All About Cork: €100k overhaul of Mahon Community Centre car park

Works are set to get underway at Mahon Community Centre’s car park this month as part of the final phase of the Mahon street renewal scheme.

Fianna Fáil councillor for the Cork City South East ward, Terry Shannon, told The Echo that works at the car park will cost around €100,000 and will involve “a complete overhaul”.

Upgrade works at the car park include the laying of new foundations, resurfacing, new drainage, landscaping, painting, and a reconfiguration of the parking layout.

“The car park off Avenue De Rennes, which services the Mahon Community Centre and all the commercial units, has been in a state of disrepair for many years,” said Mr Shannon.

He said he got the potholes filled last year “because it’s been a nightmare for the public, and now with the new building next door, something had to be done”.

“The Mahon public realm project is coming to an end shortly and, normally, we would have money left over for a snag list.

“I have gone back and forth with the engineers at Cork City Council and they have agreed to my suggestion to do a complete upgrade of the car park at the community centre.

“It’s going to cost approximately €100,000 for a complete overhaul, for what has been a bit of an eyesore for years.

“For years it’s been full of potholes, it’s a health and safety issue [so] this is a welcome development, it’ll clean up and brighten up the area.

“What will happen is contractors will go in, dig the place up, and put in new foundations, new surfaces, new drains, and then it’ll be freshly lined for car parking spaces with some disabled bays, and some new trees and landscaping.”

Mr Shannon said that, as part of the Mahon street renewal scheme, the council has completed all footpaths in the area, as well as 20 new bus shelters, a car park for the Ringmahon Rangers club, extra car parking for the church, a car park for the primary school in Avenue De Rennes, and 200 new mature trees.

“We’ve upgraded everywhere around [the community centre car park], so I’m obviously very happy they have agreed to my suggestion and that it will be happening in the next couple of weeks.

“I’ve spoken to the various clubs in the community centre, and the community association, and they are all thrilled to bits that this is happening after years of trying.

“The works are due to be done in September and this will be the final piece of the jigsaw in terms of the whole Mahon enhancement scheme.”

Call to expand bike scheme

A Cork City South East councillor has called for a “vital” expansion of the Transport for Ireland (TFI) public bike scheme as a review of the current system is underway.

Labour Party councillor and chair of the Cork City Transport Committee, Peter Horgan, has called on the National Transport Authority (NTA) to prioritise the South East ward in its expansion plans for the scheme.

Figures released to Mr Horgan by the NTA showed that there were 116,009 bike trips taken in Cork in 2022, which increased to 150,293 in 2023.

Mr Horgan said that a 30% increase in trips taken in Cork during this timeframe is “a testament that the scheme is performing strongly”.

“We now need to see the expansion happen, [because] we’ve been calling for this since 2018,” said Mr Horgan.

“What is critical is the expansion of the scheme southside towards Blackrock and Mahon and out to Douglas and Rochestown, creating a triangle of its own bike network that also subs into the city.”

Road safety a concern

Green Party councillor for the South East ward, Honore Kamegni, has called on Cork City Council to improve street safety for residents of Ballintemple’s Hibernian Buildings.

Mr Kamegni submitted a motion this week, urging the council to work directly with residents of the Hibernian Buildings on Albert Rd to develop a traffic management plan. The motion calls on the council to eliminate through-traffic from the residential area by exploring new safety measures such as filtered permeability from the Victoria Rd roundabout, converting the street to a two-way system, or reversing the current one-way flow from East-to-West to West-to-East.

Mr Kamegni is also asking the council to advance the implementation of a 30km/h speed zone for the area, ensuring “a safer environment for residents, pedestrians, and cyclists”.

Rainbow Club Masquerade Ball returns for 13th year

The Rainbow Club Cork’s annual masquerade ball will return for its 13th year next month.

The event, which first launched in 2012, is a fundraising initiative which aims to benefit the Mahon-based service.

Organisers have said that this year marks “a very special” occasion, as the event will also celebrate a decade of the Rainbow Club in Cork, which has seen the service grow from 26 weekly members to 1,300 weekly members.

The event will feature a three course meal, live music from Route 66, and a prize raffle.

The ball is set to take place on October 11 at the Carrigaline Court Hotel, with tickets on sale from €75 per person.

For more information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/m7uvet5d.

Missing Cat

Reminder to register to vote

Labour Party councillor for the Cork City South East ward, Peter Horgan, is calling on people across Mahon and Blackrock to register to vote in the presidential election.

In a post shared on social media, Mr Horgan highlighted how the chance to vote in the presidential election, taking place on October 24, will close on October 7.

“Applications for inclusion on the Register of Electors, whether online or by hard copy, must be received by Tuesday, October 7,” said Mr Horgan.

“Applications for postal and special votes must be received by Monday, September 29.

“Only Irish citizens can vote in the Presidential Election, [and] those who have recently become Irish by way of naturalisation, can update same by submitting an ERF1 update form.”

For more information, visit: https://www. checktheregister.ie/en-IE/.

Club in ‘slow down’ appeal

A representative for the Ringmahon Rangers Football Club is reminding patrons to “slow down” when entering the grounds of the facility.

In a post shared on social media, a spokeserson for the club, situated on the Ringmahon Rd, reminded parents and guardians that there is a 5kmph speed limit within the grounds.

“Everyone [needs to] take responsibility,” the spokesperson said.

“[There are] too many kids in and around club facilities to be speeding.”

The spokesperson also urged visitors to reverse park at the grounds to ensure ease of access for all users of the facility.

Preschool places available

Múin Childcare have officially taken over as the service provider from Step One Pre-School in Blackrock, with spaces still available for the 2025/2026 enrolment period.

In a post shared on social media, the childcare provider said they are now open for childcare services at the Blackrock Hurling Club, with spaces available for immediate start for ECCE and part-time care.

Children attending will benefit from play-based learning, a developmental curriculum and outdoor play, between 9am and 2pm daily.

For more information or to enquire about places, email: muinpreschool@gmail.com.

Have news to share? Contact rachel.lysaght@theecho.ie