All About Cork: Over €800,000 allocated to footpath improvement works

The Cork City South West ward has agreed the locations for extensive footpath works to be carried out, with over €800,000 being allocated to high footfall areas.

The development has been welcomed by Labour councillor Ciara O’Connor.

“I am happy we could allocate over €800,000 spread across the ward on high footfall areas, based on representations I, along with my ward colleagues, have received.

“We were not able to get all areas covered but will work on this with local engineers.

“This programme represents a major investment to improve pedestrian safety, accessibility, and vital repairs needed to existing footpaths or new footpaths.”

The locations agreed for the approved works in Togher and extended areas are:

• Togher Rd at the eastern side outside Market Gardens, Carrigrohane Rd at the southern side from Cork Farm to Boxed, Glasheen Rd at the southern side from Tara Lawn towards the city;
• Clashduv Rd from Elm Rd towards Togher Rd, Curraheen Rd at the southern side outside the church, and Togher Rd at the western side from the Tramore Roundabout to Deanrock Avenue;
• Glasheen Rd from the southern side of Clashduv Rd to the pedestrian crossing, as well as Clashduv Rd on both the southern side and northern side;
• Improvements will also be made to paths on Magazine Rd, from Bandon Rd to Dorgans Rd, which will see a 60% improvement in sections;
• Magazine Rd from Dorgans Rd to Kilcrea Park on the southern side, which will see a 50% upgrade in sections.

What authorities deem to be the paths in the worst condition or at the busiest sections will be addressed first.

“This investment is about making our communities safer and easier to get around for all ages,” said Ms O’Connor.

“I am delighted to support budgets that deliver for our communities.”

Ms O’Connor has also said that further works will be completed in the ward, on Beech Rd, and Powdermills or GAA Rd will receive a new footpath with the route going from Ballincollig Regional Park to the GAA club.

Improvement works will also be carried out in Westcourt Heights Estate, Palmbury Estate, Greenwood Estate, Brooke Avenue, the shortcut at the back of Elmvale and Sandown Crescent Estate.

Route Fourteen bar and restaurant in Togher has closed

A popular suburban bar and restaurant in Togher has closed.

Route Fourteen bar and restaurant opened in the Lehenaghmore Business Park in November 2021, but has served its last pint to the people of Togher.

Route Fourteen is a 500sq m premises in Lehenaghmore, in Togher, and had a strong reputation for its food.

The bar and restaurant, which has an outdoor patio area and a 50-space car park, previously traded as the City Bounds bar and was originally developed in 2008 by local man Pascal O’Sullivan, who passed away in 2015.

The premises was revamped in the post-covid era, becoming Route Fourteen in 2021, with the trade’s focus further pushing in to food hospitality.

The eatery was part of a joint venture between the Titanic Bar & Grill in Cobh, which is ran by Alan Murphy, and the Copper Grove, which is in Bandon and owned by Donal and Trish Kelleher.

Titanic Bar & Grill is based in the historic former White Star building at Casement Square and has become a Cobh town favourite since opening 13 years ago. Copper Grove, in Kilbrogan Hill, has been operating successfully for the past 10 years.

Fans of these restaurants are assured that the closure of the Togher premises will not affect the Bandon and Cobh establishments.

“Titanic Bar & Grill, Cobh, and Copper Grove, Bandon, are unaffected by the sale of Route Fourteen and it’s business as usual in those two premises,” co-owner Alan Murphy said.

The decision to cease trading was made this month, following an offer by developers to the owners of the premises.

Gift vouchers that were purchased for Route Fourteen are being honoured at both the Titanic Bar & Grill and also at Copper Grove.

Driver theory test course

Ballyphehane Togher CDP is to host a driver theory test preparation course to help people get ready for their test.

The free course starts this Friday, October 3 in Ballyphehane Togher CDP from 10am to 12pm. The course will provide helpful tips and practice advice.

Spaces are limited. Contact Bríd on 087 6849150 to reserve your spot today. Or apply at www.fetchcourses.ie/course/finder.

Bird flu advice

Highly pathogenic avian influenza HPAI (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, is currently circulating in wild birds, and has been detected following tests on birds found dead at the Lough.

Cork City Council advise people not to touch sick or dead wild birds, and not to handle bird feathers found in the area. Also, do not bring sick wild birds home. Keep pets away from sick and dead wild birds, while dogs should be on a leash where sick or dead wild birds are present.

The city council and the Cork Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are providing advice to the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine about the bird flu cases at the Lough, and are undertaking intensive monitoring and surveillance there. Agreed protocols are in place to ensure the swift removal of sick or dead birds from the area.

Community coffee morning

For World Mental Health Day on Friday, October 10, Ballyphehane Togher Community Development Project CLG, Ballyphehane Community Centre, Cork City Partnership, and Cork City Council are highlighting mental health and wellbeing in the community with an event called Community Connections over Cuppas and Chats.

The coffee morning aims to be one full of hope, music, conversation, and promotion of positive mental health.

The public are invited to attend at Ballyphehane Community Centre, Tory Top Road, from 11am to 1pm. “We are encouraging people to come along, meet up, enjoy some music, treats, connect with each other, and have a fun morning over a cup of tea or coffee. All are welcome to attend,” Ballyphehane Togher CDP has said on social media.

Cór na Laoí returns

Cór na Laoí is back and was represented by musical director Jade, soloist Kate, and accompanist Peter at a PSYCHED event in Nano Nagle Place last week.

“The three set the atmosphere for an engaging afternoon of discussion and talks about the serious subject of addiction and how it impact so many of us,” representatives for the choir have said.

The choir will next perform at Westgate Foundation on October 2 at 2.30pm, as part of Positive Ageing Week 2025, which celebrates ageing and the contribution and agency of older people.

Positive Ageing Week 2025 will carry on the theme of Challenging Ageism: Reframing How We Think, Feel and Act towards ageing and older persons