16 September 2026
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
News from Corks’ largest town, with thanks to Barry Cogan
Culture Night in Carrigaline
It is great to see that so much is going on in Carrigaline for Culture Night. With eight venues, over 40 dancers between Kiely Walsh Academy and ELC School of Dance, over 30 singers between a choir, buskers, a concert in the GAA hall and Carrigaline Musical Society (on the Owenabue carpark stage., over 20 musicians with Carrigdhoun Comhaltas and the C’ukes with their ukuleles and our one and only World Champion Pipe Band.
There is something for everyone this year from the very young; Story telling as Gaeilge in the Carrigaline Bookshop, arts and craft workshop in the Library (booking required) and Music Therapy in the Lions Club.
Our local artists will be showing their hard work in SuperValu, Romanos and The Family Resource Centre. Amazing photographs are on display with an exhibition by Janet O’ Leary in the Library and the Photographic Society in SuperValu mall along with craft from members of the Men’s Shed. Why not drop in and tell you story with Carraig ag Caint. Beidh am iontach againn.
Ballinrea Cross Roadworks
The recent adjustments to the busy Ballinrea Road crossroads by Cork County Council to make it safer has not been perceived as a success. East West traffic gets priority over to Ballinrea Road traffic servicing Carrigaline, Douglas and the city. Safety at Ballinrea Cross has been debated for over 50 years, a roundabout was proposed and it still seems to be the best option.
In Semi Final
Carrigaline senior footballers beat Douglas by 22 points to one goal and 12 points at Shanbally last Sunday and created their own bit of history for the club by qualifying for the County semi-final. This is a major achievement for the club who now go onto the semi-final in four week’s time. Congratulations to Manager Michael Meaney and his back room team and all the players involved. The club grounds and pavilion are a hive of activity every day of the week as the hurlers and footballers across all ages and grades as well as the camogie and ladies football teams train and play. The club now has four pitches, two juvenile pitches one Astroturf pitch for young children and a ball wall.
Carrigdhoun Comhaltas launches new traditional music classes in Carrigaline
Carrigdhoun Comhaltas is delighted to announce the launch of its new programme of traditional Irish music classes for children and adults. Classes begin this coming Tuesday the 22 September at Gaelcholáiste Charraig Uí Leighin from 5pm.
The new branch is currently enrolling students and welcomes musicians of all ages and abilities, from complete beginners to those who already have experience playing. Classes will be offered in a wide range of traditional instruments, including fiddle, banjo, mandolin, button accordion, concertina, bodhrán, flute and tin whistle. Additional instruments may also be introduced where there is sufficient interest.
Carrigdhoun Comhaltas aims to create a vibrant local community around traditional Irish music, providing opportunities for people to learn, play and enjoy Irish music together. The branch also hopes to encourage younger generations to engage with and carry forward our rich musical traditions and language.
There will be an opportunity to hear some of the musicians involved with Carrigdhoun Comhaltas this Friday, September 18, as part of Culture Night 2026. Members of the committee will be performing on the main stage in Owenabue Car Park, Carrigaline, at 6.30pm. Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy an evening of music and celebrate the launch of Culture Night in the community.
Enrolment is still open for our Autumn term but the window is closing soon, anyone interested in joining or finding out more is encouraged to get in touch.
For further information and enrolment, contact Aisling on 087 610 83337, or follow Carrigdhoun Comhaltas on Facebook.
Lions Club
The Carrigaline Lions Club have a busy time in the days ahead. This Thursday they will make a cheque presentation to the Carrigaline First Responders, the proceeds of the Duck Race which was held in June. On this Friday, September 18 Culture Night the Lions Club will unveil a sculpture on Pottery Road at 7 pm. Then on Saturday next September 26 they will hold their 35th annual cycle classic in aid of Marymount Hospice. Numbers taking part are well up on last year, anyone interested can register online.
Pioneer Lunch
The annual Pioneer Lunch and Social takes place in Actons Hotel Kinsale on Sunday, October 4th at 1:30 pm. Music by Lee Sound, tickets from local centres or Barry 087 813 7990, Aislinn 087 9699 488, Mary Warren 021 437 1025 or Mary Cogan 021 437 3316. Jubilee pins will also be presented.
Pipe Band
Our contingent of piper’s and drummers will travel to Cookstown, County Tyrone to compete in the all-Ireland solo piping and solo drumming championships on Saturday, September 26th. The Pipe Band will play for Culture Night this Friday, September 18th in the Owenabue car park. New members including beginners are welcome to call to the Band Hall on a Monday or Thursday enquiries to Paddy O’Connell 087 968 5833.
Wednesday Art Group
One of the many groups associated with the Carrigaline Family Resource Centre, The Wednesday Art Group is participating in Culture Night on Friday, September 18. They plan to use the front of the Family Resource Centre to display their art.
Men’s Shed
Carrigaline Men’s Shed Choir will be singing on the main stage in the Owenabue car park for Culture Night at 8 pm this Friday, September 18th. The Men’s Shed choir practice in the Shed every Tuesday morning from 10:30 am to 12 noon. They sing regularly at retirement homes and other events, new members are always welcome. The Men’s Shed will have a display of their crafts in the SuperValu Mall for Culture Night also. The Ciorcal Comhrá is back in full swing on Thursday afternoons at 2 pm. They have a number of projects promoting Gaeilge including signage through the shed and they plan to invite other groups to visit. They also intend to visit the Gaeltacht and other locations where Irish is spoken. Meanwhile all other activities continue in the shed. New members are welcome. Enquiries to Roger Morrissey 087 220 3547.
Aifreann
Bhí Aifreann an mí seo trí Gaeilge á chéiliúradh ag an Moinsíneoir Aodhán Ó Drisceóil VG Co SP ar an Domhnach 13ú Mean Fomhair ar a 10.00 roimh nóin.
Léigh Clár Uí Mhaoláin na léachtaí agus chan Scarlett de Buitléir an Psalm. Léigh daltaí ón nGaelscoil Guí an Phobal. Chan an Cór Gaeilge iomainn oiriúnach faoi stiúradh Aisling Allan, tionlacan le Hugh Courtney agus sheinn an grupa cheoil tradisiúnta ceol an-spreagúil binn. The next Aifreann trí Gaeilge will be on Sunday October 11th at 10.00 am agus beidh billeoga Aifrinn ar fáil ag na dóirse mar is gnáth. Beidh fáilte roimh amhránaithe go dtí an Cór Gaeilge san áiléir.
Solar Farms
The development of solar farms at Rathmacullig, Ballinrea and Saleen are all nearly complete and number of road closures took place during the year to facilitate cable laying from the solar farms to the Raffeen transformer station. Cooney’s/Fernhill Road will remain closed for another two weeks while Ballinrea Road and Cogan’s Road have reopened.