All About Cork: Arts, crafts, and fundraising at Christmas market

1.Eithne Sparling fundraising for the Nepalese Community with her cake's sale raffle at the Gurranabraher/Churchfield Annual Christmas Market on Friday 12th December in the Parochial Hall, Gurranabraher. Picture Larry Cummins.

2. Trevor O’Callaghan with his handcrafted artwork and Denis Crean helping out at the stall at the Gurranabraher/Churchfield annual Christmas market.

3.Geraldine Fitton and Teresa Stokes with raffle prizes as they fundraised for Friendly Call Cork.

4. Aisling Dorgan, of Rosie-Lile Jewellery, with her handmade jewellery at the Gurranabraher/Churchfield Christmas market.

Climate funding access

Sinn Féin councillor for Cork City North West, Kenneth Collins, this week expressed concern that groups could miss out on funding approved under the Climate Action Fund.

The deadline to draw down funding was December 17, he said.

“I have been contacted by three sporting and community groups in Cork North Central who were granted funding under the Climate Action Fund but because of various issues, have not yet been able to complete this work.

“These groups are largely volunteer run. Applying for, preparing for and drawing down this grant is a huge burden as it is only paid retrospectively. 

"The loss of this funding will be a huge loss to these groups.

“I have spoken with Sinn Féin’s environment spokesperson Pa Daly and he will seek to raise this with the minister. We are not asking for much – simply an extension of the drawdown deadline to ensure that groups who have been granted funding can access it.”

Festive ‘togetherness’ at Foyer

Cork Foyer was filled with festive excitement as Santa Claus paid a special visit to meet 450 children from 20 preschools and schools across Cork city’s northside this week.

Each child had the opportunity to meet Santa, share their Christmas wishes, play in the playground, and take part in a joyful festive experience.

The event highlighted the strong sense of community across Cork’s northside.

“This visit was all about creating moments of joy and togetherness for children in our community. Seeing the excitement on their faces when Santa arrived made all the hard work worthwhile,” a spokesperson said.

The event was organised and run by Cork City Council in partnership with Cork Foyer, Cork City Partnership, Cork City Childcare, and Churchfield Trust.

Cork Foyer offers young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness quality affordable accommodation, with education, training, and support at the heart of the project.

Sunday’s Well GNS to receive safe routes funding

Sunday’s Well GNS is one of three Cork city schools that will benefit from funding through the safe routes to school programme.

Fine Gael TD Colm Burke said: “With over €50m invested nationally to date we are ensuring safer journeys in Cork.”

Improvements can include school zone features such as pencil shaped bollards, colourful road markings, upgraded footpaths, and enhanced pedestrian crossings, to slow traffic and make walking and cycling safer.

The programme aims include improving safety and public health while reducing car congestion and supporting climate goals.

Minister of state at the Department of Transport Jerry Buttimer said: “I am delighted to see the safe routes to school programme continuing to advance at pace.

“This nationwide investment in walking and cycling infrastructure, estimated at around €15-20m for 2026, strengthens the safety of our students and also encourages lifelong habits of sustainable travel. Better health, safer journeys, lower emissions, and reduced congestion are just some of the benefits.

“At its core, this programme is about making school environments safer by reducing traffic speeds and improving how children interact with the road. The default choice of many is to travel to work or school by car, but with the provision of infrastructure through the safe routes to school programme, walking and cycling should become a viable option for many.”

Christmas raffle

The Ascension Church in Gurranabraher will hold a special Christmas raffle, tomorrow December 21. The raffle will raise funds for the church roof repayments. First prize will be turkey and ham, and there will be a further nine prizes. Tickets €2 per strip, three strips for €5.

Meanwhile, Gurranabraher is one parish in the city “that makes a serious effort to come to the aid of its needy” especially at Christmas time.

“We invite parishioners again this year to place their donations of food items in the baskets provided just off the sanctuary. May God bless all generous givers. Also, if you know families that could benefit from some extra food this Christmas, please let us know,” a spokesperson said.

Goal Mill with Blarney GAA

Join Blarney GAA for their annual Goal Mile this Christmas. Whether you run, walk, or jog, it’s a meaningful way to support a great cause.

The Goal Mile is an annual festive charity event run by the humanitarian organisation Goal, and it’s supported by AIB. It takes place throughout December and on New Year’s Day in communities all across Ireland — and also virtually around the world. It will take place in Blarney tomorrow, Sunday at 9.30am.

Participants simply run, walk, or jog one mile. There’s no race and no timing — it’s all about community spirit, getting active, and supporting a good cause. Tens of thousands of people take part each year, and

All funds go directly to support Goal’s humanitarian work, helping vulnerable communities facing poverty, conflict, and climate crises.