Lord Mayor's Diary: What a week for Cork! Filled with pride, progress, and spirit

What a week to be Lord Mayor of Cork! The city has been buzzing with energy, colour, and community spirit, showcasing the very best of who we are.

Saturday was truly unforgettable. I had the privilege of travelling to Croke Park to witness Cork’s hurlers deliver a comprehensive and commanding win over Dublin in the All-Ireland Hurling semi-final.

The atmosphere was electric, from mingling with Cork supporters before the throw-in to celebrating with them after the final whistle.

There’s a real sense of momentum building ahead of the All-Ireland final clash against Tipperary on the July 20, and you can feel the excitement in every corner of the city. Up the Rebels!

Cork Super Cup

This week, we also welcomed a huge crowd to Cork for the Cork Super Cup fixture between Celtic FC and Cork City FC. I was honoured to host a reception for both clubs ahead of the game at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. 

With almost 30,000 fans descending on the city, the place was alive with a carnival atmosphere and the event was a tremendous economic boost for local businesses.

The pride in Cork was matched only by the sense of celebration on our streets.

On Thursday, I attended the Friendly Call Tea Party, a heart-warming event organised by Cork City Partnership. This incredible service combats loneliness by connecting older and vulnerable people with kind, consistent volunteers.

It was a joy to meet the callers, volunteers and participants who make this Cork service so special.

The week also included the Cork Sports Athletics Meet at the magnificent MTU track, which brought together elite athletes from across the globe and highlighted our own future Olympians and world-class competitors. Cork continues to punch above its weight on the sporting stage, and I left inspired by the talent and dedication on show.

 Congratulations to the dedicated committee in organising a seamless event, supported by a huge audience. Another stand-out moment was opening the ‘Place of Peace’ on Pope’s Quay, an extraordinary collaborative project led by artist Davey Dummigan, in partnership with the local community and Liam from Myo Café. It’s a powerful, reflective space that invites peace, calm and connection.

Mother Jones Festival

On Friday, I had the honour of officially launching the Mother Jones Festival, a wonderful celebration of the life and legacy of Mary Harris, the Cork-born labour activist who became a force for justice in America. Her story continues to inspire and resonates deeply in the city of her birth.

Finally, I had the pleasure of being present for the first tee at the Rainbow Club Golf Classic, supporting a remarkable organisation that provides vital services to children and families living with autism.

A busy week - but one filled with pride, progress, and the incredible spirit of Cork.