Entries are now open for the Coachford heat of the Over 60s Talent Show on Sunday March 25th . The competition, now in it’s 42nd year is open to anyone from Cork who is over 60. The organisers, Coachford Foróige club are seeking singers, musicians, story tellers or comedians to take part in the Coachford heat. For more information and to enter the competition, contact Karolyne on 086 8678207 or Deirdre on 086 2235901.
The Aghinagh Comhaltas and the Coachford Altlier Art group raised over €4,000 for Marymount Hospice from the sales of their gorgeous and well produced 2018 calendar. They presented the cheque to Anne O’Mahony of the friends of Marymount in O Callaghan’s Bar. The two groups come together each year to produce and sell this stunning calendar which is full of great paintings from local artists.
Tremendous choral evening in Rylane! The quality was top class, the variety of the songs and music was diverse and entertaining and the soprano, Eimear Collins was mesmerizing. Those in attendance in Rylane Church last weekend for the choral evening fundraiser were taken on a journey from musicals to classics to popular works. The Cork Garda Choir, the Wilcollane Singers and the Bravura String Quartet raised the roof time after time and Eimear Collins raised the hairs on the back of your neck with the emotion she poured into each and every one of her songs. Songs from the operas, the musicals and Billy Joel were interspersed with classical gems from the excellent string quartet. This was a night to be savoured and enjoyed. The fact that it was a celebration for the Rylane Community Park Association who completed the purchase of the ground from the very generous O Sullivan Family this week was an added bonus. This was a fantastic nights entertainment. Here’s hoping that it will be an annual event. Well done Rylane for giving us something different and the best of luck with the Community Park.
36 pupils from the three schools in the parish were confirmed by Bishop William Crean in Aghabullogue Church. In a lovely ceremony the boys and girls from Coachford, Aghabullogue and Rylane schools took part in a very well prepared mass. Bishop Crean, assisted in the ceremony by Fr. Peadar Murphy and Fr. Roberts, spoke to the children about their new roles as confirmed children and wished them the best.
Coachford College held a very successful Health Week at the college. The week, organised and run by the Leaving Cert Students saw a number of events taking place across the campus. Students were invited and encourages to take part in an A to Z of events and activities from Aerobics to Zumba classes. A rowing competition in association with the National Rowing Centre, a beep test, squat challenge along with talks on Nutrition were other events kept the students (and teachers) on their toes all week. As part of the Health Week to promote a healthy and active lifestyle the Marie Keating Foundation visited the college and gave talks to senior cycle students on health checks and self-awareness.
The organisers of the Coachford Family Festival have announced the dates of this year’s festival. The very successful event will keep their dates to July again this year with the festival running from Tuesday, July 10 to Sunday July 15th inclusive. The committee behind the festival are already planning new and exciting event for this year’s family extravaganza. Nicola Doherty, Festival PRO said,“ We are super excited about this year’s festival. It seems ages away now but it won’t be long coming around and we are hoping that the fantastic businesses and the community get behind it again this year as they always do.”
Greenway awarded national waymarked trails status! The National Coarse Fishing Federation representing Ireland’s coarse and predator anglers, and Inniscarra Tourism Development Ltd are proud to announce the Coachford Greenway in County Cork has been awarded National Waymarked Trails status from Sport Ireland. This achievement wholly supports our objectives to develop fisheries with facilities that can be used by other outdoor recreational users whilst supporting the environment and our bio-diversity. The 2.8km linear park is a purpose built off-road trail developed to provide a safe recreational facility for walkers, cyclists and anglers. The walkway has been graded as Easy and provides for a 1hr 30-minute leisurely walk or 30 min cycle ride. En route visitors can enjoy beautiful flora and fauna; animals and birdlife that live on or near the water to include Heron’s, Kingfishers, Geese and the occasional sea eagle. At the trailhead there is free parking for over 20 cars with vehicular access to the walkway itself limited. Anglers can access the trail by signing for a key at O’Callaghan’s Bar in Coachford. There is a 15kph speed limit and plenty of lay-by areas to keep the route safe for walkers and cyclists. The venue also presents perfect viewing opportunities for rowing activities on the lake being situated directly opposite the Rowing Ireland Headquarters. The trail is clearly signposted and just 2km from all the facilities of the village of Coachford. This along with easy access to a number of towns and villages in the Lee Valley provides a further boost for domestic and overseas tourism in the area.