All About Cork: Annual Knock pilgrimage hailed as a great success

The annual Carrigaline pilgrimage to Knock, Ireland’s International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine, was once again a great success.

The coach left the church on schedule on Saturday, June 28, at 8am. Fr James Mc Sweeney co-PP was there to see it off and give the pilgrimage his blessing. Spiritual director for the pilgrimage was Fr Liam Brady SMA, an accomplished musician and singer, who led them in prayer and the singing of hymns on the journey.

Participants stopped at The Inn at Dromoland, arriving in Knock shortly before lunchtime. After booking in to the Knock House Hotel there was a free afternoon. Many attended the ceremonies, joining crowds from all over Ireland and abroad for the Vocations Society of St Joseph (formerly St Joseph’s Young Priest Society) pilgrimage day. Bishop of Derry, Bishop Donal McKeown, was the chief celebrant with four other bishops in attendance, including Archbishop Donal Neary, retired Bishop of Tuam. Many went to confession, visited the other chapels, attended guided prayer, got mass cards, lit candles and prayed for all who asked for prayers.

Following dinner on Saturday evening all were free to go around the shrine or for a walk, with several people attending the Adoration in the Apparition Chapel, finishing the day enjoying the entertainment in the hotel.

Following Sunday breakfast the charismatic Fr Liam attracted many others outside the Carrigaline group for the outdoor stations of the cross at noon. Sunday was the annual Franciscan pilgrimage day with the ceremonies starting in the Basilica with the rosary at 2pm, blessing of the sick at 2.30pm and Mass at 3pm.

The weather was fine so the outdoor procession took place, concluding with the final blessing and blessing of religious objects.

All were back on board the coach and ready to leave by 5pm, with a stop off at the Inn in Dromoland for dinner. The pilgrims prayed more rosaries and sang hymns on the journey home as far as Charleville then had a sing song until they were back in Carrigaline at 10.30pm after a fulfilling and prayerful weekend.

Communites combine to enjoy Basant Festival in Carrigaline

Enter garden competition

Carrigaline Tidy Towns has extended the closing date to today, Friday, July 11, for entries for the confined local Tidy Town garden competitions.

Entries are welcome in the following categories: Private Front and Back Gardens; Container Garden; Colourful Garden; Town Garden; Large and Small Summer Garden; Wildflower Garden; Best Innovative/Upcycling Garden, and Pollination-Friendly Garden.

They also have a Best kept Business Front, and Best Estate competition.

A spokeperson encouraged people to enter. “We are thrilled to invite you to participate in the Carrigaline Tidy Towns’ annual Competition.

“Whether you’ve nurtured a cozy container garden, a vibrant cottage garden, or a fairy garden, we want to celebrate the beauty you’ve crafted! We can’t wait to admire your creations.”

Gardens will be evaluated in July and August.

This local competition welcomes all gardens within the 50km speed limit of Carrigaline. Email them at carrigalinett@gmail.com

Cork RNLI volunteer takes to pitch at Croker

RNLI volunteers from across Ireland took to the pitch ahead of the Cork v Dublin All-Ireland senior hurling championship semi-final at Croke Park last weekend, to promote the charity’s water safety partnership with the GAA. The partnership aims to reduce the number of people who lose their lives through drowning each year.

Among those present was Michael Livingstone from Crosshaven RNLI. who said the partnership between the RNLI and the GAA, highlighted volunteerism and the importance of communities.

“It is always a privilege for volunteers, to be invited to Croke Park on such a big day in the GAA’s championship calendar and to have the opportunity to promote water safety,” he said.

“We are now in peak summer season and one of the key messages we want people to know is that if you get into difficulty in the water this summer, Float to Live. Tilt your head back with ears submerged. Relax and try to control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat.

“It’s ok if your legs sink, we all float differently. Once you are through this initial shock, call for help or swim to safety if you can.

“Should you see someone else in difficulty, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”

Work on cycle lane

Work on the construction of the new footbridge and cycle lane at the Sail garden in Carrigaline has meant that some footpaths had to be closed and there are extra pedestrian crossings on all sides of the Lidl roundabout so motorists and pedestrians need to be much more vigilant while the works are being done.

Festival prizes not claimed

A number of raffle prizes at the Summer Festival have not been claimed yet. If you still have your tickets please check your numbers: Yellow 195, Pink 6-10, white/green border 341, Blue 475, Yellow 6, and yellow 115.

Contact 089 947 4373.

Men’s Shed outing

The Carrigaline Men’s Shed has a full day’s outing to Caherciveen and Valentia organised for Tuesday, July 15.

New members are always welcome, contact Roger Morrissey 087 2203547.

Active Retired singalong

Carrigaline Active Retired recently finished up for the summer with a singalong with tea and some nice cakes, thanks to their tea ladies. CARA will be back in action again from Thursday, September 4, at the Carrigaline Community Complex from 2.30pm.

Annual visit to Ronóg’s Well

Pilgrims who attended the annual visit to Ronóg’s Well on the eve of the Feast of St John, walked in procession from the entrance on the Ballinrea Road led by Cross bearer Thos Maye and members of the Carrigaline Pipe Band. Others arrived from local housing estates and the Ballea Road entrance.

Monsignor Aidan O’Driscoll co PP, VG, welcomed everybody including Brother David O’Donnell and recited the Rosary as he did the rounds of the Well.

To conclude the ceremonies Benediction was imparted, followed by the congregation singing hymns led by Sinead Murphy and Pat Daly. Thos Maye, whose family lived by the well for a number of years, gave a short address. The ceremony concluded with the pipers playing and all singing Faith of Our Fathers