Community spirit alive and well among groups shortlisted for lord mayor's awards

AMONG the nominees is the Cork City Athletic Club, founded by Cork’s international athlete Rob Heffernan. He wanted to give something back to the sport he loves, recognising a need for an athletic club for juveniles who go on to teen and senior level.

The athletic club is primarily for youngsters in the Mahon, Blackrock, and Douglas areas, but all are welcome. It is the fourth-largest juvenile club in Cork, with almost 400 members ranging in age from eight years upwards, then going up through the ranks to teenagers and seniors.

There are three weekly sessions in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and two at the MTU track. The athletes compete in both indoor and outdoor events.

While they have been successful in events, the emphasis is not on winning, but on the importance of participation.

Mr Heffernan told The Echo: “What makes Cork City AC special is the culture we’ve created. We’ve grown to nearly 400 members, most of whom never did athletics before. The energy, enthusiasm, and sense of fun in the club is incredible.

“The success we’re having at senior and underage level is phenomenal, but what matters most is giving young people resilience, confidence, and a strong work ethic through sport. That’s what I’m most proud of.”

Another nominee is Bádóireacht, Meitheal Mara’s award-winning youth programme, a community-based maritime initiative operating on the River Lee.

The programme engages young people from diverse communities and backgrounds aged from 12 to 25 from across Cork city, primarily through currach rowing, alongside additional pathways that help them to stay active, continue learning, and achieve new goals on the water.

Since 2002, hundreds of participants have learned to row, sail, and build boats.

Clare Hayden, Bádóireacht youth programme manager, said: “It is a huge honour for Bádóireacht to be nominated for the Lord Mayor’s Community and Voluntary Awards.

“For over 20 years, the programme has supported young people from across Cork city to connect with the water, build confidence, learn new skills, and develop a strong sense of teamwork and belonging.

“This nomination recognises our community. Not only the young people involved, but also the meitheal of volunteers, staff, partners, schools, and families who have supported the programme over the years.

“Our work would not be possible without our legion of volunteers, including our youth council, our on-the-water trainers, and the many volunteers that assist us in delivering events such as the Ocean to City Youth Race.

“We are especially proud of the work being done to create inclusive pathways for young people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, ensuring that Cork’s maritime heritage remains open and accessible to all.”

The next nominee, Cycling For All Cork, is dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals with special needs to experience the joys of cycling in a supportive and inclusive environment.

The organisation runs tailored cycling sessions designed to accommodate a wide range of abilities. Cycling for All Cork ensures that every participant feels empowered and included, providing adaptive equipment and individualised support.

Regular cycling improves cardiovascular health, enhances muscle strength, and boosts overall physical fitness.

For individuals with special needs, it can also significantly improve coordination, balance, and confidence. Beyond the physical gains, cycling provides a sense of independence and achievement that resonates far beyond the track.

Social interaction is the cornerstone of this group, with sessions structured to foster camaraderie among participants, volunteers, and families.

A spokesperson said: “We’re delighted to get the nomination; it’s a recognition of what the group is doing. In the last year we’ve expanded so much — there’s different groups and different type of individuals getting involved.

“We’re a volunteer-led initiative, completely free; for anyone who for whatever reason cannot cycle a bike, we do the best we can to get them cycling. We have a fantastic bunch of volunteers, the most amazing group of people, and it’s fantastic to see it growing all the time.”

The category’s final nominee is the Glen Resource Centre, which provides an amenity and recreational facility for the community of the Glen and further afield, with five-a-side pitches, children’s party facilities, and snowtubing.

As well as this, the Glen complex is home to Cork City Partnership and HSE community workers, the Glen Community Garden, a Roma Health and Education peer worker, the Dillons Cross Project, a thriving creche, and a community employment scheme.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Glen Resource Centre, with a celebration of the immense work and effort that is put in by all the local community stakeholders to provide not only state-of-the-art facilities in the heart of their community, but also the dedication shown to educating, training, and supporting members who wish to return to employment.

Roy Watson, general manager, said: “We are very proud to be nominated for this award.

“The hardworking staff, volunteers, and many community groups and organisations associated with the Glen Resource Centre work tirelessly to provide invaluable services and facilities to the local and wider community. It means a lot to us all to be recognised for this work.”