All About Cork: Cllr McCarthy thanks participants on his walking tours

Councillor Kieran McCarthy wishes to thank those who participated in his nine tours for National Heritage Week.

Around 700 people across the week walked with Kieran to learn about local history and heritage in different neighbourhoods of Cork. In particular two of the nine tours had a focus on the history of Douglas with a tour of the old workhouse in St Finbarr’s Hospital and one of Douglas Village in association with Douglas Tidy Towns.

He also held a walking tour of Rochestown at the end of August, which was also very well attended.

Cllr McCarthy noted: “Many thanks to everyone who came out to walk and learn a few nuggets about the city’s historic suburbs neighbourhood.

“It was a long and busy National Heritage Week, but worthwhile when one sees the interest in the varied histories of the city’s neighbourhoods. There was high participation in particular on the Douglas themed tours. There is clearly an ongoing interest in the history of Douglas.

“Giving walking tours for more than 30 years has allowed me to bring people on a journey into the storyboards of the city’s development, but also receive feedback on the wider contexts of what visitors and locals have seen elsewhere.

“Cork is a city packed with historic gems all waiting to be discovered at every street corner.”

Mr McCarthy has already began his September walking tour programme, which can be seen on his heritage website under the tours section at www.corkheritage.ie.

Those tours take in The Lee Fields, Red Abbey to Greenmount, Mahon, Blackpool and the South Parish.

Ashton School honours Leaving Cert students of 2025

Recently Ashton School welcomed back some of the pupils from the 2025 Leaving Certificate year.

They attended the school’s assembly where they were honoured for achieving 500 points or more in their exams last June.

Speaking at the assembly principal Adrian Landen said: “We are delighted to welcome back 23 students from the graduation class of 2025, who all scored 500 or more points in their Leaving Cert exams.

“This incredible achievement is a testament to your hard work and determination, and on behalf of the Ashton student body, I’d like to sincerely congratulate all of you.

“It is inspiring, especially to those doing state exams at the end of the academic year, to see that dedication and consistent efforts truly do pay off.

“You have set an example that encourages others to do their very best, to work hard and take pride in their studies, so that they may also fulfil their potential and achieve great things.

“Once again, congratulations on these well-earned results, and we wish you the very best in your futures.”

Each year the school presents the Pfizer Perpetual Trophy to the Leaving Certificate student with the highest achievement. This year four students received the same CAO points score.

A closer look at the results, which focused on the number of A1 and A2 grades achieved, saw the trophy awarded to Stefany Ibebugwu.

“I acknowledge that not everyone can achieve a score of 600 or 500 points, but excellent results can be and are achieved at all levels - by students who do their best.

“I hope that hearing about the achievement of the class of 2025 and their plans for the coming year has inspired you to have high expectations of what you can achieve and that it will inspire you to go out to do your best whatever that is for you,” concluded Mr Landen.

Last chance to register for adult education night courses

Registration for the adult education night courses at Douglas Community School and Ashton School are now open.

You can register online at dcscork.ie and follow the link to adult education, and for Ashton it’s www.ashtonadulteducation.ie.

A wide variety of classes, from arts and crafts to yoga, golf for beginners, to language classes, African drumming and dressmaking, is on offer at Douglas Community School.

You can enrol online by going to dcscork.ie and following the link to Adult Education.

There are also taking postal enrolments and they can be sent to the Adult Education Office, Douglas Community School, Clermont Avenue, Douglas.

For further enquires you can contact them at: adulted@dcscork.ie, tel. 085 2645142.

The school runs two types of general courses, multi-term and single term courses. Single term courses normally run for 10 weeks and are self-contained.

They are repeated in the following term, but do not progress to higher levels.

The multi-term courses generally continue for three terms to give participants an opportunity to develop their talents.

These courses progress to a higher standard as the year goes on. Participants can join a class for all or one of the terms.

All courses commence during the week commencing on Monday, September 30, unless otherwise stated.

The school also offers reduced fees for OAP’s on application during enrolment, and they also keep a number of places on courses for long-term unemployed, which are free of charge.

These are available by calling to the office, and confidentiality is assured.

At Ashton School, you can also enrol online at www.ashtonadulteducation.ie, using laser or credit card, now.

Postal enrolments are also being accepted and must be sent to Adult Education Office, Ashton School, Blackrock Road, Cork.

Should you have any queries, they can be contacted at tel: (021) 4322382 or by e-mail at: adulted@ashton.ie They are also holding an enrolment night on Wednesday, next September 10, from 7 to 8pm at the school.

Some of the classes the school offers include: Bridge, computers, dressmaking, Spanish for beginners, yoga for beginners and improvers, DIY for women, French for beginners, First Aid, and pilates.

They also classes on Wednesday afternoons and these include dance for Parkinsons, painting in watercolours, yoga for the older adult, and French conversation.

Classes commence on week beginning Monday, September 22, note a week earlier than Douglas Community School. All students must enrol before attending classes.

Early registration is encouraged.

Have Douglas news to share? Contact rory.noonan@theecho.ie