All About Cork: Locations of €800k footpath renewal works announced

Cork City Council’s North East ward has decided on the locations for €800,000 worth of footpath renewal works in 14 areas.

“The city’s footpaths are a critical part of our urban infrastructure,” said Green Party councillor Oliver Moran.

“Unfortunately, maintenance has been overlooked for a long time.

“That’s why this year, Cork City Council agreed to take a €4m loan to enable a step-change in footpath maintenance across the city.”

The €4m funding was part of an overall €20m loan to be used for footpath repair and city-centre revitalisation.

The first €4m of the loan was drawn down this year for footpath renewal. It has been divided equally between the five local electoral areas, leaving each with €800,000 to divide between footpaths.

The balance of the loan, €16m, is to be drawn down when funding becomes available to service it, the council previously explained.

The locations chosen by the ward councillors last week are Ard na Laoi; Belgrave Ave, Wellington Rd; Glenthorn and Glen Heights, Ballyvolane; Meelick, Meadow, Ashgrove, and Clonard, Ballyvolane; Mervue, Ballyvolane; St Brendan’s School, Glen Ave; Murmount Ave and Murmount Circle; Silverheights; Silversprings Court; Slí Gartan and Inis Eoghin; Upper Tivoli Estate; Glenville St; Eastcliffe Rd; Brook Inn and Grandon’s entrance.

Labour councillor John Maher said he was “delighted to support budgets that deliver for communities”, adding: “Thank you to residents who continue to highlight the need for these upgrades — your voice makes the difference.”

Independent Ireland’s Noel O’Flynn said: “We will have €800,000 allocated to us next year to fix all the footpaths around Ballyvolane, Glanmire, Montenotte, Mayfield, Blackpool, Mount Farran and more.

“It won’t be enough to get everything done but it’s a start.

“I’ll be bringing this up as meetings to increase our budget for this in the following years to get all of the footpaths repaired on the northside of Cork.”

Both councillors have shared maps and drawings on Facebook of the areas to be included in the works, to give an indication of what the works will look like.

New executive chef at The Montenotte

The Montenotte has announced the appointment of Martin Lovell as executive chef.

After training in Limerick and Dublin, Mr Lovell spent eight years in New York’s high-end restaurant scene working at restaurants such as Café Un Deux Trois before returning home to head up premier Irish venues such as Castlemartyr Resort and Kilshane House, cooking for high-profile guests.

He went on to open Prime 74 in Tipperary, earning “Best Restaurant in Tipperary” at the 2023 Irish Restaurant Awards and multiple Munster accolades for casual dining.

General manager Juan Tudela said they were “thrilled” to welcome Mr Lovell: “His proven skill for creating memorable, high-quality dining experiences using fresh, local ingredients, combined with his imaginative flair, makes him the perfect fit for our culinary vision at The Montenotte.”

Mr Lovell said: “It is an honour to join The Montenotte at such an exciting stage in its journey. My goal is simple: to let Ireland’s finest ingredients shine, blending traditional techniques with modern presentation and flavours. I look forward to working with our talented teams.”

CDP celebrates 35th year

Mayfield CDP was established in 1990 on the initiative of Canon Donal Linehan. The initial committee was drawn from people from local agencies and activists in the local area.

Mayfield CDP was established in response to unmet needs in areas such as adult education and information provision along with high levels of unemployment, poverty, housing issues and low literacy rates. 

Since its inception, the CDP has grown, evolved and adapted to the needs of the community and available funding streams.

Initially, a project leader was recruited along with a part-time administrator. There was an emphasis on recruitment and training of volunteers in order to develop responses to needs identified such as information provision, literacy, housing, and adult education.

This expansion of the project required additional accommodation. In December 2001, a bungalow at 328 Old Youghal Rd went on the market and Mayfield CDP has been located here since then.

Mayfield CDP aim to respond to local needs by the provision of support, training and developmental opportunities to individuals and groups in the community. Working with people in a non-discriminatory way and encouraging everyone to reach their full potential, Mayfield CDP is a safe, open, friendly and accessible environment. They are marking their 35th anniversary this year, and last week held a special anniversary celebration.

Volunteering information

On Thursday, October 23, from 1pm-4pm, Ciara Murray, Placement Officer with the Cork Volunteer Centre, will be in attendance at Mayfield Library.

Locals are invited to come along for an informal chat on volunteering possibilities for individuals and groups.

Mayfield CALP courses

New courses are to be held in the Mayfield CDP Community Resource Centre, 328 Old Youghal Rd.

The courses are funded by Cork ETB and Cork City Partnership CLG.

Information Technology level 4 QQI starts on Friday, October 3, 9.30am to 1pm for 12 Friday mornings. This course is an introduction to Word, Spreadsheets, database, internet and email, and a nationally recognised certificate will be awarded on completion.

A short Personal Development course will start on Wednesday, October 1, from 10am to 12.30pm for eight Wednesday mornings. This course is a great experience where you can explore personal development topics, communication skills, stress management and much more.

An introduction to Mindfulness will start on Thursday, October 2, for four Thursday mornings from 10am to 12.30pm. Basic Photography will start on Monday, October 13, for six Monday mornings, 10.30am to 12 noon, while a flower arranging workshop will be on Monday, October 20, from 10.30am to 1pm.

If you are interested in any of these courses contact Mayfield CALP on 021 4508562 or email mayfieldcalp1@outlook.com.