All About Cork: Mayfield Chit Chat Group raises €500 at Christmas jumper day

Despite a weather warning being in place, Mayfield Chit Chat Group’s charity Christmas jumper day was well attended by people wearing festive jumpers, dresses, head pieces and hats.

This was the second time this event has been held by the group, which was set up by Lisa Murphy and celebrated its first anniversary this year.

The informal group meets every Tuesday at 11am in Mayfield Community Development Project at 328 Old Youghal Road.

Like last year, it was held in aid of Cork Simon Communities and managed to raise €500 for the charity.

A spokesperson for Mayfield CDP said: “Thanks to Jim who entertained with his music, home baking from attendees and the kindness of all. Thank you to all who attended and supported!”

The Chit Chat Group also recently enjoyed a visit from Santa at one of their weekly meet ups, which featured singing, refreshments, laughter and good cheer.

The spokesperson said: “Thanks to those who have supported this group throughout the year, it is greatly appreciated. The Chit Chat Group will return on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 11am so please come along and enjoy this great hour of connection and community. Happy Christmas to all and every good wish for 2026.”

Parishioners thanked for support and commitment

Our Lady Crowned Church will have masses at 3pm, 5pm and 7pm on Christmas Eve, at 9.30am and 12 noon on Christmas Day, and 11am on St Stephen’s Day.

St Joseph’s Church Christmas Eve masses will be at 4pm and 6pm, and their Christmas Day mass is at 11am.

Holy Family Church on Military Hill will have mass on Christmas Day at 10.30am.

In a message to the parish, Fr Charlie Kiely told The Echo: “Christmas is a wonderful time here in our community. Personally, we would like to acknowledge and thank all of you who make our celebrations so beautiful every year. Music enhances our Christmas liturgies so thank you to all who sing and play.

“Throughout the year so many of you offer your support, your talents, your gifts in the service of the faith community and the wider community – for this we are all so grateful.”

He thanked the sacristans “and all who work so tirelessly and selflessly in the background”, and the parish pastoral councils.

Fr Kiely also thanked the baptismal ministry team, funeral ministry teams, parish choirs, altar societies, prayer groups, Eucharistic adoration group, safeguarding committees, parish finance committees, collectors and counters, church-based organisations, schools and voluntary groups.

“We wish also to acknowledge those who care for our churches throughout the year, ensuring that they always look well both inside and out.

“To our parishioners and those who attend masses, thank you for your commitment to your church.

“We also wish to acknowledge your financial support and generosity in the weekly offertory collections and building fund collections; these go directly towards the daily running costs and upkeep of the church.

“The dues collections envelopes twice a year, Christmas and Easter, along with the Holy Souls envelopes in November go towards the income of Fr Charlie and Fr Liam. Again your generosity and support is very much appreciated by both of us.”

Fr Kiely said many families in the parish communities have lost loved ones since last Christmas, saying: “Please be assured of our prayers”.

He also welcomed everyone who has recently moved into the area.

“Finally, thanks to all the parishioners and those who are part of our worshipping community for your kindness, support and encouragement to us personally – it is very much appreciated. May God bless each of you in this Holy Season and new year ahead.”

Mayfield Business Park Signs

Signage at Mayfield Business Park cannot be removed as it has been in place for too long, the Cork City Council has said at the most recent local area committee meeting.

Fine Gael’s Joe Kavanagh had proposed that the council enhance the entrance to  the business park on the Old Youghal Road by removing the multiple company advertising signs at this location and replacing them with one sign at this entrance point. He listed all the various companies in the park, and their specific unit number.

Mr Kavanagh also asked that they clear all the weeds and overgrown vegetation at the entrance point and replace them with floral shrubbery.

A council director said: “Planning enforcement has previously investigated the signage in Mayfield Business Park on the Old Youghal Road. Planning enforcement could not, in accordance with Section 157 (4) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, take enforcement proceedings as the support structure and signs are statute barred.

“In this instance the subject signage and support structures are in place in excess of 15 years. In the event that the multiple signs are removed, Parks and Recreation can review remedial landscape works at this location.” 

Under planning law, unauthorised development can only be enforced against within a set time limit. As they have been in place for longer than 15 years, the signs are now immune from enforcement, and the council legally cannot force their removal.

Wellington road safety 

At the latest local area committee meeting, Green party councillor Oliver Moran proposed that Cork City Council engage with residents and schools in the Wellington Road area in relation to management of school traffic, promoting sustainable transport options, and work towards establishing a school street in the area.

A council spokesperson said: “As an educational cluster, Wellington Road is well placed for a school to apply either individually or collectively for a Safe Routes to School project in the next round of funding.

The details for the project have yet to be confirmed.   

“Should the schools be successful with their application, the following options can be looked at: the undertaking of surveys and engagement with stakeholders, the installation of physical infrastructure, pedestrian crossing road restrictions/narrowing, removal of parking or through traffic, and time based traffic management.” 

Old Youghal Road crossing 

A pedestrian crossing and bus stops near New Inn School are currently being looked into, Labour councillor John Maher was told at the most recent local area committee meeting.

He had asked for public lighting and improved public realm on the Old Youghal Road between Lotamore Estate and New Inn School, and that a safe crossing be provided to cater for all pedestrians.

A council spokesperson said: “Traffic Operations are currently engaging with the NTA in relation to finding an appropriate solution to provide bus stops and a crossing in the vicinity of New Inn School which forms part of the NTA BusConnects Network Redesign project.” 

However, they added there is presently  no budgetary provision for improved public realm works and lighting in the area.