Category Archives: Improve Your Life

Ocean to City Maritime Festival 2011 Begins

June 3, 2011Cork City Events, Improve Your Life, Uncategorizedadmin

This Saturday afternoon (4^th June), the Ocean to City race will take place and the Ocean to City Maritime Festival 2011 will begin. Ocean to City, an annual event, is a rowing race open to all types of traditional & fixed seat rowing boats over a course of 15 miles through Cork Harbour. Ocean to City – An Rás Mór aims to bring together rowers, volunteers and the wider community in a celebration of Cork’s maritime heritage and the beautiful Cork Harbour. The organising team is part of Meitheal Mara based at Crosses Green House, Cork. Meitheal Mara is a registered charity working in the areas of boatbuilding, rowing & woodwork training with various groups including youth & the long-term unemployed. More information can be found at www.oceantocity.com.

As part of the Ocean to City Festival Cllr. Kieran McCarthy is running a Make a Model Boat Project for Cork’s young people. All interested must make a model boat at home from recycled materials and bring it along for judging to the Atlantic Pond on Sunday afternoon, 12 June 2011, 2pm. See www.kieranmccarthy.ie under community programme for details and an application form.

Historical Walking Tour for Irish Heart Foundation, 28 May 2011

May 23, 2011Cork City Events, Cork History, Improve Your Life, Uncategorizedadmin

On Saturday evening 28 May 2011, Cllr Kieran McCarthy will give a historical walking tour in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation. It starts at 6pm and finishes at Cissie Young’s Pub, Bandon Road followed by finger food and ballad session. The cost is E.20 and all proceeds go to the Irish Heart Foundation, Contact Joan Fuller for more details, 087-9079318.

The Irish Heart Foundation is the national charity fighting stroke and heart disease, funded up to 90 per cent by public and corporate donations. The vision is that every person living in Ireland will live a long, active and healthy life free from heart, stroke and blood vessel disease.Their mission is to lead in improving the cardiovascular health of people living in Ireland so they do not experience disability or die from preventable heart, stroke and other blood vessel diseases.

Sunset over North Channel, River Lee

2011 Darren Swanton Memorial Great Stuff Caterers Cork City Rally Sprint, 22 May Plus Capping Pictures!

May 18, 2011Cork City Events, Cork History, Improve Your Life, Uncategorized, Ward Eventsadmin

The 2011 Darren Swanton Memorial Great Stuff Caterers Cork City Rally Sprint will take place at the Kinsale Road civic amenity site on Sunday, 22 May.

The rally is named in honour of Darren Swanton — a former Cork Motor Club (CMC) member and motorsport fan from Grange, who died of cancer in 2009, aged 30.

The inaugural rally last year, which was won by Brian O’Keeffe, raised just over €28,000 for local charities. Organisers are hoping to top that amount this year. The main beneficiary will be Marymount Hospice, which cared for Darren in the final stages of his illness.

Marymount is due to open its new hospice at Curraheen later this year.

Brian Allen, whose company Great Stuff Caterers is sponsoring the event, said he was delighted to support the cause again. The event is being organised and promoted by Cork Motor Club in association with Cork City Council and the Bishopstown Lions Club.

The pictures below are of the landfill site, the c.180 acres, which are now nearly fully capped by a minimum of five feet in top soil, with nearly E.30 million spent on creating a public park, the grass on which will be planted next month!

Capping, Kinsale Road Landfill, 17 May 2011

Capping, Kinsale Road Landfill, Cork, 17 May 2011

Capping, leachate collection section, Kinsale Road Landfill, Cork, 17 May

Capping, Kinsale Road Landfill, Cork, 17 May 2011

Launch of Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, Kinsale Road landfill, Cork, 20 May 2011

Music Generation through Music Education Partnerships (By Gerry Kelly)

May 15, 2011Arts, Cork City Events, Improve Your Life, Uncategorizedadmin

To the outside Cork would seem to do very well when it comes to music – it’s associated with many famous names in the musical world, from Sean O Riada to the Frank & Walters, John Spillane to Cara O’Sullivan, and many others. At academic level music is well catered for, with diploma and degree courses offered at CIT Cork School of Music & UCC.

But Cork, like many other cities, is divided and the area where you are born defines your opportunities – this is as true of music as it is of life in general. Despite this, in small pockets in the most unlikely of settings, across the northside of Cork, something magical is happening – in a prefab in Knocknaheeny, in a primary school in the Glen, in Cope Foundation in Mayfield, children are being taught a variety of musical instruments and it’s causing quite a stir.

It’s this type of activity we want to see happening in all areas of the city, especially in RAPID areas – and a new scheme, the brainchild of U2, offers Cork the chance to do this. RAPID is a government scheme aimed at improving the quality of life of people living in disadvantaged areas – the letters stand for Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment & Development.

U2 has donated €5m in an effort to give other young people the opportunity they had to learn to play instruments when they attended Mount Temple on the northside of Dublin. This national music education initiative Music Generation was announced in 2009 by U2, together with the Ireland Funds and Music Network, and is supported by the Department of Education and Skills.

It’s the intention of Music Generation through Music Education Partnerships to deliver new opportunities for vocal and instrumental tuition for young people and to raise the profile of Music Education in Ireland. In order to apply for funding under the scheme, a Music Education Partnership (MEP) has been formed in Cork City.

The Cork City Music Education Partnership believes in the right of every child to have the opportunity to learn music. If its application is successful it will set up programmes where gaps exist, where little or no instrumental or vocal tuition is available for young people. Classes, courses & performance opportunities will be offered to young people from pre-school age to 18. They will take place in a variety of settings – in crèches, schools, community centres, youth projects.

Members of the Steering Group of the Cork MEP are: Cork City Council, Cork VEC, UCC, CIT, the HSE, Cork Academy of Music, Cork Music Works, Togher Music Project, Barrack Street Band, 1st Band of the Southern Brigade, Comhaltas, Togher Music Project, Secondary and Primary school representatives.

McCarthy’s Make a Model Boat Project, 2011

May 11, 2011Arts, Cork City Events, Enterprise, Improve Your Life, Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Eventsadmin

Cllr. Kieran McCarthy's 'Make a Model Boat Project', 2011

Cllr Kieran MCCarthy's 'Make a Model Boat Project, 2011

Discover Cork: Schools’ Heritage Project 2011, County Cork Edition Results

May 10, 2011Cork History, Improve Your Life, National, Uncategorizedadmin

Another year, well done to all the students involved in the Discover Cork: Schools’ Heritage Project 2011! Results below for the county schools. The award ceremony was last Thursday, 5 May, 2011 at 7pm in Silversprings Convention Centre, Cork! Thanks to the sponsors, Students, Schools, Kieran McCarthy, Mervyn Horgan of Lifetime Lab, Cork and Sean Kelly of Lucky Meadows Equestrian Centre, Watergrasshill

Fourth Class Individual:

1. Ronan Quirke, Emigration from Kinsale in the 1940s, Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin, Co. Chorcaí (teacher: B. O’Muirgheasa)

2. Meadbh O’Riordan, My Family Connection with Kilmichael Ambush, Muinefliuch N.S., Macroom (teacher: E. Foley)
3. Lauren Healy, Carrigadrohid Dam, Muinefliuch N.S., Macroom (teacher: E. Foley)
4. Laura Phelan, St Finbarr & the Battle of Kilnaglory, Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin, Co. Chorcaí (teacher: B. O’Muirgheasa)

5. Fionn Heffernan, The Port of Cork, Muinefliuch N.S., Macroom (teacher: E. Foley)

Fourth Class Group:

1. Cillian Fitzpatrick, Ray Shanahan, Evan Browne, Reenacreena Stone Circle, Reenacreena N.S. (teacher: M.Ronan)

2. Anna Hourihane, Ava Jones, Ellen O’Driscoll, Lorna O’Brien, The History of Reenascreena Village, Reenascreena N.S. (teacher: M. Ronan)
3. Aodhbha Pleimionn, Aoife Gallagher, Ballea Castle, Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin, Co. Chorcai (teacher: B. O’Muirgheasa)

4. Cathal Creedon, Christopher Scanlon, Eddie Duggan, Seán O’Leary, Archaeological Sites in our Area, Muinefliuch N.S., Macroom (teacher: E. Foley)
5. Eamonn Shanahan, Jack O’Sullivan, David O’Regan, Peter Óg Hill, Farming in Reenascreena, Reenacreena N.S. (teacher: M.Ronan)

Fourth Class:

1. Cork City Bridges, Scoil Nioclais, Frankfield (teacher: M. O’Brien)

2. Gaeilscoil Charraig Uí Leighin, Co. Chorcai, 25 Bliain ag Fás, Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin, Co. Chorcaí (teacher: B. O’Muirgheasa)

3. The Summit of Desertserges, Ahiohill N.S. (teacher: C. McCarthy)

4. The Famine in West Cork, Castlelack N.S., Bandon (teacher: V. Vaughan)

5^th / 6^th Primary Individual:

1. Matty Casey, Art Ó Laoghaire, Muinefliuch N.S., Macroom (teacher E. Foley)

2. Eabha Landers, A Scrapbook Through Time, Riverstown N.S. (teacher: D. Fitzgerald)

3. Michelle Lehane, The History of Fortgrady & Knockbrack Ambush, St. Brendan’s N.S., Rathcoole (teacher: M. O’Brien)

4. Lily Carey, My Family History, Castlelack N.S., Bandon (teacher: V. Vaughan)

Joint fifth:

Jake Adair, My Family History, Muinefliuch N.S., Macroom (teacher: E. Foley)

Gerard O’Hanlon, Kilcorney Creamery, St. Brendan’s N.S., Rathcoole (teacher: M. O’Brien)

5^th / 6^th Primary Group:

1. Michelle Crowley, Alexandra Lehrell, Killinardrish House and Gardens, Canovee N.S. (teacher: E. McCarthy)

2. Helen Dunne, Angie Moynihan, Shaunagh O’Sullivan, Shauna Lyons, Bawnatemple Graveyard, Canovee N.S. (teacher: E. McCarthy)

3. Jake Mulley, Aoibhne Creedon, Bawnmore Creamery, Muinefliuch N.S., Macroom (teacher: E. Foley)

4. Ava Long, Ellen Sheehan, Laura O’Dwyer, Mushera Mór & Mushera Beag, St. Brendan’s N.S., Rathcoole (teacher: M. O’Brien)

5. Ciaran Welband, Conor Frost, Peter Whelton, The Great Famine in West Cork, Ardfield N.S., Clonakilty (teacher: O. Whelton)

5^th / 6^th Primary Class:

1. Early West Cork Settlers, Ardfield N.S., Clonakilty (teacher: O.Whelton)

2. The Parish of Leap and Glandore, The Prides of Our Parish, Glandore N.S. (teacher: N. Whelton)

3. Classic Crosshaven, Scoil Bhríde, Crosshaven (teacher: S.O’Connor)

4. Derry Castle, Ahiohill N.S. (teacher: C. McCarthy)

Joint fifth:

5.Rosscarbery, Small Town, Proud People, A Heritage Tour, Glandore N.S. (teacher: N. Whelton)

5.Times Past in Whitegate, Whitegate N.S. (teacher: N. Mulcahy)

Junior Certificate Individual:

1. Naoise Ducker, The Legend of Priest’s Leap, St. Goban’s College, Bantry (teacher: J. Warren)

2. Cathal Hurley, West Cork Railway, St. Goban’s College, Bantry (teacher: J. Warren)

3. Niamh Buttimer, An Irish Man, Dr. Pat O’Callaghan, St. Goban’s College, Bantry (teacher: J. Warren)

4. Andy Forsythe, Kilmichael, St. Francis College, Rochestown (teacher: E. Henchion)

Junior Certificate Group:

1. Michael Healy, Madi McKenzie, Nathan Swanton, Aaron Barry, Bantry Fair Day, Then and Now, St. Goban’s College, Bantry (teacher: J. Warren)

2. Kate Mulcahy, Aoife Heffernan, Zoe Sohun, Our Project is on Conna Castle, Loretto Secondary School, Fermoy (teacher: M. Walsh)

3. Laura Ahern, Marie Clare Caplice, The Life, Work and Residence of Elizabeth Bowen, Loretto Secondary School, Fermoy (teacher: M. Walsh)

4. Clodagh Maye, Kate Enright, The History of Loretto Secondary School, Loretto Secondary School, Fermoy (teacher: M. Walsh)

Leaving Certificate Individual:

1. Radek Zuk, Roots in Gryfow, Branches in Mallow, Davis College, Mallow (teacher: C. Stanton)

2. Orla O’Connor, The History of the O’Keeffe Family, Davis College, Mallow (teacher: C. Stanton)

3. Ciaran McCarthy, Guide to the Boggeragh Mountains, Davis College, Mallow (teacher: C. Stanton)

Leaving Certificate Group:

1. Jamie O’Sullivan, Barry O’Neil, Ballyclough, Davis College, Mallow (teacher: C. Stanton)

2. 2. Cathal McGrath, Stuart Dineen, Peter Foyle, Finbarr Carroll, The Building and Areas of Mallow, Davis College, Mallow (teacher: C. Stanton)

Leaving Certificate Class:

1. Heritage Trails of Crosshaven, Transition Year Group (teacher: P. O’ Connell)

Community Heritage Awards

Margaret McElroy, My Grandmother, Muinefliuch N.S. (teacher: E. Foley)

Mathew Flynn, Dylan Trindles, A History of the Lower Harbour of Cork, Whitegate N.S. (teacher: F. Cavallo)

Best Model Entry (sponsored by Stephen Pearce Pottery)

1. Aideen Butler, Clonakilty Junction, Ardfield N.S., Clonakilty (teacher: O.Whelton)

Best Overall School Effort

Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin

Deputy Lord Mayor – Cork International Choral Festival, 27 April-1 May 2011

May 2, 2011Arts, Cork City Events, Improve Your Life, International, Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorizedadmin

I had the priviledge of attending three concerts over the weekend for the Cork International Choral Festival, two of which I had the honour of deputising for the Lord Mayor. Well done to everyone involved.

Founded in 1954 to be a dynamic force in developing choral music in Ireland, the Cork International Choral Festival is held annually over the five days preceding the first Monday in May. Cork welcomes choirs from across the world for a programme of gala concerts, schools concerts, national and international competition, and world-class performances as thousands of participants bring the city to life for a celebration of choral music in all its many forms.

One of Europe’s premier international choral festivals, Cork is noted for its high standards, eclectic and wide-ranging programme, and the friendliness of its welcome. Festival events and performances centre around Cork’s City Hall, capacity 1,000; one of the most attractive and acoustically superb venues in Ireland.

Each year some of the finest amateur international choirs are selected to compete for the prestigious Fleischmann International Trophy. The selected choirs also participate in a wide range of festival events, which include fringe concerts, taking part in our church interchange programme across Cork city and county, and informal public performances which see choirs popping up throughout Cork in new and unexpected locations throughout the duration of the festival! The presence of these choirs from throughout the world gives audiences and Irish choirs alike the unique opportunity of hearing a diverse range of concerts and repertoire performed.

As well as foreign choirs, the festival annually features up to 100 Adult, Youth and School choirs who participate in National Competitions. Overall the festival attracts some 5,000 participants. The festival continues to ensure that choral music, representative of many historical and cultural traditions, is brought to the people of Cork and the many visitors who we are delighted to welcome to the city for the event.

http://www.corkchoral.ie/index.php/home.html

Cork International Choral Festival, Cork City Hall, 30 May 2011,

Cork International Choral Festival, Swiss Entry, Cork City Hall, 30 May 2011

Cork International Choral Festival, Swiss Entry, Cork City Hall, 30 April 2011

Cork International Choral Festival, Irish Entry, Cork City Hall, 30 April 2011

Cork International Choral Festival, Slovenia Entry, Cork City Hall, 30 April 2011

Cork International Choral Festival, Swedish Entry, Cork City Hall, 30 April 2011

Cork International Choral Festival, South Korea Entry, Cork City Hall, 30 April

Cork International Choral Festival, South Korea Entry, Cork City Hall, 30 April 2011

Final, McCarthy’s Community Talent Competition, 27 April 2011

April 29, 2011Arts, Cork City Events, Improve Your Life, Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Eventsadmin

Sunset, view from Vertigo Suite, Cork County Hall, McCarthy's Community Talent Competition, 27 April 2011

Last Wednesday (27th April, 2011), the final of my third year of my Community Talent Competition took place at the Vertigo Suite or the 17th floor of Cork County Hall. Thanks to everyone for their support. I would like to thanks the finalists for their determination! You were all great! well done!

Junior Section:

Alexandria O’Donnell

Aisha McCarthy

Kelly Ann O’Flynn

The Pixie Chicks Group

Helen Nagle

Emma Field & Sarah Cronin (second place)

Aisling Donnelly (first place)

Pretty Little Liars Group (fourth place)

Cillian O’Sulivan (third place)

Senior Section:

Taylor Webster (second place)

Laurie O’Donnell (joint third place)

Ciara Crowley (joint third place)

Shannon White (first place)

My thanks also to Rob our video man, our sound man, Nicki Ffrench Davies and Livy Riordan for their mentoring, our judges Clare and Tess for their time and patience and Yvonne Coughlan of Red Sandstone Varied Productions for producing the project as always with enthusiam and flare!.

Kieran and senior participants, McCarthy's Community Talent Competition, 27 April 2011

Kieran and winner of junior section, McCarthy's Community Talent Competition, 27 April 2011

Crowd and participants, Vertigo Suite, Top of County Hall, Cork, McCarthy's Community Talent Competition, 27 April 2011

Final participant, McCarthy's Community Talent Competition, 27 April 2011

Final participant, McCarthy's Community Talent Competition, 27 April

Final participants, McCarthy's Community Talent Competition, 27 April 2011

Final participant group, McCarthy's Community Talent Competition, 27 April 2011

Final participant, McCarthy's Community Talent Competition, 27 April 2011

Final participant group, McCarthy's Community Talent Competition, 27 April 2011

Final participant, McCarthy's Community Talent Competition, 27 April 2011

Judges, McCarthy's Community Talent Competition, 27 April 2011

Finalist participant group, McCarthy's Community Talent Competition, 27 April 2011

Support banner, McCarthy's Community Talent Competition, 27 April 2011

Final participant, McCarthy's Community Talent Competition, 27 April 2011

Finalist participant, McCarthy's Community Talent Competition, 27 April 2011

Senior winner, McCarthy's Community Talent Competition, 27 April 2011

Trophies, McCarthy's Community Talent Competition, 27 April 2011

Poster, McCarthy's Community Talent Competition, 27 April 2011

Yvonne Coughlan, Red Sandstone Varied Productions, producer, McCarthy's Community Talent Competition, 27 April 2011

C.103Fm interview with Kieran, 6pm, Wednesday 27 April 2011

April 27, 2011Arts, Cork City Events, Improve Your Life, Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorizedadmin

Check out Cork c.103fm at 6pm this evening (Wednesday 27 April). I’m on with Martina O’Donoghue on my life and times she told me plus some of my favourite tunes!

listen online here: http://www.c103.ie/

Deputy Lord Mayor, Friends of Marymount Hospice, Luncheon, 13 April 2011

April 13, 2011Cork City Events, Improve Your Life, Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorizedadmin

I had the great privilege of deputising for the Lord Mayor at the Friends of Marymount Hospice luncheon today, well done to all)

(below is adapted from my speech notes)

I am a big fan of your organisation, your name goes before you in the Cork region. You are a strong organisation and have strong branches. These branched remain strong with your strong roots or foundations and your belief in what you do, which are regularly replenished by your and other fundraising efforts all in a bid to raise funding for St. Patrick’s Hospital and Marymount Hospice.

It has been 7 years since my own involvement in the book, A Dream Unfolding, which attempted to document the history of the hospital and hospice. It led the reader through a range of experiences and memories about how the various departments came into being. From Dr. Patrick Murphy’s request to the role of the Sisters of Charity to the construction of the hospital in 1870 to the expansion of the hospital in the 20^th century. The book finished up at the outset of another dream or aspiration, that of a new hospice, which in the next couple of months will open. Since 2004, alot of things have changed for St. Patrick’s Hospital and Marymount Hospice – the selling of the convent, the moving on of the sisters and the upping of the ante of fundraising for the new facility at Curaheen.

But one thing hasn’t changed and that is the ethos of what needs to be done. Finance is essential but something I find very interesting is how so many people engage with the actual process of fundraising, the actual idea of active citizenship, the idea of taking ownership of a situation and trying to resolve it.

Ireland at the moment is going through a very tough economic phase in its evolution. And much effort is being put into rebuilding the economy whereas less effort is being put into rebuilding society. The country, yes, badly needs an economic plan but so do Irish communities.

We need leaders in our communities like yourselves to show us alternatives in our lives – to show part of our lives that perhaps we have never explored – to help us to connect to other people so perhaps each one of use at a minimum is illuminated by advice or a nugget of wisdom… and that we have the ability to be open minded to other people and other ideas. Ultimately, people do need direction, something to work toward.

Ultimately, I reckon when you think about your life, to live a happy productive on a minimum basis and whether we deem a need for them or not- We need to be listened to and to listen… we need to be inspired and to inspire… we need to be encouraged and to encourage… be empowered and to empower… be enabled by action and to enable action … we need to be cared for and to care.

All of us here have experience of those basic actions and their relevance in our own lives.

Our communities need a plan to create a better society, something that is better that what we left during the now mythic Celtic Tiger days. We need to take responsibility for part of this plan

We need realistic steps to achieve that. Friends of Marymount Hospice is a realistic project. All too often we hear about a general vision for Irish community life but ultimately we need engines…drivers like yourselves to move it forward.

Community leaders are like giant spotlights in the sky; they can and will continue to uphold human values for all to see and replicate, they can send out the message that we do need to care – care about something… to do something purposeful…to move yourself forward… to hone our personal talents, which we all have or even seek advice.

Today’s Society needs all of those traits in abundance.

The other thing that strikes me is the move from the old to the new building. There will be I have no doubt be a nervousness and anxiety and alot of patience needed. But I wish to quote Sr. Dolores who I worked with in 2004 on the book who noted in the foreword and I quote:

“There are places that are important to us as we journey through life and somehow they become sacred to us. When we look at the history of St Patrick’s Hospital/Marymount Hospice we sense this sacredness and we are immediately aware of the spirituality of the place. We are reminded of all the people, who, over the years journeyed to this place on the last stage of their pilgrimage in life and the families and friends who visited and supported them.

Today our Sisters and staff continue to keep Mary Aikenhead’s vision alive through the Mission Statement of St. Patrick’s Hospital/Marymount Hospice:

Inspired by Mother Mary Aikenhead:

We continue the healing ministry of Christ by our care

for all entrusted to us;

We cherish the uniqueness and dignity of each person;

We value and foster mutual respect and understanding;

We endeavour to continuously improve all aspects of our mission.”

Over the next couple of months, best of luck in your mission moving forward; another chapter begins, another legacy begins, history is being made but ultimately the need to do something and to care for humanity shines through.

I am delighted to be present at the luncheon.

…Thank you and best of luck going forward.

St. Patrick's Hospital, Wellington Road