Welcome to Barry Cogan's weekly column keeping you up to date with local events, news, and happenings in Carrigaline.
My Town My Plan
My Town My Plan sessions organised by SECAD have been held regularly since August 2019 in the Lions Youth Centre and has addressed many aspects of the developing town of Carrigaline. Facilitator George Bullman asked what facilities the town needed. Several were suggested but they were directed to choose one major project and one or two small ones. The number one BHAG project was the provision of an Art Centre encompassing a Civic Centre, Theatre, Museum and ancillary facilities. The other chosen projects were centred on walking, walkways and a community garden. Their My Town My Plan submission must be in book form by Thursday March 26th while a short video presentation has to be ready for Monday March 30th.
Blood Donors
The Spring Blood Donor Clinic in Carrigaline will be held this Monday and Tuesday March 9th and 10th. The Irish Blood Transfusion Service deal with blood and blood products on a daily basis. New volunteers are always welcome at the Clinic and remember your blood donation may save a life. Enquiries Locall 1850 731 137 or the Cork Centre 021 4807 400.
Men’s Shed
The Carrigaline Men’s Shed are planning a busy month of activities. This Tuesday March 3rd the Men’s Shed choir have been invited to sing in the Carrigaline Gaelcholáiste, on Saturday March 14th they will sing for the arrivals at Cork Airport from 10am to 11.30am. Their big night is on Sunday March 22nd in the Carrigaline Court Hotel for their Variety Concert. The choir practice every Tuesday in the Lions Youth Centre from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Work on the completion of the Shed continues and there is good demand for bird boxes and bird feeders. The Men’s Shed have been commissioned to construct a few insect hotels. A good supply of kindling is available in the Shed at €5 a bag. New members are always welcome at the Shed contact Barry Cogan 087 813 7990, Roger Morrissey 087 2203547 or Francis O’Brien 087 230 6640.
Men’s Shed Variety Concert
Tickets are in high demand for the Carrigaline Men’s Shed Annual Variety Concert in the Carrigaline Court Hotel on Sunday March 22nd at 7.30pm. Tickets for the All Star concert €10 are available at the hotel or from Shed members.
Storm Jorge
Carrigaline experienced strong winds and heavy rain on Saturday as Storm Jorge passed over Ireland. However very little damage was reported. A tree was blown down on the Ballinrea Road which was blocked and traffic had to be diverted.
Comhaltas
Comhaltas na Dúglaise will bring Irish Traditional music to a number of National Schools during Seachtain na Gaeilge. The branch members play at a number of Masses on St. Patrick’s Day. Groups will entertain at three concerts during the month at the Tomás Mac Curtáin concert in City Hall on Friday 20th, Carrigaline Men’s Shed Variety Concert on Sunday March 22nd and at Douglas ICA concert later that week. Members of the branch were involved with their Belgooly National School and Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin. Aoibhinn Whyte won the Solo Singing and Róisín Ní Nuanáin came 2nd, both are being taught in the branch by Micheál Ó Sé. Many members are entering for the County Fleadh Cheoil which will be held in Dunmanway in April. Entries must be in to the branch this week. The traditional section of Feis Maitiú takes place on April 2nd and 3rdand the branch have many entries there also. Enquiries douglas@comhaltas.net
Tidy Towns Adopt And Plant Your Own Tree During National Tree Week
Tidy Towns are inviting individuals and families to adopt and plant a tree in Carrigaline on Saturday 21st March from 2pm – 5pm. They will have various types of trees on the day to choose from e.g. native Irish, Fruit, Holly and Pine trees. There will be a small fee of €20 to help cover the cost of each tree. They will provide shovels etc. on the day. You can then admire and watch your tree grow over the coming years. Planting Location: Roadside opposite Educate Together National School/Edmund Rice College Date: Saturday 21st March from 2 – 5pm. If you would like to take part please contact Betty @ 085 144 4206 to reserve a tree.
Aifreann
Beidh Aifreann Gaeilge á chéiliuradh an Domhanach seo chughainn an 8ú lá de mhí na Márta ar a 10.00 a.m. Beidh fáilte roimh amhránaithe go dtí an Cór Gaeilge agus beidh an Cór ón Gaelscoil ag canadh ag an Aifreann seo freisin. Beidh bileoga Aifrinn ar fáil ag na doirse.
The March Aifreann Gaeilge will be celebrated at 10am on this Sunday morning 8th March in the Church of Our Lady and St John, Carrigaline. The Gaelscoil choir and Banna Cheoil will be joining with the Cór Gaeilge for this mass. Mass leaflets and hymn sheets as Gaeilge will be available. Gach eolas ó Aislinn 087 9699 488.
Active Retired
Carrigaline Active Retirement Association members were back to the Parish Centre on Thursday last with over 30 members in attendance. Eleanor Lehane from Cork County Council gave them a very interesting talk and slideshow on Waste Management. She gave them lots of tips on managing their waste and answered lots of questions. On Thursday next March 5th they are looking forward to Dave and Tadhg joining them for music and songs.
Anyone who is over 55 years of age and is retired is invited and welcome to join Carrigaline Active Retirement Association that meets every Thursday afternoon in the Parish Centre from 2.30pm to 4.30pm except when they go on outings. New members and new ideas always welcome.
Macra
Carrigaline Macra na Feirme invites past, present and future members to celebrate our 60th Anniversary Dinner Dance on Saturday 18th April 2020 in the Rochestown Park Hotel Cork. Carrigaline Macra na Feirme will be welcoming, Ireland’s greatest national treasure, Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, as guest speaker for this remarkable milestone. The evening will begin with a Prosecco reception at 6pm followed by a full five course meal, with music by “The Alley Cats Band” and DJ Bowles until late. Tickets can be purchased for €40 by contacting any of the following: John Bryan 0877943879, Deirdre O’Driscoll 0834887322 or Jamie Flannery 0877414206.
Please book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment as it promises to be an unforgettable evening.
Confirmations
58 boys from Scoil Mhuire Lourdes, Carrigaline were confirmed by Bishop Noel O’Regan SMA in the Church of Our Lady and St John on Monday last. Bishop O’Regan, accompanied by the priests of the parish Fr. Pat Fogarty PP, Fr. Charlie Nyhan CC and Fr. Aidan Cremin CC were led in procession to the altar by Carrigaline Pipe Band piper Stephen Nugent. The boys were accompanied by their Principal Aidan Crowley, class teachers Bernice O’Connell, Jonathan Coughlan and Martina Geraghty SNA. The Bishop gave an inspiring homily on receiving the Holy Spirit at Confirmation. The Mass and ceremony were enhanced by the beautiful singing of the Confirmation classes accompanied on guitar by their teacher Jonathan. It was the last Scoil Mhuire Lourdes Confirmation because next year it will be amalgamated with the Girls under the title Holy Well School.
Carrigaline will have two further confirmation days, Monday March 23rd for the Gaelscoil and Tuesday March 31st for St John’s Girls School and CREID.
Over 60s Official Launch
The official launch of the Over 60s talent competition will take place in the Carrigaline Court Hotel on this Monday March 9th. The Over 60s heat takes place in the Hotel at 8pm on Friday March 13th. The heat will have 12 contestants with the winner going straight to the final in City Hall on Sunday May 24th. Enquiries Kevin Meaney 087 943 0600 or Paddy O’Brien 086 810 5585.
Matt Talbot Novena
The Matt Talbot Novena organised by the Pioneers commenced this Monday night in the Church of the Way of the Cross, Togher with Rev Liam Ó hIcí the guest preacher and celebrant. There was a good turnout and a beautiful Mass. Next week Monday March 9th the preacher will be Rev Pádraig Twohig O.S.A. and the following week March 23rd Ms Emer O’Leary Macroom Pioneers. The Novena continues every Monday night during Lent at 7.30pm.