All About Cork: Call to make Ballincollig an autism-friendly town

A member of Cork City Council has called for Ballincollig to begin the journey toward becoming an officially recognised autism-friendly town, following a direct appeal from a local resident and parent.

Colm Kelleher, who is a Fianna Fáil councillor based in the Cork city south-west ward, said he had received the proposal from a Ballincollig-based teacher who is the mother of an autistic child.

Mr Kelleher told The Echo that the woman is already actively engaging with local businesses and community groups to explore how Ballincollig can follow in the footsteps of towns like Clonakilty and Blarney — both of which have recently achieved autism-friendly status.

“I was approached by a local resident who is passionate about making Ballincollig a more inclusive and accessible place for all,” Mr Kelleher said.

“Her commitment to the wellbeing of her child and the wider community is inspiring, and I believe this is an initiative that Ballincollig should fully embrace.”

In response to that approach, Mr Kelleher has submitted a motion to Cork City Council, calling on the local authority to engage with relevant stakeholders – among them families, businesses, schools, and advocacy organisations — to initiate the steps required to make Ballincollig an autism-friendly town.

“We are already seeing promising signs locally, such as autism-friendly shopping hours in SuperValu and Dunnes, and visual supports installed at the playground in the Regional Park,” he said.

“However, we now need a coordinated and committed effort from Cork City Council, in partnership with the community, to bring this initiative to life.”

Mr Kelleher said he was of the opinion that the time was right to formalise Ballincollig’s ambition to be a leader in inclusivity within Cork city.

“This isn’t just about labels — it’s about action,” he said.

“We have a strong, vibrant community in Ballincollig, and we must ensure it is welcoming and supportive of everyone.

“I am calling on Cork City Council, local organisations, and residents to work together to make this vision a reality.”

Iris House coffee morning

This Friday, Ballincollig Family Resource Centre will host a fundraising coffee morning in aid of Iris House Cork Cancer Support.

The charity, which provides care to people affected by cancer, is raising funds to purchase the building from which it operates, 26 St Paul’s Avenue, as it has been put up for sale. The charity hopes to raise €300,000.

Previously known as Cork Cancer Care Centre, the centre rebranded as Iris House Cork Cancer Support.

Linda Goggin-James, CEO of Iris House, told The Echo that moving was not an option, as Iris House had become a “haven” for thousands of people over the past 13 years.

The coffee morning will take place between 10am and midday on Friday, July 11, at Ballincollig Family Resource Centre, on Station Rd.

Tidy Towns volunteers sought

Bishopstown Tidy Towns is seeking new volunteers to help out in tidying up the area every Saturday morning. First established in 2016, the group has been entering the Supervalu TidyTowns competition since then. Membership is open to all residents in the Bishopstown, Wilton, part of Glasheen and the Model Farm Road areas.

The group currently has approximately 68 volunteers, and from that it has a regular core of about 20. Volunteers are always needed and there is a warm welcome to all new members.

The Tidy Towns volunteers are split in to three teams, covering litter, the community garden, and general maintenance and project work teams.

Bishopstown Tidy Towns meets at 9.30am every Saturday at The Outpost car park, Curraheen Rd, Glasheen, Cork, T12 K163. Most Saturday mornings the volunteers work for about two hours, then gather for refreshments.

The group can be contacted on its Facebook page, by email at bishopstowntidytown@gmail.com, or at 083 4077781.

First graduation celebration at Gaelscoil an Chaisleáin

Ballincollig’s Gaelscoil an Chaisleáin recently hosted a graduation ceremony for the school’s first group of sixth class pupils. The class was the first group to commence its primary education in this new, multi-denominational gaelscoil under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta.

The school opened its doors for the first time in August 2017, beginning a new chapter for Ballincollig and for 19 enthusiastic junior infants.

Mick Hanly at White Horse

Next month, Limerick-born singer and songwriter, Mick Hanly, will play Ballincollig alongside fellow Moving Hearts members Anto Drennan and Eoghan O’Neill.

Starting out as a wages clerk in the ESB in Galway, Mick Hanly’s love of music soon led him to quit his job and embark on a career that would last a lifetime. After discovering folk music through Seán Ó Riada and the playing of Clare uilleann piper Willie Clancy, Mr Hanly began performing Woody Guthrie and Paul Simon material.

Regarded as one of Ireland’s best songwriters, his songs have been covered by luminaries such as Mary Black, Christy Moore, and Dolores Keane.

Joining Mr Hanly in Ballincollig will be musicians Anto Drennan and Eoghan O’Neill.

Mr Drennan has played with recording artists as varied as Mike and The Mechanics, The Corrs, Clannad, Paul Brady, and Moving Hearts.

Mr O’Neill is a founding member of Moving Hearts, and he has played on most of Mr Hanly’s albums. He has also toured with Chris Rea, and Celtic Woman, and he served as musical director with Riverdance.

As frontman, Mr Hanly will provide the stories and songs in his own inimitable style, while his threesome produces a show full of great sounds and entertainment.

Mick Hanly and friends play The White Horse Inn at 8.30pm on Saturday, August 23. For booking details and further information, see whitehorse.ie

MTU students in the frame for graduation exhibition

GAA Club weekly lottery

The numbers drawn in the Ballincollig GAA Club lottery on Thursday, June 26, were 4, 7, 26, and 29. There was no winner of the €13,000 jackpot, but there were three consolation prize winners, with €100 going to Caroline Fay, €50 to Sharon Darby, and €50 to Eileen Hanley.

Last Thursday, July 3, the numbers drawn were 1, 4, 7, and 13. There was no winner of the €13,200 jackpot, but there were three consolation prize winners, with €100 going to Claire Miskella, €50 to Alan Donovan, and €50 to Rory Galvin.

The club has migrated its 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, see
ballincolliggaa.clubzap.com for more.

This Thursday evening’s draw will be held in the clubhouse, with the jackpot now standing at €13,400.