All About Cork: Blackrock author launches her book of local memories

A large crowd attended Blackrock National Hurling Club last week for the launch of local woman, Anne Furlong Healy’s new book.

The book, My Own Place and Other Stories, was launched at a special event on Thursday by former Cork captain, Kevin Cummins.

My Own Place and Other Stories features a collection of memories and reminiscences of Ms Furlong Healy’s home in Ballinure, and its surrounding areas of Blackrock and Lough Mahon.

Stories include thoughts of summers past, where swimming was the normal daily escape, and two fields adjoining Lough Mahon, separated boys and girls whilst getting ‘togged out’.

Ms Furlong Healy also discusses hurling and the Ballinure Cottages where she grew up, as her home was a magnet for hurling.

Decked out with medals and cups, Ms Furlong Healy said that “almost every house had a person with a talent for hurling”.

Throughout her novel, Ms Furlong Healy highlights some of her favourite memories and anecdotes, whilst also casting a light on some of the area’s darker histories, including stories on the Bessborough Mother and Baby Home.

“Anyone writing about this area couldn’t not write about the now infamous Bessborough Mother and Baby Home,” said Ms Furlong Healy.

“In this collection you will find some kiddies stories, one about Micky Joe, who did not lead a very good life, [but] you will have to read the book to see how he gets on — suffice to say, when all fruit fails, welcome hurling.

“We also have murder and mystery and ghosts; a girl who believes she killed her brother, titled Curve Ball; a baby who goes missing, titled The Butterfly Birthmark, and a missing wife, titled The Disappeared.

“These stories were nurtured by Mrs O’Leary in number eight [of Ballinure Cottages] where the children of the cottages would sit on dark winter evenings to hear her tell ghost stories.”

Other stories included in this collection cover the categories of love and love lost, with some detailing the breaking down of a marriage and another, titled No Greater Love, casting an eye back to the Irish Republican Army.

A limited quantity of My Own Place and Other Stories are available for purchase from Midleton Books, the Circle K Petrol Station in Blackrock, and from Amazon.

Toilet facilities will be available at Marina, council confirms

Cork City Council has confirmed that toilet facilities will be operational at the western end of the Marina Promenade in the coming days.

In response to a motion submitted in June by Labour Party councillor for the Cork City South East Ward, Peter Horgan, a council spokesperson said a temporary bathroom facility would be installed shortly.

“Marina Park Phase Two does not contain additional toilet facilities,” the spokesperson said.

“However, the city council is advancing its plans to accommodate some toilet units at the western end of the Marina at present and expects to have them operational within the next six to eight weeks.”

Following a council meeting this week, held on Tuesday, Mr Horgan said that the temporary facilities are due to open “in the coming days”.

However, despite this news, Mr Horgan has reiterated a call to Cork City Council for additional facilities along the Marina Promenade, specifically at the eastern end of the amenity.

“It is most welcome that the toilets at the western end of the Marina will be operational soon,” said Mr Horgan.

“However, I have emphasised, and will continue to seek budgetary space to be found for the establishment of toilets at the eastern side of the promenade, especially by Holland Park.

“As a father of young children, I know too well the panic of being caught short, but it can happen to anyone of any age.

“The idea that the solution is perhaps a bush wee or to hold it until you traverse the length of promenade is not tenable and not respectful,” he added.

“I will continue to probe this and advocate for more public amenities in the terms of toilets here.”

Have a ball at Cork SportsFest

Independent councillor for the Cork City South-East ward, Kieran McCarthy, is encouraging people from Blackrock and Mahon to take part in the #BeActive Cork City SportsFest this weekend.

In a post on social media, Mr McCarthy called on the public to “come and join Cork Sports Partnership for a free fun afternoon of activities in Tramore Valley Park”.

The SportsFest will take place on Saturday from 4pm to 6pm. Participants will enjoy yoga, zumba, orienteering, cricket, baseball, volleyball, table tennis, gym sessions, walking, athletics, GAA, rugby, ultimate frisbee, lacrosse, and more. There will also be live music provided by an on-site DJ.

While the event is free to attend, prior registration is required.

For more information or to register, visit: https://tinyurl.com/fe9xcsbs.

St Luke’s up for Cork award

A spokesperson for St Luke’s Charity and Home in Mahon has announced that the organisation has been nominated for a Pride of Cork Award.

The Pride of Cork Awards, hosted by Cork Civic Life, are aimed at honouring the contribution of those nominated to the voluntary, social, civic, charitable, and not for profit sector in Cork city and county.

St Luke’s will join other nominees at the awards ceremony on October 16 at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, MC’d by 96FM’s PJ Coogan and C 103’s Patricia Messinger.

A representative from the Mahon & Rockies Youth Club has issued a call for new members.

Youth club seeks members

In a post on social media, a spokesperson for the club said that the organisation is looking for new members to join their weekly meet-ups at the Mahon Youth Centre on Mahon Drive.

The club, which caters to young people aged eight years old and over, aims to help children to develop skills as they grow into adulthood.

Attendees will enjoy social outings, non-formal learning, and arts and crafts, while developing skills including socialising and making friends and building confidence and self-esteem.

The club meets every Friday at the youth centre from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.

For more information, contact Michelle on: 089 239 0923.

Representatives from the Rainbow Club Cork Centre for Autism have called on the public to donate to their “new home” fund.

Rainbow Club’s home fund

The Rainbow Club, based in the Mahon Community Centre on Avenue De Rennes, caters to more than 1,000 families with additional needs.

In a post on social media, a spokesperson said that a “forever home” would be “a huge leap forward for us as an organisation, as it would allow us to expand our intake, resources, facilities, staffing and gain more stable funding opportunities”.

“With aims to achieve this, we as an organisation have set up an iDonate fundraiser, with hopes to raise the much needed funds to create a permanent space,” the spokesperson said.

• For more information, or to donate to the new home fund, visit: https://www.idonate.ie/RainbowClubNewHome.