Fans of all ages lined out on the South Mall last night to show their appreciation to our All Ireland winning camogie players.
See today’s Evening Echo for more coverage.
James and Dean Casey and Jordan Collins, all from Knocknaheeny, enjoying the homecoming of the victorious Cork Senior Camogie team, on South Mall.
Picture: David Keane
On Friday 28th August at 1100pm in Collins Barracks Cork, General Officer Commanding 1 Brigade, Brigadier General Philip Brennan launched the Defence Forces Annual Veterans Day, which took place on Saturday 12th September 2015 in Collins Barracks Cork.
The Veterans Day, which will be attended by the Minister for Defence, Mr Simon Coveney T.D., and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Conor O’Boyle, is an opportunity for old comrades to meet up and parade and reminisce about their years of service at home and Overseas.
This is the second year that the Defence Forces have hosted a Veterans Day to show appreciation for their service, and to maintain the links between the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps and retired personnel. During the day wreaths will be laid to remember colleagues who died in service and veterans will have the opportunity to to view a Military Archives exhibition as well as a display of modern military equipment.
The launch took place during the ’Friday Club’, a support network which takes place each month, when veterans are welcome to visit their local Defence Forces barracks to stay in touch with each other.
Midleton Food and Drink Festival is a major achievement for the East Cork area and for the organisers, with over 25,000 people attending the Festival annually since its launch in 2004.
Video David Keane
Mary O’Callaghan from Leamlara, Aoife Jones from Knockraha and Edel Cronin from Lisgoold, enjoying the fun at the Food & Drink Festival inMidleton
John, Siobhan, Sean, Aoife and Cian Ryan from Dungourney and Penny, relaxing with their food
Conor the Clown having fun with locals Sinead, Shane and Sophie Mae Mulcahy-Cotter
The Festival showcases the high quality food produce and promote this area as one of the premier food producing regions in Ireland as well as being an attractive tourist destination. The Food Festival Committee has selected food producers that would best highlight the ‘flavour and aroma’ of the food and drink products produced in the area. Similar to previous years, food, drink and craft producers will display and sell their products, to participate in food demonstrations and to promote food tasting. The Festival is family orientated and provides street entertainment throughout the day including a Fashion Show
The Midleton Food Festival is backed by the crucial dedication of a fantastic Festival committee and the support of the people of Midleton
This year’s Clonakilty International Guitar Festival takes place in the West Cork town this weekend.
Local musicians gathered on Inchydoney Beach to launch the event.
Video Dan Linehan
It took 99 years for patriot Thomas Kent to receive the recognition he deserved – but his contribution to Irish freedom will forever be remembered following the State funeral in his home village yesterday.
The remains commandant Thomas Kent , followed by relatives arrrive for the state funeral and re-internment at St Nicholas Church ,Castlelyons.
Picture: Eddie O’Hare
Thousands of people lined the streets of Cork and Castlelyons over the past two days to pay respect to only one of two men executed outside of Dublin for their part in the Easter Rising. Members of the Kent family were lauded for their dignity on the occasion and thanked for sharing the solemn occasion with the entire country.
At his funeral Mass yesterday, military historian Quartermaster Sergeant Gerry White said in his eulogy: “Thomas Kent was a man of his time. He was a religious man, with a strong belief in social justice who also believed that Ireland should be both Gaelic and free. These beliefs led him to join the Land League, the Gaelic League, the Gaelic Athletic Association and the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association. Today, because of the recent discovery of his remains, Thomas Kent has once again become someone who is very much in the present. Today, members of Óglaigh na hÉireann, the Irish Defence Forces, will render the military honours that were denied him ninety-nine years ago. Today, he will no longer be the ‘Forgotten Volunteer’. Today, after ninety-nine years, Thomas Kent is finally coming home.”
SONIA O’Sullivan was back in her home town this weekend to unveil a life size statue of herself.
The statue by James McLoughlin was commissined by Cobh Tourism and unveiled to mark the 20th anniversary of Sonia’s gold medal-winning performance at the 1995 Gothenburg World Championships.
Sonia and family, husband Nic Bideau and teenage daughters Sophie and Ciara beside the statue.
Pic; Larry Cummins
Rebel Pedal, a family fun cycle through the city, was a great success yesterday.
It was a leisurely cycle for all ages highlighting Mobility Week.
Suzanne Dwyer and Alison Murphy, both from Douglas, ready for action at the Rebel Pedal through Cork city.
Picture: David Keane.
The event has been a regular feature since 2000 and each year gets great support from Cork City Council and An
Garda Síochána. The Cork Sports Partnership joined this partnership in 2010 when the Rebel Pedal became part of
the Rebel Tour initiative.
Public opinion on Cork Councils Merger Plan Vox Pop. Video by David Keane
THE verdict on the city streets yesterday regarding the controversial recommendation to merge Cork’s city and county councils is mixed.
There were strong opinions expressed by people on both sides of the argument with the issue engaging people of all ages.
The feelings in the heart of the city centre yesterday were also varied, with strong opinions expressed whatever the option members of the Cork public chose.
Brendan O’Hare, from Mayfield, said that he thought a complete merger of the two local authorities was in the best interests of Cork. He added that it seemed to be in the best economic interests of Cork county as a whole and that mergers had taken place all over Ireland in counties like Tipperary and Waterford.
Tom Meade, from Glanmire, said that his preference would be for an expansion of Cork City Council. He said he would like to see the boundary increased significantly and that he had a lot of reservations about the way that both city and county council was being run at the moment. He added that he felt one major executive to manage the city and the suburbs with renewed focus would be best for the city centre and surrounding areas.
Charlie Saville, from Gurranabraher, said he thought the city council should stay as one local authority and the county council to stay as a separate local authority. He said it was simply because he felt that both Cork City Council and Cork County Council could be managed a lot better if kept separate. He added that he thought it would be too big altogether if it was just one local authority and that management struggled to look after the city as it was at the moment.
Ann Fogarty, from Blarney, said that she worried that a merger could lead to a loss of jobs for people as the two local authorities combined their workforces.
She said that if there was a risk that people in their 40s and 50s who had been working at the local authorities for years could lose their jobs, it was not a good idea. She said it was not right to see people signing on the dole if seen as expendable in a merger. She added that if jobs could be secured, then she would approve.
Geraldine Mulcahy, from Gurranbraher, said she thought Cork City Council and Cork County Council merging would be a good thing because it meant fighting for Cork with a united force.
She said that a merger meant that everybody would be working together and combining good ideas for the betterment of Cork as a whole. She added that when everyone was on the same page, it meant better ideas and better cooperation from all.
The debate surrounding the decision to unify the city and county councils has led to deep divisions in Cork with political and business sectors split on the issue. Business groups are split on the proposal. Cork Chamber claims the single authority approach is a “winning formula” but the Cork Business Association says it represents its “worst fears.”
The fallout over Alf Smiddy and his committee’s recommendations — which favoured three-two to amalgamate the councils — shows no sign of abating in the weeks since the recommendations.
City Council is to become the first Council in history to mount a legal challenge against its Government over plans to merge it with Cork County Council. At a special meeting held just after midnight on Tuesday morning, city councillors voted unanimously to launch a judicial review of the merger decision.
“Town councils disappeared without even a whimper – but Cork City Council is not about to do the same.” That was the rallying call this week of Lord Mayor, Cllr Chris O’Leary, who said he was “duty bound” to protect the office of the city’s First Citizen.
However Mayor of County Cork, Cllr John Paul O’Shea, has called for an end to the bitter fallout, saying the proposal would serve only to enhance Cork as a region.
The “acoustic power duo’”from Bandon are quickly gaining a reputation for their rootsy folk and catchy song-writing. Their latest track, The Ooh Song, is available on iTunes, Spotify and other outlets.
James said: “Myself and Kees played together for a long time. We decided to go busking in Bandon one day and we both really just love playing music. About two years ago we decided to start doing it more seriously.
“The weather’s been amazing! What a great day!” were happily repeated exclamations that poured through the finish line with beaming entrants at the Evening Echo Mini Marathon today.
It was a great day for weather, but it was also a great day for Cork, as locals won many top placements in the event, and thousands of euros were raised for local charities.
First, second and third place in the main event went to Corkonians.
Michelle Finn, from Leevale Athletics Club came first, with a time of 21.26 seconds, an impressive feat, even for Finn who has already hit the qualifying time for the steeplechase event in the 2016 Olympics.
Martina Kiely, from St Finbarr’s Athletic Club came second, and Aoife Cooke, from Youghal Athletics Club came in third.
Ken Smith, the commentator who welcomed people past the finish line, and kept the waiting crowds both entertained and informed, said that despite a few serious athletes taking part competitively today, the event really was a huge occasion for fundraising.
“Between €1.5m and €2m was raised for charities through this event last year,” said Mr Smith.
“Although most people walk the race, their efforts are really far-reaching and impactful,” he said.
What a great day. Check out the colour from around the course at the 34th Evening Echo Women’s Mini Marathon. Well done to all who took part. Once again thousands have been raised for worthy charities.
Staff and pupils enjoyed the official opening of Scoil Mhuire redesigned buildings on Wellington Road in recent days.
A delegation from the People’s Convention visited City Hall, Cork, and handed in a petition to the Lord Mayor, Cllr. Chris O’Leary, of over 22,000 people in the city to oppose water charges.
Video: Denis Minihane.
THE controversial Cork petition opposing water charges has been accepted by the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Chris O’Leary, having been previously refused by his predecessor.
The 22,000 signatures were collected by the CPPC group and presented to Cork’s First Citizen in his office in City Hall yesterday.
The CPPC group had intended on presenting the awards to the previous Lord Mayor, Fianna Fáil Cllr Mary Shields, in May but she refused saying her office was apolitical and that water responsibility no longer rests with local councils.
However in June Sinn Féin councillor Chris O’Leary was elected Lord Mayor and this week agreed to accept the petition. He said he will present it to the Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the launch of the 1916 commemorations in Dublin next week.
“We are delighted the Lord Mayor accepted the petition, it is proper order. The voice of the people must be heard,” Diarmaid Ó Cadhla of the CPPC group said. “Families throughout Cork are angry. The Water Charge has come to reflect all of the wrongs of recent years and people are determined that it shall not pass.”
Diarmaid Ó Cadhla and Michael Mohally of The People’s Convention handing over a petition to the Lord Mayor, Cllr. Chris O’Leary, of over 22,000 people in the city to oppose water charges during a visit by a delegation from The People’s Convention to City Hall. Picture: Denis Minihane.
Were you one of the 8,500 people who took part in last Sunday’s Evening Echo Mini Marathon?
If so relive all the great memories with our special results and picture supplement that will come with Saturday’s edition.
A CORKMAN flew across the globe from Australia to welcome back his sister with the crew of the LÉ Niamh yesterday.
Able Communications Officer Shauna Ferro from Boyce’s Street sailed into the Naval Base in Haulbowline with the crew of the vessel after spending the last 12 weeks on a humanitarian and search and rescue mission with migrants in the Mediterranean. There to meet her were members of her family, including her older brother Lee, who had flown in from Sydney yesterday morning with his fiancée Nevine. Also there was Shauna’s twin sister Elaine and ecstatic mum Catherine. 22-year-old Shauna said she and Elaine had spent their first birthday apart, on July 30, because of the Mediterranean deployment. They celebrated their birthday and swopped presents yesterday instead.
Able Comms Shauna Ferro gets a hug from mother Catherine on the LE Niamh’s return from humanitarian and search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean, to Haulbowline Naval Base.
Pic Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision
Lee said he wanted to come home to welcome Shauna back because he is so proud of her, after watching the progress of the LÉ Niamh on Facebook.
During the mission, the crew rescued more than 4,127 and recovered 39 bodies.
Lt Andrew Bugler from Carrigaline was met on the quayside by his young daughter Andrea and his wife Theresa. The family were looking forward to having an Indian meal last night, while he was also looking forward to sitting in front of a fire at home.
Andrea Bugler from Carrigaline with her mum Theresa.
after the Lé Niamh arrived back in Haulbowline following its humanitarian mission in the Mediterranean. Picture: Denis Scannell
He said the crowd waiting on the quayside for the LE Niamh was overwhelming.
Helen Mulcahy from Youghal and children Muireann and Ciaran welcomed home Liam Mulcahy from the mission.
She said: “The kids are so small – they really missed him. Ciaran is seven and Muireann will be five tomorrow.” It is a weekend of celebrations for the family as Helen’s sister also had a baby boy on Friday.
Rachel Duncan and her son Ryan Walsh welcomed home her partner, Leading Electrical Artificer Eoin Walsh. Ryan was wearing a T-shirt with a photo of Eoin, bearing the words: “Welcome home daddy.”
Eoin said embarking deceased migrants onto the LÉ Niamh was tough – especially the bodies of children– as was witnessing the sinking of a boat which had been ferrying migrants across the Mediterranean.
Leading Seaman Alex Casey came home a week ago because of a back injury but was on the quayside yesterday to welcome his colleagues home.
During one mission, he gave CPR to an infant who had been rescued, and the child survived.
Also among the heroes were Glanmire man Paul O’Connell and Conor Kilbride from Swords. They are army medics who accompanied the crew of the LÉ Niamh on the mission. On July 21, they helped a migrant deliver a baby girl called Destiny after the mother was rescued from the Mediterranean.
*See Monday’s Evening Echo for more pictures.
THE community in Douglas has vowed to rally round the owners of a popular store that was ravaged by fire on Saturday night.
It is believed that a fire started deliberately in a bin outside Broadale Stores led to the blaze that gutted the shop, which opened just over a year ago under new owners.
Firefighers battling the fire at Broadale stores on Maryborough Hill, Cork on Saturday night.
Picture: Eddie O’Hare
There has been an outpouring of sympathy and offers of help flooding in for the owners, who said that they were devastated at what happened.
The store has proved to be hugely popular in the community since it was taken over by directors Graham Virgo and Michael Buckley just over a year ago. The opening of the shop in September 2014 proved to be hugely successful as a community event, attracting hundreds of families, who have since praised the owners for reinventing the shop into a vibrant community asset on the Douglas estate.
The owners said in a statement that they were devastated by the loss. They thanked the public for the messages of support and said they hoped to come back from the setback, but that they would have to see how things looked in the aftermath. They appealed for those with information about the incident to contact gardaí.
Scene after the fire at Broadale stores on Maryborough Hill, Cork on Saturday night.
Picture: Eddie O’Hare
The Broadale Residents’ Association said: “On behalf of Broadale residents’ committee we would like to wish the Broadale shop all the best for the future. You have been a great asset to this estate and tonight is a very sad night for all involved. Over the last few years Broadale XL stores has worked closely with us and we would like to thank you sincerely. Such nice staff to deal with, let’s hope we see you back.”
The association added that the suspected act of vandalism had cost people their business and jobs.
County councillors Marcia D’Alton and Deirdre Forde expressed their shock at the incident. Cllr D’Alton said it was devastating for the shop and that the people of Broadale did not deserve it. Cllr Forde said that after being closed for so long, the new owners put a lot into it. She added that she hoped those responsible would be caught.
Gardaí are investigating the incident. Anyone with information can call Douglas Garda Station on 021 4857670 or Togher Garda Station on 021 4947127.
Students and staff at Scoil Chroi Iosa Blarney celebrating raising the Amber Flag for promoting positive mental health.
Special guest on the day was Patrick Kelly, Ballincollig and Cork Senior footballer. Picture: Larry Cummins
THE 55th Lord Mayor’s Christmas Concert will take place on December 5, marking the start of the festive season on Leeside.
The concert, sponsored by the Evening Echo, is a major fundraiser for local charities and has grown to become a not-to-be missed event on Cork’s social calendar.
Lord Mayor Chris O’Leary said: “It is a wonderful tradition. The concert has been running for 55 years unbroken and raises a lot of funds for local charities. For most people, it will kick start the festive season.”
The line-up this year includes Cork’s newest orchestra, The Cork Concert Orchestra, which has already performed at a number of events in City Hall this year.Among the star attractions will be tenor Ryan Morgan and Niamh Caitriona O’Sullivan, a soprano from Cork, who is studying in The Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin under Dr Veronica Dunne.
Performers Ryan Morgan, tenor and Niamh Caitriona O’Sullivan at the launch of the annual Lord Mayors Christmas concert at the City Hall.
Picture: Eddie O’Hare
Tickets for the event are €10, €20 and €30 and online booking is available this year
They can be bought at Pro Musica on Oliver Plunkett Street and at the Everyman Palace box office, or online at www. everymancork.com, or by phoning 021 4501673. The corporate sector can contact Nicky Carroll at the Lord Mayor’s office in City Hall.
Eddie O’Hare’s picture shoes Carrigaline captain Barry O’Keeffe raising the Billy Long cup after defeating St Michael’s in the Cork county PIFC final at Pairc Ui Rinn yesterday
