traditional songs and dexterous Balkan dance tunes, creating a fusion of Irish and world music not to be missed.

Having travelled the world for decades with bands such as Sweeney’s Men, Patrick Street, Planxty, and more recently, Mozaik, he continues to pursue new combinations and styles of music. He has broadened his musical horizons over the course of his 40-year career to encompass the musical styles of the many countries he visits.

Andy Irvine plays The White Horse in Ballincollig at 8.30pm on Saturday, June 28. See whitehorse.ie.

Events at Ballincollig Library

There are always a number of events happening every month in Ballincollig Library, and several clubs and groups make their home there. With admission free to all, new members are always welcome.

The Tuesday Book Club takes place at 10.30am on the first Tuesday of every month. Ciorcal Cainte is at 11am on the second Wednesday of every month and is open to anyone who would like to try a cupla focail. The Wednesday Book Club takes place at 11am on the last Wednesday of the month. The Ballincollig Active Retirement group meets at 11am every Thursday and Friday morning. Storytime for kids is at 10.30am every Friday morning.

Ballincollig Library is in the Village Centre, P31 H674, and is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

As group meeting times can sometimes change, please check with the library for the most up-to-date times. Email: ballincollig_library@corkcity.ie or tel: 021 2389797 or 021 2389798.

Wilton retirees entertained by Over 60s finalists/ winners

The Cáirde Ladies group in Wilton was recently entertained by winners and finalists of the Over 60s talent competition. The group was established 11 years ago and meets every Tuesday at the Bru Columbanus centre in Midleton, holding various events over the course of the year, including outings and inviting speakers from different organisations to their meetings.

Paddy O’Brien, advocate for the elderly and long-time organiser of the Over 60s competition, said he admired tremendously the work being done by the Cáirde group.

“They’re playing a big role in combatting loneliness for their members. For elderly people, socialising is very important, even to get outside your own door for an hour to meet people,” Mr O’Brien said.

“I started the Over 60s back in 1977 for one reason only, and that was to combat loneliness. Due to the covid pandemic, I had to discontinue, but since then I have formed another over 60s group, and we visit nursing homes and we meet groups like Cáirde, and we entertain the people there for a couple of hours every week.”

Loneliness has become a serious problem for Ireland’s elderly population, Mr O’Brien said, with an estimated 189,000 who live alone.

“I always say to people, there’s only one cure for loneliness, you can’t go to the chemist and get a prescription to deal with loneliness, the only cure is the human touch, and it’s so important that people know that when they’re lonely, what can help is a visit by a friendly face,” Mr O’Brien said. “I congratulate the Wilton group and I would love to see similar groups set up across the city.”

Pyke Theatre Group social

The Pyke Theatre Group’s final monthly social evening before the summer break will be held this evening, Tuesday, May 13, in Ballincollig Rugby Club in Tanner Park. The event will be preceded by a Mass, beginning at 7pm sharp, to remember friends who have passed on over the past year.

After the Mass, a great night’s entertainment is promised, with Donal Ring Jr and the Accordion and Fiddle club, food, and a raffle, all free of charge. If you would like to become a member of the group, please email pyketheatre@gmail.com for further information, or see the group’s Facebook page.

GAA Club weekly lottery

The numbers drawn in last week’s Ballincollig GAA Club lottery, held on Thursday, May 8, were 1, 7, 10, and 36. While there was no winner of the €11,600 jackpot, there were three consolation prize winners, with €100 going to Jerry Ring, €50 to John Winning, and €50 to Gillian O’Brien.

The club has migrated its club lottery to its club platform ClubZap. The new system mirrors the previous one and is played with 36 numbers, and all existing players with remaining credit have been moved across with their same numbers plus their remaining credits. Further details at: ballincolliggaa.clubzap.com.

This Thursday evening’s jackpot now stands at €11,800. For more information, please see the club’s social media pages.

Have Ballincollig and Bishopstown news to share? Contact Donal.okeeffe@theecho.ie