A new hall and classrooms at Scoil Íosagain, Farranree have just been opened by Kathleen Lynch TD.

At the  opening were (from left) Carol Hennessy, Lisa O’Sullivan, Catherine Buckley, Linda Lordan and Caroline Barrett of the Parents Association.
Picture: Denis Minihane.

A NEW exhibition was officially launched by the Honorary Royal Danish Consul yesterday at CIT Cork School of Music, to mark the life and work of Danish composer, Carl Nielson who celebrates his 150th anniversary this year.
Conor Palliser, lecturer in CIT Cork School of Music, during a recital of five piano pieces of Carl Nielsen’s work at the official opening of an exhibition celebrating the 150th birthday of the Danish composer. Picture: Denis Minihane.

Danish Consul, Freddie Pederson, who had previously been honoured by Queen Margrethe of Denmark for his service to Denmark, spoke about the composer at the event.
Five of the composer’s pieces were played by CIT School of Music lecturer Conor Palliser, who also directs the Fleischmann Choir.

Freddie Pedersen, Royal Danish Consul in Cork attends the official opening of an exhibition celebrating the 150th birthday of Danish composer Carl Nielsen at CIT Cork School of Music. Video by Denis Minihane.

Multiple global events will mark Nielson’s anniversary, with events planned in countries including the Baltics, Brazil, the US, and UK.
He lived from 1865 to 1931. He was raised by poor, but musically talented, parents and he demonstrated unusual musical abilities at an early age, which eventually led to his enduring status as Denmark’s greatest composer.

Empty platforms at Kent Station this morning. Video: Larry Cummins

TRAINS from Cobh, Mallow and Midleton were among the busy Cork routes affected by this morning’s three hour rail strike.
Intensive talks at the Workplace Relations Commission yesterday failed to resolve the dispute, according to National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) president and Cork bus driver John Moloney.
He said he had initially been hopeful of a resolution but it soon became apparent that there was little chance of heading off stalemate. He added that the last thing that rail workers wanted was to disrupt passengers.
SIPTU insists that Irish Rail management has not adequately addressed the issue of pay increases for past productivity delivered by union members.
Irish Rail hit back at the unions, saying that they had rejected proposals which would have delivered increases in earnings for drivers of almost 8%, between February next year and January 2018.
A second strike is set to take place on Friday, November 6, from 6am to 9am.

Empty platforms at Kent Station this morning. Picture: Larry Cummins

Cork Girls’ Club is making a unique statement to breast cancer patients that the disease can be beaten. Sarah Horgan reports.

HUNDREDS of bras donated by Cork women bedecked the face of a city centre building as a symbol of hope during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The proud display on the Girls’ Club cancer-support-centre building, on Paul’s Avenue, last Friday, interested passers-by as well as motorists entering Paul Street car park, but the heartbreaking stories behind each bra proved most wrenching.
Sacrificing her bra was symbolic for Cobh woman, Teresa O’Donovan Wyatt, who received the all-clear from cancer just days before the event. She described the empowering statement as a throwback to the 1960s, when women burned their bras for gender equality.

Some members of The Girls Club photographed outside The Girls Club voluntary cancer support centre, Paul’s Ave., Cork, on Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Picture: Denis Minihane.

“Now, I’ve come to accept that it’s not possible. I might not be able to wear a certain type of swimsuit or evening dress, but either way I’m in my own skin.
“I’m not comfortable with flaunting my body now, but even if we can’t love our scars it’s important that we learn to accept them. For me, hanging up my bra is an expression of freedom, it’s an escape from living behind the bars of prosthetics and padding that we are all hiding behind. Everyone might look perfect in magazines, but reality can never be photoshopped.”
She took solace in the centre during her darkest hours, deriving comfort from others in her situation.
“Even if you don’t come out really happy, you at least leave with a balanced mindset, and that’s very important,” she said.
The mother-of-two reiterated the effect that battling breast cancer can have on the family of the sufferer. “Looking at my own kids, and knowing the pain they were going through, was heart-breaking. The feeling of knowing that you have gone from looking out for them to becoming the weakest link is tough to come to terms with. There were three times they had to watch me be taken to hospital by ambulance, because of sepsis.

“My friends and family were amazing. What surprised me most was that they didn’t fear my illness and, if anything, I was the one who was pushing people away. Going through cancer is like an emotional rollercoaster and I’m sure there were times when everyone was walking on eggshells around me.”
She added: “For me, having such a dedicated GP made things so much easier. When you are going through an illness like this, it’s important that you choose your GP wisely. Mine was absolutely amazing, to the extent that he was calling me out of work hours to discuss how I was doing.

A TIME lapse video of the construction of One Albert Quay gives a clear view of just how rapidly the office block has risen from the ground over the past year.

The video shows the development of the site from its clearance a year ago, the creation of the two basement levels and the construction of the seven storeys above.

The office block, developed by John Cleary Developments and built by Bam Contractors, is now more than 80% reserved and is likely to be fully occupied when it opens in February.
Much of the exterior work to One Albert Quay, the 170,000 sq ft riverside office, is now complete with internal fit out to be carried out over the coming months.
It will accommodate up to 2,000 workers when it is completed next March. Companies Tyco, PwC, Arup and Investec are already set to occupy space there.

One Albert Quay. Picture: Larry Cummins

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The Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Chris O’Leary presented  the award for Cork Carer of the Year 2015 Liz Maddox. She’s pictured with  with her husband David, at the reception hosted by him in her honour at City Hall. Also included are Peter Cox, area manager of Cork Carers Association and Reene O’Rourke, board member of CCA.

The Firkin Crane kept youngsters entertained this Hallowe’en. Working in association with Cork Community Art Link, Firkin Crane presented two  Mini Monster Balls  with lots of fun and games to get people into the spirit of things.

The Dragon of Shandon  festival was  great success this year with huge crowds supporting Saturday night’s parade.

Daniel Guinness of Dublin Hill, at the Dragon of Shandon festival on Shandon Street.

Picture: David Keane.

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Our videographer Larry Cummins was on hand at the City Hall in Cork today to capture some of the sights and sounds from The Cork Pops Orchestra.

Enjoy

Careen and Declan Wolfe of the Wolfe Stage School, Douglas, present the Circus Showcase at the Tramore Valley Park, Kinsale Road, Cork.

Careen and Declan Wolfe.

The Wolfe Stage School were delighted to produce their very own Circus Showcase in association with Circus Gerbola. The circus themed event took place in a circus big top tent located on the grounds of the Tramore Valley Park on the Kinsale Road. Drama, dance, singing and cheerleading classes were all involved in the event, which will ran from Friday November, 6th to Sunday, November 8th.

The school has been involved in numerous shows throughout the years and this year they really wanted to do something that was very different, that pushed the boundaries of the performing arts. It was a massive venture for the school and was the first performance of its kind in Cork City.

Isabel Murphy, Naoise Buckley, Hannah O’Regan and Serena McCarthy, looking very colourful at the Circus Showcase.

Dancers of the Wolfe Stage School perform at their Circus Showcase.

Dancers performing at the Circus Showcase.

Some young performers at the big top event.

The school was keen to expose their students to new performing venues and ideas, and believe that by trying different performing venues and themes, that the student’s passion for performing will be enhanced. Over the course of the 3 days, over 1,000 children dance, act and sing in the big top event.

Triplets Rachel, Hannah and Jessica O’Regan, prior to performing in the big top event.

In association with Circus Gerbola.

More than 2,000 people ran through the streets of Cork city last night to raise more than €70,000 for spinal injury research.

Runners at the start of the event.
Pic; Larry Cummins

People from all walks of life, including a number of wheelchair users, came together to raise funds for the Mark Pollock Trust, which aims to find a cure for spinal chord injuries.
Blind adventurer Mark Pollock fell from a second story window in 2010 in an incident which severely damaged his spinal cord and left him paralysed.

Eagle AC runners Tim McCarthy and Damian Kennelly with visiting runner Siobhan Coyle from Donegal.
Pic; Larry Cummins

Runners were in buoyant mood as they gathered last night on  Patrick Street for the 8pm start time for the sold-out event.
Organisers were forced to limit the number of entrants because of licensing agreements.
Each of the runners, walkers and wheelchair users paid €29 to enter the event, taking the total raised from entry fees alone to more than 70,000.
The charity says that 100% of entry fees go directly to the Mark Pollock Trust and many competitors also undertook separate fundraising activities which will be added to the overall total.

This year from November 9th to 20th, Cork Science Festival will deliver numerous workshops and shows to over 2,500 students in classrooms and venues all over Cork while over 5,000 are expected to visit the two day exhibition (Sat 14th & Sun 15th) at Cork City Hall. All this activity and excitement make Cork Science Festival one of the main partners of Science Week Ireland and one of the biggest events in the Irish science calendar.

Pictured at the completely redesigned wonderland of adventure and exploration that is City Hall this weekend was John and his sister Jennifer Brutan of Gurranabraher

Eva and Judit Nogueira of Dungarvan Cork Ray Kelleher, Ballincollig with nephew Aaron Kelleher and Cpl Michael Barrett demonstrating the HOBO mobile robot used by army bomb disposal teams. The HOBO was available for hands-on use by visitors at the science event.

Ray Kelleher, Ballincollig with nephew Aaron Kelleher and Cpl Michael Barrett demonstrating the HOBO mobile robot used by army bomb disposal teams. The HOBO was available for hands-on use by visitors at the science event.

Andrea and Matthew Herbert, Midleton undertake an experiment at the CIT stand

Tyndall National Institute research students Shumithira, Anushka, Joveria and Amandeep at the science event.

A Book of Condolences opened at City Hall today so people could pay their respects to those who list their lives in the Paris atrocity.

Patrica Mallen, Hon. French Consul in Cork, signs the Book of Condolences, with Nora Callanan, President Alliance Francaise De Cork, Kathleen Lynch TD, Lt. Col. Ray O’Lehan, 1 Brigade Collins Barracks, Cllr Terry Shannon, Lord Mayor Cllr Chris O’Leary and Cllr Ken O’Flynn.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Alliance Française de Cork on Mary Street also opened a  Book at their Mary St building and organised a vigil in solidarity with the people of France, and with the French community in Cork, at the National Monument on the Grand Parade for this evening.

Congratulations to everyone who graduated from City North College of Further Education, Knocknaheeny yesterday.

City North College of Further Education Graduation Ceremony, Knocknaheeny, Cork.
Megan Punch, Erika Morey, both from Farranree and Hailey Crowley, Blarney Street, all graduated in Hairdressing.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.

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Kieran Coniry, volunteer crew member, reading the childrens book, The Big Christmas Rescue, an RNLI festive story, during a visit by pupils from three primary schools to Crosshaven lifeboat station. Also present was Rookie the reindeer. All profits from book sales will be used to fund the charity’s lifesaving services delivered by volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards.

Kieran Coniry, volunteer crew member, photographed with Rookie the RNLI reindeer, pupils from Scoil Chrostseain, Crosshaven, and their teachers Denise Maher and Tricia O’Callaghan. 

The RNLI’s personalised festive book, ‘The Big Christmas Rescue’ is back with a special hardback version available making it the perfect Christmas gift for children this year.The book can be personalised to put young readers at the centre of a magical festive story. The buyer can select the name, gender and skin tone of the child featured in the story, adding that special touch for a truly unique gift for their own special little person.

The story is set on a wet and windy Christmas Eve when most children are tucked up in bed when Santa crashes his sleigh in the sea and volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew members go to the rescue.

New for this Christmas, the book is available in hardback for £14.95 and a special, personalised inscription to your little loved one can be included in the back. 

The book, which sold almost 15,000 copies last year, is also available in paperback for £9.95.

To order your personalised copy of The Big Christmas Rescue, go to RNLISHOP.org/BigRescue. The last order date for the book to guarantee delivery before Christmas is Sunday 13 December 2015.

Pupils of Scoil Bhríde, Crosshaven, (from left) Fleur Casey, Gracie McSorley, Laoise Quinn and Jessica Harte at the reading of the childrens book

The Big Christmas Rescue, an RNLI festive story

VOLUNTEERS at Cork Penny Dinners shed tears of joy and disbelief as Francis and John Brennan unveiled their newly refurbished kitchen and dining room.
The Little Hanover Street was renovated for this year’s At Your Service Christmas Special, which will air on RTÉ on Christmas Day.
With tears in her eyes, Caitriona Twomey, of the charity,  cut the ribbon at the new look premises yesterday.

Cork Penny Dinners reveal of the revamp, following a make over from John and Francis Brennan, as part of their RTE, At Your Service programme, at Cork Penny Dinners, Little Hanover Street, Cork.
Catriona Twomey, Cork Penny Diners and Francis Brennan.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.

“I’m just blown away. Everything is new here. New floors. New walls. Insulation. It’s incredible. You can feel the heat in here. We could never feel that before. It was always a very cold building.”
She said the Brennan brothers were “inspirational” for taking on the project and bringing it up to such a high standard.
The refurbishment was designed by Maura Hunter of MH Designs in Mallow, who suggested Cork Penny Dinners to the Brennans after working on their other projects.
“I didn’t know what I was facing. My first thought was that there was joy in here, and that’s the one thing that still is here. It was chaotic. The kitchen was bits and pieces that people donated over the years,” she said.
While they originally thought it would be a simple enough kitchen refit  with some new furniture, plaster and paint the job turned out to be much bigger.

Gunner Christy Heaphy, Gunner Alan McCormack and Sergeant Alan Lacey, all 1 Brigade, Collins Barracks, deliver food, accepted by Cork Penny Dinners Volunteer Chef, Sean O’Shea, from Tower.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.

“It turned out very big. When it started off we thought we were just doing an interior. It turned out the roof had asbestos, and we never knew the floors were so rotten. The walls had no insulation and were very wet,”
After the refurbishment, just the external walls and the benches inside are left.
The workers have been pulling 14 hour shifts to get it done on time, including starting at 5am yesterday to complete the finishing touches.
Ms Hunter said she couldn’t believe the community spirit that existed at Cork Penny Dinners.
I never knew the amount of people that came on board. There was people stopping outside in cars to help us,” she said.
“I’m proud to be a Cork woman today.”

A CORK MAN who suffered a severe head injury when assaulted in Sydney said the support from home has been incredible.
Jason Cierans, from Mount Nebo Avenue, returned to Cork on Wednesday and met family and friends at a celebration in the Commons Inn last night — three months after he was assaulted at Bondi Junction, on August 22.

Jason Cierans, celebration party with family and friends in  the Commons Inn.
Jason Cierans, (2nd from right) Gurranabraher, with his family, brother Jamie, mum Stephanie and dad, Declan.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Jason told the Evening Echo: “It feels great to be home in Cork. It has been a long time coming. The last few months have been tough for everyone and I am happy to be back.”
And the 29-year-old insisted he was not going to let the incident change the way he feels about Australia and he plans to return on January 6 for “a new year and a new beginning”.
He explained: “I have a good job and brilliant friends and this incident is not going to change the way I feel about Australia. Cork will always be home, but Australia is where my future lies.”
Jason is now expected to make a full recovery — although it may take up to two years.

Jason Cierans, (3rd from left front row) with family and friends.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.

He was discharged from hospital in early October and has been given medical clearance to return to work with a construction company in Australia for light duties, for a few hours a week.
Jason said the support shown to him by friends and neighbours in Cork had been incredible.
He flew home with his mum Stephanie, who stayed by his side since the assault. His dad and his brother returned in recent weeks.
Jason added: “It is great the way everyone rallied around and helped in whatever way they could. It has been a big help to me and my family.” He also thanked those who sent messages and organised fundraisers.
An Argentinean man has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Jason.

Cork County Cllr. Alan Coleman, former Mayor of County Cork speaks out that the political system has left the people of West Cork down.

Fire service personnel continued, until approx 3pm, to pump flood water from the streets of Bandon town after flooding overnight. Shop owners begin the big clean-up after the flooding on Pearse Street. 

BANDON is open for business is the defiant pledge today from a town devastated once again by flooding over the weekend.
Local business owners are calling for support as they reopen their doors today following the devastation of the weekend’s floods.
A public protest will also take place in the town at 7.30pm this evening, with locals invited to express their solidarity with business owners and call for immediate action for work to start on the €10m flood relief scheme.
Some 30 businesses located in the lower part of the town were swamped in up to three foot of floodwater as Storm
Desmond saw the Bandon River swell and burst its banks at around 8pm Saturday.

The clean up scene at Hickey’s Newsagents after the flooding on Pearse Street/ Bridge Street.
Pic; Larry Cummins

Fire units from Kinsale, Clonakilty and Bandon pumped water from the area around the bridge while Civil Defence and Army personnel assisted with the distribution of sandbags to stem the damage.
Reportedly the third highest flood on record in the town since 1960, Jacinta Warren, proprietor of Warren Allen
Collections, said that the water reached three feet in height inside their shop and cafe.
“We got the call at about 7.30pm on Saturday that the river was about to burst and had 25 people here clearing and moving stock upstairs until there was no more that we could do.
“We’ve been working around the clock since to clean up.”

Fire service personnel pumping flood water from the streets of Bandon town after flooding overnight. Shop owners begin the big clean-up after the flooding on Pearse Street/ Bridge Street.
Pic; Larry Cummins

Ms Warren said that the store will open today, as will many others along the main street, though the cost of repairs will be high given that they, and many local businesses do not have flood insurance.
“I met local residents with tears in their eyes even though they don’t own businesses. It has been incredible to see the amount of people calling around to see what they could do.
“I have 10 staff and their livelihoods depend on us opening.
“Bandon is open for business and we want people to come and support us.”
Local County Councillor Alan Coleman said that “questions need to be answered” regarding delays to the implementation of the town’s flood defence scheme in the wake of the most recent disaster
“I think the OPW and Minister Harris have some serious questions to answer.
“We have been told at every stage since the 2009 floods that the money is there for the flood plan to go ahead.
“The people of Bandon have been failed by the system. I think they need a fair deal and questions answered.
Councillor Margaret Murphy O’Mahony deemed the ongoing situation “an emergency”, stating that she is seeking a meeting with Minister for the OPW Simon Harris and Minister for Environment Alan Kelly to discuss the issue.
“There is €9.6m worth of funding allocated for the Bandon Flood Relief Scheme.
“However we are still waiting for this scheme to get off the ground.
“The delay is simply inexcusable and is leading to constant hardship for the people of Bandon.”
Simon Harris, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works said he wanted to “assure the community of Bandon that my Office, the Office of Public Works, is progressing the Bandon project as a matter of urgency.”
However, he said construction would be over the 2016-18 period.
“The current position is that tender documentation has been issued to a shortlist of contractors to undertake the civil works contract.
“The tenders are due back in early January, after which the assessment process will take place. The assessment process, tender report, approval process and the necessary cooling off period will be progressed as quickly as possible within the process and the works are due to start in 2016.”
The Scheme will be constructed over the 2016-2018 period.
The main elements of the proposed works include new walls and embankments, excavating the channel, replacement of the pedestrian bridge, underpinning the Bandon Bridge, new fish passages and associated drainage works, including pumping stations.
While even though Storm Desmond has cleared to the east, strong winds were expected to continue throughout today with patches of drizzle in some areas.
Tomorrow is set to be another blustery day with further rainfall.