All About Cork: Montfort College win prestigious UK performing arts competition

Montfort College of Performing Arts, a 63-year-old Cork institution, has made history by being crowned the very first winners of ‘Showtops International’, a prestigious performing arts competition held in the UK recently.

The three-day event featured schools from Wales, Kildare, and Mallow, with more than 400 students participating. Each school presented a 50-minute showcase of singing, dancing, and acting, with Montforts, based at the South Ring Business Park, Kinsale Road, representing Cork with a troupe of 37 students aged 12 to 18.

Amid an exceptionally high standard of entrants Montfort College triumphed, bringing home the top award along with 10 other awards, including ‘Best Finale’ and ‘Best Musical Theatre piece’, and taking the title of the first champions of ‘Showtops International’.

Trevor Ryan, director of Montfort College of Performing Arts, said: “This is an incredible achievement for our students and for Cork. To be recognised internationally at such a high level is a testament to the hard work, commitment, and talent of these young performers. We are immensely proud of them.”

Founded in 1962 by the late Eileen Nolan, Montfort College has long been at the forefront of performing arts education in Cork, offering training in drama, dance, and musical theatre.

This latest accolade highlights not only the calibre of their students but also Cork’s continued reputation as a hub of artistic excellence.

Montforts now look forward to celebrating this achievement locally and hope to mark the occasion with civic recognition in the weeks ahead.

GAA club looking for bar staff and baristas

Douglas GAA club is looking for bar staff and baristas with an immediate start. For further information contact their clubhouse manager David Hayes on 083 4263771.

Meanwhile their Gaelic for Mothers and Others resumed training after their summer break last week.

Last Saturday they took part in the Carrigaline blitz and played teams from all over the county and performed very well. Plenty of craic was had by all on and off the field.

If you fancy joining one of the fastest growing movements within the LGFA association why not come and check it out. New members are always welcome, once you are over 25.

No prior experience needed or returning to football after a number of years and have a sense of humour entry is guaranteed.

Training times at the moment are Monday’s 7-8pm on pitch two and will change to a slightly later time once they go indoors to the hall shortly. Contact Rosemary for more information on 086 2300533.

The club would also like to congratulate Der and Patricia O’Regan who won the club’s lotto prize of €11,650.

This means the jackpot now stands at €2,500, and the second prize is €2,500. This is a very important fundraiser for the club, so why not have a flutter?

You can purchase tickets online through their website, or through the Clubforce Connect App, or you can purchase tickets directly in the club bar in advance of the draw at 9pm every Sunday evening.

A direct debit option is available as well. Also, if anyone is interested in becoming a promoter where you sell a book of 10 tickets each week to family, friends, workmates etc, you are automatically entered into a promoters only draw each Sunday. Please contact Der Regan on 086 6093083 for further details.

The club also held an 80s Disco fundraiser last week. Guest appearances from John Travolta, Madonna, Cher, Bon Jovi, John McEnroe and a whole host of other characters.

The club would like to say well done to everyone revisiting their youth and those experiencing an 80s Disco for the first time.

Thanks to the organising committee of Seán, Martina, Colette, Kevin, Andrew, Saoirse, Clare, Dave, Gearoid, John, Luke, Colm, Bernie, and our underage players Julie, Lucy, Caitlin and Aine.

Thanks to those who sponsored the prizes on the night, @azurejewellery, the club shop and Tom and Joanne O’Flynn.

Well done to our costume winners on the night who went above and beyond their usual club duties – Seán Nash, Caroline O’Sullivan, Keith Burke and Phil Nason.

The club’s AGM is taking place on Sunday, November 30, in line with GAA guidance. In advance of this date they will hold a number of review meetings focused on different parts of the club e.g. boys underage – dates to be advised in the weeks ahead.

One of the key outcomes of the AGM will be appoint a club executive for the year ahead. Should any member be interested in getting involved in helping with the administration of the club don’t hesitate to get in touch with the club secretary at: secretary.douglas.cork@gaa.ie.

Ballinlough Garda forum meeting to take place tonight

The next Ballinlough Garda forum meeting will be held tonight Monday, October 6, at 8pm at the community centre.

Get all the updates from the local Community Gardaí on the night. Light refreshments will be served and all are welcome to attend.

Councillor Horgan wants sport and exercise made more affordable for families

Labour’s Councillor Peter Horgan for Douglas and the Cork City South East ward has called for urgent action to make sport and exercise more affordable for families.

As part of Labour’s Alternative Budget 2026, Cllr.Horgan is backing a new proposal to introduce standard rate tax relief on sports club and gym memberships, capped at €500 per person.

This would put up to €100 back in people’s pockets each year and help break down the cost barriers stopping families and young people from staying active.

Cllr. Horgan said: “Sport and exercise are vital for our health, our wellbeing, and for the strength of our communities here in Cork. Whether it’s playing with the local GAA club, joining a soccer team, swimming, or simply going to the gym, being active makes us healthier physically and mentally.

“Yet I hear from families all the time who are struggling to keep up with rising membership fees. The cost of living crisis is squeezing households, and too often sport and exercise are one of the first things to go.

“That’s why Labour’s Alternative Budget includes a practical, targeted measure: standard rate tax relief on sports and gym memberships, capped at €500. It means real savings for families, making it easier to take part in regular exercise regardless of income. This is about fairness — participation in sport should be a right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. Every euro invested in sport and physical activity is money saved in the health service. Supporting people to be active helps to prevent chronic illness, boosts mental health, reduces obesity, and builds stronger, more connected communities.

“Yet time and again, this government treats sport as an afterthought. They talk about supporting mental health and tackling obesity, but they have failed to provide real, concrete incentives for people to get active.

“This is a small change with a big impact. In Cork it would mean more children on the pitch, more people in the pool, and more neighbours in the gym — healthier communities for all of us.

“Labour’s message is clear: we must prioritise preventative health and wellbeing. Government should adopt this measure in Budget 2026 and stop ignoring the huge benefits of sport and exercise for families and communities.”