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Irish Independent
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Cork community groups funded to keep fighting climate change through innovative projects
The funding will also go towards installing solar PV installations on community buildings across the county. The projects were selected as part of the Community Climate Action Programme for their capacity to engage communities and deliver measurable climate benefits, supporting national and local climate targets. The programme, developed and funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), aims to address climate change at a local level and support and empower communities to shape and build low carbon, sustainable communities to contribute to national climate and energy targets. 'These projects are a wonderful example of what local communities can achieve with the right support. They reflect the energy, commitment and innovation of communities across Cork County who are playing their part in taking climate action," said the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Joe Carroll. Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell, added: 'Cork County Council is committed to supporting meaningful climate action and sustainability initiatives. These projects along with the projects funded under the previous call demonstrate what can be achieved through partnership with local communities. We will continue to work closely with local communities to drive forward our shared climate goals.' The eleven community groups in County Cork to receive the climate action funding are the Tiny Feet Fairy Garden in Macroom, Charleville Tidy Towns, Kiskeam Development Association, Mitchelstown Scout Group, Dromina Community Council, Araglen Carnival, Freemount Community Development Association, Lisgoold/Leamlara Community Council, Aghinagh GAA, Conna Community Council Housing for the Elderly Association CLG, and Newmarket GAA. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Good news for Cork book lovers in three key towns as library open hours expand to year-round service
The My Open Library service enables registered users to access a library from 8 am to 10 pm, 365 days a year, even when it's not staffed. The service was already available at Bandon and Fermoy libraries and Cork County Council has now rolled it out to three more locations with plans to add Mallow later in the year. Funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) and Cork County Council, the My Open Library installation at Carrigaline, Kinsale, and Mallow Libraries has generated a 145% increase in the number of available service hours to the community at each location, rising from 40 hours to 98 hours per week. Speaking at the launch, Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities and with responsibility for Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer TD, said: 'It is fantastic to see that the service is currently available in 23 of our 30 library authorities and I must praise our library authorities and library staff for being so progressive in meeting the needs of their communities. Our public libraries are a home-from-home for our elderly, our young people, and our new communities and now they will be able to avail of those services every day of the year, from morning till night.' Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell, said: "The expansion is a strategic ambition for Cork County Council's Library & Arts Service which aims to improve access, use and visibility of the library as a community hub, and as a focal point for community and cultural development. The success of My Open Library is in the flexibility that it offers communities to visit their local library at a time that works for them. More than 50,000 visits have been made to Bandon and Fermoy libraries outside of regular library opening hours since 2022 with increased usage by students, remote workers, families, older adults and community groups.' The launch of the My Open Library service coincided with the opening of the newly refurbished Carrigaline Library. The upgrades include a young adult zone with relaxed seating, a remodelled children's area with more books and children's worktables for homework, crafts and games, and comfortable seating in the windows for reading and watching the world go by. The multifunction community meeting room can be booked for use during the day and in the evening during My Open Library hours. Bike racks have also been installed outside to facilitate sustainable travel. 'Libraries are at the heart of our towns and villages, providing so much more than books,' Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll said, adding: 'They are community hubs and safe spaces to study, learn and work. The newly refurbished Carrigaline Library is a bright, welcoming, modern, high-tech space that has a place for everyone." Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Irish Independent
Cork's lifeguards are back patrolling the beaches as bathing season gets underway
Corkman It's always a welcome sign that summer has arrived: County Cork's lifeguards will be back on the beaches this weekend in their distinctive yellow and red outfits, playing a vital role in keeping swimmers and paddlers safe. This year's bathing season kicks off for Cork County Council's Beach Lifeguard Teams on the June Bank Holiday Weekend with the guards on duty at 12 of the county's beaches from 10.30am until 7.00pm, starting on Saturday May 31. The lifeguarded beaches are Front Strand, Claycastle and Redbarn in Youghal, Garryvoe, Fountainstown, Inchydoney, Owenahincha, The Warren, Garrylucas, Garretstown, Tragumna and Barleycove. And when you're at the beach it's easy to know whether a lifeguard is on duty because you'll see a red and yellow flag. The lifeguards will be on duty each weekend in June, for seven days a week in July and August, and for the first two weekends in September. They're chosen after a competitive application process, including a swim rescue test, and the successful applicants need to hold a Beach Lifeguard Award from the Irish Water Safety Association and have thorough knowledge of resuscitation methods. It may not be quite as glamorous as "Baywatch" but in return for keeping Cork's busiest beaches safe they can earn close to €20 an hour. Last summer, the county's lifeguards reunited fifteen children with their parents. They're reminding parents and guardians that 'Holding Hands Saves Lives' and to supervise children at all times. They're also asking people not to bring inflatable toys to the beach this summer. Inflatable boats, beds and toys are unsafe to use on open water due to the strong and changeable winds we experience throughout most of the summer. Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Joe Carroll, welcomed the news: 'It is a reassuring sight to see lifeguards patrolling our beaches in County Cork. They are the experts when it comes to tides, weather conditions and the risks. I am encouraging everyone to enjoy our beaches safely this summer, we all have a part to play. Swim at lifeguarded beaches, pay attention to the flags, look out for one another, and listen to the lifeguards.' Beachgoers should also pay attention to the Water Safety Flag system. A red over yellow flag means the lifeguards are on duty. You should swim between the red and yellow flags close and parallel to the shore as this is the area that the lifeguards are patrolling. A red flag means that swimming is not advised and a black and white chequered one marks the area for surfing only. Finally, no flag means there's no lifeguard on duty at the moment. Now all we need is the good weather to continue! Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Climate
- Irish Independent
Cork's lifeguards are back patrolling the beaches as bathing season gets underway
This year's bathing season kicks off for Cork County Council's Beach Lifeguard Teams on the June Bank Holiday Weekend with the guards on duty at 12 of the county's beaches from 10.30am until 7.00pm, starting on Saturday May 31. The lifeguarded beaches are Front Strand, Claycastle and Redbarn in Youghal, Garryvoe, Fountainstown, Inchydoney, Owenahincha, The Warren, Garrylucas, Garretstown, Tragumna and Barleycove. And when you're at the beach it's easy to know whether a lifeguard is on duty because you'll see a red and yellow flag. The lifeguards will be on duty each weekend in June, for seven days a week in July and August, and for the first two weekends in September. They're chosen after a competitive application process, including a swim rescue test, and the successful applicants need to hold a Beach Lifeguard Award from the Irish Water Safety Association and have thorough knowledge of resuscitation methods. It may not be quite as glamorous as "Baywatch" but in return for keeping Cork's busiest beaches safe they can earn close to €20 an hour. Last summer, the county's lifeguards reunited fifteen children with their parents. They're reminding parents and guardians that 'Holding Hands Saves Lives' and to supervise children at all times. They're also asking people not to bring inflatable toys to the beach this summer. Inflatable boats, beds and toys are unsafe to use on open water due to the strong and changeable winds we experience throughout most of the summer. Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Joe Carroll, welcomed the news: 'It is a reassuring sight to see lifeguards patrolling our beaches in County Cork. They are the experts when it comes to tides, weather conditions and the risks. I am encouraging everyone to enjoy our beaches safely this summer, we all have a part to play. Swim at lifeguarded beaches, pay attention to the flags, look out for one another, and listen to the lifeguards.' Beachgoers should also pay attention to the Water Safety Flag system. A red over yellow flag means the lifeguards are on duty. You should swim between the red and yellow flags close and parallel to the shore as this is the area that the lifeguards are patrolling. A red flag means that swimming is not advised and a black and white chequered one marks the area for surfing only. Finally, no flag means there's no lifeguard on duty at the moment. Now all we need is the good weather to continue! Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Irish Independent
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Tipperary man hailed for role in Arsenal's Champions League title
Cahir's Paudie Roche is head strength and conditioning coach with Arsenal Tributes have been paid to a Tipperary man who was behind the Arsenal ladies Champions League win over the weekend. Paudie Roche from Cahir is the lead strength and conditioning coach with the north London women's team who took the Champions League trophy with a win over Barcelona at the weekend. At the May meeting of the Tipperary-Cahir-Cashel Municipal District, councillors in the district extended their congratulations to the local man who heled the team to victory. Speaking at the meeting, Cahir councillor Andy Moloney extended an official congratulations to the local man. "Paudie Roche of Cahir, he started off with Munster youths, Munster Rugby, and went into Arsenal and he's the head [strength and conditioning] coach of the Arsenal ladies football team who won the Champions League at the weekend,' Cllr Moloney said. "I'd extend a vote of congratulations to Paudie on that,' the independent councillor added. The Tipperary man, as well as the extended Arsenal backroom team helped to lead the ladies team to a 1-0 victory over Barcelona at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal. Irish woman Katie McCabe was also on the team which won Arsenal's first Champions League trophy in 18 years. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
