All About Cork: Spillane to make amends to Ballincollig at White Horse gig

One of Cork’s favourite singers and songwriters has apologised to the people of Ballincollig for a song which jokingly defamed The Village, and — ahead of a gig there — he has offered to make amends.

John Spillane first recorded Johnny Don’t Go to Ballincollig in 1998, noting that we never think twice about US songwriters namechecking places — for example Wichita Lineman, Galveston, and By The Time I Get To Phoenix, to pick just three hits for Glen Campbell.

Why then, he reasoned, shouldn’t an Irish songwriter mention placenames local to themselves?

To be fair, Ballincollig wasn’t the only place Mr Spillane cautioned his namesake Johnny against visiting, voicing similar concerns about Carrigaline, Mallow, and the banks of the Shannon, before venturing further afield to also issue travel advisories against the banks of the Nile, and — closer to home — the Tower of London, and Crystal Palace.

Now, ahead of his upcoming gig at The White Horse at 8.30pm on Friday, October 24 — Election Day — Mr Spillane has offered a tongue-in-cheek apology to Ballincollig.

“I’m terribly sorry for all the upset I caused the people of Ballincollig with my song Johnny Don’t Go To Ballincollig,” he told The Echo, “and I hope that the follow-up song Beautiful Ballincollig will make amends.”

Joking aside, though, Mr Spillane said he was very much looking forward to returning to The Village.

“The White Horse is a fantastic venue, within sight of Ballincollig Castle, and I always get a brilliant reception there. I can’t wait to catch up with some old friends and hopefully make some new ones,” he said.

“As I like to say, ‘Will We Be Brilliant Or What?’”

One of Ireland’s most popular and accomplished musicians and storytellers, the Cork native lovingly describes his home county as “the centre of the universe” and a source of huge creative influence throughout his career.

A two-time Meteor Award winner for best folk/trad act, his music is inspired by and encapsulates Irish traditional music in its contemporary form — a reflection of Ireland today.

With an extensive back catalogue beginning with the 1997 album The Wells of the World, his songs have been covered by Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon, Sean Keane, and many others. Twelve albums later in April 2021, he released his first independent album in 20 years, 100 Snow White Horses.

Last year he released Fioruisce — The Legend of the Lough, a concept album featuring many collaborators, among them: Ríoghnach Connolly, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Niamh Farrell, Nell Ní Chróinín, and more. The album has been named Album of The Year at the RTÉ Folk Awards.

John Spillane plays The White Horse in Ballincollig at 8.30pm on Friday, October 24. For booking details, see whitehorse.ie.

Apartment development

Work has begun on a new social housing development in the south-west ward which will see the development of 16 apartments.

The new development, which is being delivered by Cork City Council in partnership with O’Flynn Construction, will comprise of 10 two-bedroom apartments and six one-bedroom apartments on Old Fort Road in Ballincollig.

News of the social housing development has been welcomed by Ballincollig-based Sinn Féin councillor Joe Lynch.

“The number one priority of Cork City Council, given the current housing crisis, must be the delivery of additional housing, and I am pleased that this new development will provide 16 badly needed homes for workers and families in Ballincollig,” Mr Lynch said.

Vintage motor club on final run

Ballincollig Vintage Motor Club is set to stage the final run of its season on Sunday, October 19.

Registration will take place at the Killumney Inn from 10.30am, and teas, coffees, and scones will be served ahead of departure at 11.30am. The run is sponsored by Jerry Murphy of R+R Tyres, Ballincollig.

The run will travel to Clonakilty for a short stop there, then on to Short Strand before heading back to the Killumney Inn for 3.30pm for the prize-giving ceremony.

Other events coming up include the club’s 20th anniversary on Friday, November 7, which will be celebrated at Mary O’Connell’s in Ballincollig. This will be a free event for members and former members. Tickets are now available.

The club’s annual general meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 5, at 8pm at Mary O’Connell’s.

The club’s Christmas party will take place at the Killumney Inn at 8pm on Friday, December 5.

Full details can be found on bvmc.ie.

More than 150 employers at annual careers fair at MTU

Munster Technological University (MTU) recently hosted its annual careers fair, hosting more than 150 employers from across a wide range of sectors and industries at its Bishopstown campus.

The careers fair is one of the largest in the region and helps provide students with opportunities to connect directly with global and national companies looking to recruit students from MTU.

This year, the careers fair saw strong representation from industries including engineering, construction, pharmaceutical, biomedical, bioscience, business, accounting, investment, technology, cybersecurity, and social care.

Annmarie MacFeely, head of careers services at the MTU careers office, said it was a proud moment for the university to see its graduates in such demand across a range of sectors and industries.

“Our annual careers fair is not just about recruitment, it’s about building connections and highlighting the skills and talent that our students bring straight from campus to the workplace,” she said.

“It is heartening to see the confidence employers have in our graduates to shape the country’s workforce.”

As part of the activities at the fair, students also had the opportunity to receive complimentary LinkedIn headshots from professional photographer Joleen Cronin, ensuring that they will be ready to make their mark as they begin their careers.

The event was also supported by the Career Fair Plus app, which provided employers, students, and staff with all essential information, including FAQs and scheduling tools to help them make the most of their day.

Being an annual event, the MTU Careers Fair continues to be an important event showcasing the university’s commitment to supporting graduates as they move into the workforce.

Ballincollig Drama Festival

The annual Ballincollig Drama Festival started yesterday and will run until Thursday, October 16, in the Ballincollig Community Centre on Station Rd.

Groups from all over Cork city and county will take to the stage to showcase some of the best amateur productions, locally written and directed.

The Pyke Theatre Group, which every year organises the festival, has announced that Shirley McCarthy will adjudicate for the week.

Curtain each night at 7.30pm. All are welcome. Admission is €10, with concessions €8.

GAA Club weekly lottery

The numbers drawn in the Ballincollig GAA Club lottery, which was held on Thursday, October 2, were 3, 7, 20, and 36. There was no winner of the €17,000 jackpot, but there were three consolation prize winners for club supporters, with €100 going to Enda Hurney, €50 to Bernice Kavanagh, and €50 to Neil Frank Holland.

The jackpot for this week’s lottery draw now stands at €17,200.