I have been asked alot at the doors regarding what can I do? Well as you can see from my biography, I’m a historian,geographer and teacher/ educationalist. I have been working with communities for over fifteen years now especially running local history and European studies programmes (lectures, writing, workshops, surveys, publishing). So I carry a professional toolkit to carry out educational and community initiatives.
As part of my pre-election day programme, I have planned a number of community events. The first three I have held
(1) a Parish Ceili in Ballinlough
(2) a pier clean-up in Blackrock
and (3) two community meeetings, one in Blackrock Castle and the other in Blackrock Hurling Club.
They were all aimed to gauge more of the local issues in my ward and also to give local people a forum to talk about their concerns and to discuss, debate and even celebrate community life and all that the south east of the city has to offer.
The next initiative is also a community based one and is aimed at the younger generation in the ward. It is an art competition which encourages all young people to become more creative and to become more involved in the world around us. Information has already been sent into schools in the south east part of the city. The project is being co-ordinated by Ballinlough resident Norah Porter who I met in my canvass travels and who is developing a business in art education for children.
McCarthy’s
ART COMPETITION
Theme:
“My Neighbourhood”
OPEN TO ALL YOUNG PEOPLE IN
SOUTH EAST CORK CITY
CATEGORIES:
National School: 4-6, 7-9, 10-12
Secondary School: All levels
Drawing or painting
on a A4 page,
must be colourful
Each category winner will receive a E.100 worth of art equipment.
AN EXHIBITION OF ALL WORK WILL
TAKE PLACE IN BLACKROCK HURLING
CLUB ON SUNDAY 10 MAY, 2-5p.m.
Submission date: Friday 1 May 2009
If a young person is interested in entering the competition, an adult may contact the artist facilitator Norah Porter, 086 255 3216 or myself (Kieran) at 087 655 3389. Norah will be collected all artwork from participating schools. Apart from that, those children from schools not participating can send all artwork to McCarthy’s Art Competition, C/o Kieran McCarthy, Richmond Villa, Douglas Road, Cork with name, category, address and contact details on the back of the picture (By 1 May).
