County Mayor's Column: New year kicks off with school tree planting programme

January means cold mornings and long evenings inside with our loved ones as the winter continues. However, it won’t be very long until we see the first signs of life in the garden and a stretch in the evenings.

All the while, Cork County Council continues to carry out its work delivering vital services with our dedicated workforce.

This includes salting the roads, keeping you informed on what is happening in your community, and organising events that are open to everyone.

As Mayor of the County of Cork, I am proud of the work done, and what is to come, as we begin to roll out a packed programme of projects and plans for 2026.

Our year started with the announcement of a partnership with Biodiversity in Schools on a tree-planting initiative with schools in Macroom, which is Cork County’s first decarbonising zone.

This programme will work with children of all ages throughout Ireland and aims to increase positive engagement with nature, through fun educational projects, competitions, and direct action that benefits nature.

The initiative in Macroom will see native trees and hedgerows planted on school grounds, which will help to improve biodiversity while engaging students in positive, hands-on climate action.

We also saw the announcement that Cork County and Cork City local enterprise offices will be supporting 15 small businesses at the upcoming Showcase Ireland — an international showcase for Irish craft and design businesses — at the RDS in Dublin from January 18-20.

This event is one of the largest international trade shows on the island and it offers manufacturers, designers, and craft makers the opportunity to exhibit their collections to 3,000 buyers visiting from Ireland, the UK, the USA, mainland Europe, and Asia.

They come to a showcase that boasts more than 50 years of history, and has traditionally generated sales orders of over €25.6m during the three-day show.

It is run by the Local Enterprise Offices, an intricate business network that provide services such as the Start Your Own Business Programme and mentoring services for many of the small businesses that exhibit at the Showcase each year.

Cork will be represented this year by an exceptional group of entrepreneurs, who will be bringing innovative products and creative talent to an international audience.

Bantry’s Claire O’Sullivan is one of those, and her business, Wasi Seaweed, has been shortlisted as one of three finalists under the category of Sustainability Champion for the Business of Craft Awards as part of the Local Enterprise Showcase.

January continued for Cork County Council with the unveiling of a new affordable housing purchase scheme in Pulleen, Kanturk, as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting accessible housing in rural communities.

The houses are constructed by Vella Homes and will be mainly available for first-time buyers who do not own a home (although a small number of exceptions apply) and fresh start applicants.

This development of 20, A-rated, high-quality family homes is located in a residential location in Pulleen, Kanturk, and offers a mix of two- and three-bedroom houses.

There are two two-bedroom mid-terrace houses available from €260,000, which represents a reduction of approximately 22.3% from market value. There are also two two-bedroom bungalows available from €315,000, which represents a reduction of approximately 19.23%. There are 16 three-bedroom, end of terrace/semi-detached houses available from €295,000, which represents a reduction of approximately 20.2% from market value.

Kanturk is a growing and diverse town that is a short drive away from Mallow and Cork city.

The area also has primary and post-primary schools, shops, pubs, restaurants, medical facilities, sports clubs, and a park.

Applications for the scheme at Pulleen, Kanturk will open at 12pm on Tuesday, February 3.

Further information on this scheme and other upcoming schemes, including the scheme of priority, guide to making an application, and documentation required can be found at www.corkcoco.ie.