Audio Services Blogs
A Time for Giving…
Christmas is a time for sharing, receiving…& giving! This year, it’s more important than ever to shop local & support West Cork traders. From arts & crafts, fine foods & one off unique gifts, give those special people in your life a present to remember & cherish. Throughout West Cork there is a host of […]
Ho! Ho! Oh No…
Ho! Ho! Ho! It’s fair to say, that for the majority of us, Christmas is the happiest time of the year…It certainly is for me! Families come together, presents are placed under the tree & we eat, drink & be merry… However, there are many others for whom Christmas is the actual opposite. Stress, anxiety, […]
Together Is Better…
‘Voice of West Cork’ podcast – Series 2, Episode 9. In this episode, I have an In-depth conversation with Suzi Chan from the iCommunity – shared practice lab. We discuss their past, present & future projects & why NICVA, the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action & The Wheel, the National Association of Community & […]
West Cork Wonder…
West Cork has award-winning Towns & Villages, Stunning Landscapes & Historical Sites of interest, but as I have also discovered, it has plenty of activity too. Since the official launch of westcorkcommunity.ie, not only have I been pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming number of worthy Community & Voluntary groups, providing vital services & outlets, but […]
Your Voice Matters…
I recently attended the Cork County PPN “Wellbeing Community” workshop in Leap & I’m so glad that I did. It was an opportunity, for me & all those present, to have a say in which direction we want to develop the Strategic Plan for all Community & Voluntary groups based in County Cork & City. […]
Going for Gold
‘Voice of West Cork’ podcast, Series 2 – Episode 8. In this Episode, I have an In-depth conversation with Margaret O’Donovan from the Ballineen & Enniskeane Tidy Towns Group. We discuss their much deserved coveted overall ‘Pride of County Cork’ Award 2022, as well as their many other projects – past, present & future. Margaret […]
It’s Official…
Well done to all West Cork Tidy Towns… It is official…Not only do we have the best Community in Ireland, but we also have the most beautiful! That’s according to the SuperValu Tidy Towns Awards 2022. The West Cork Towns & Villages once again walked away with a whole series of winning awards & from […]
Poetry In Motion
‘Voice of West Cork’ podcast, Series 2 – Episode 7. In this episode, I have an In-depth conversation with Catherine Ronan, a West Cork born & bred poet. By day, Catherine works in finance, as well as running her own jewellery & card making business. She also has a degree in French & Applied Psychology, […]
Music to the Ear…
Hello & welcome to the ‘Voice of West Cork’ podcast, Series 2 – Episode 6. In this Special Edition, we listen back to a beautiful fusion of music & poetry recorded last weekend as part of the ‘Feel Good Festival’ Pt:2. The venue was Levis Corner Bar in Ballydehob, so a massive thank you to […]
World Mental Health Day!!
“Shout Loud & Shout Proud…” This Post is in honour of the “3 Dads”, who today, completed their 600 mile walk to the 4 Parliaments of the UK. This was a very personal journey for the 3 Dads, having each lost a young daughter suicide. But it was also a continuing mission to encourage society […]
‘We Act’ Campaign
Hello & welcome to the ‘Voice of West Cork’ podcast, Series 2 – Episode 5. In this episode, I have an In-depth conversation with Emily Bourke, Communications & Advocacy Officer with The Wheel, all about the ‘We Act’ campaign. Launched in October 2021, the campaign is all about promoting & celebrating the work, efforts & […]
Funding Opportunities
Funding Opportunities & Roadshow Welcome to the ‘Voice of West Cork’ podcast, Series 2 – Episode 4. In this episode I have an In-depth & very lengthy conversation with Hugh O’Reilly, Director of Business Development with The Wheel – the national agency for the Community/Voluntary Sector in Ireland. Because of the length of the interview, […]
Food for Thought…
Hello & welcome to the ‘Voice of West Cork’ podcast, Series 2 – Episode 3. In this edition, I have an In-depth conversation with Moze Jacobs from Ballydehob & Alice Glendenning from Clonakilty about the work they are doing under the umbrella of the West Cork Doughnut Economy Network…& no, it’s got absolutely nothing to […]
Time For Something New…
Whilst there are still plenty of Festivals & Events happening throughout West Cork this September & in particular, Culture Night, with the days getting colder & the nights getting longer, now is perhaps the time to settle into the Autumn & Winter months that lay ahead. Whether you want to take up a new hobby […]
Time To Feel Good…
Hello & welcome to the ‘Voice of West Cork’ podcast, Series 2 – Episode 2. The Feel Good Festival (Pt:1), ran in collaboration with the Skibbereen Arts Festival, between the 23rd – 29th July 2022. The aim of the festival was to promote mental health & wellbeing, as well as to engage creatively in the […]
Finance Solutions…
Welcome back to the ‘Voice of West Cork’ podcast, series 2 – Episode 1. In this episode I share an in-depth conversation with Sarah Leahy, Social Financial Executive (Munster Region) with Clann Credo. Many Community, Not-for-Profit & Social groups will unhappily agree, funding is all too often the biggest sticking point & even when money […]
Funding Roadshow…
11th & 12th October 2022 The Wheel – Ireland’s national association of Community & Voluntary Organisations, Charities & Social Enterprises have organised their first ‘Funding Roadshow’. Cork City (venue to be announced) – Tuesday 11th October. West Cork – Brookpark Business Centre, Dunmanway – Wednesday 12th October. If you are a Community, Not-for-Profit or Social […]
Gather Around, It’s Story Time…
Summer has officially turned to autumn, the kids have gone back to school & the weather is about to take a turn…but the festive fun is far from over. September is a month that still has plenty of festivals, events, online service& workshops to offer & to attend throughout West Cork. Here are just a […]
Let There Be Fire…
It may well be the last weekend of August, but it is not the last chance to get out there & have some craic. Once again, there are an abundance of festivals, events, online services & workshops taking place throughout our beautiful West Cork & the only thing that is missing…is you! Here are just […]
What’s To Do…To Do?
The weekend is upon us & once again there are plenty of options & opportunities to get out & about & soak up all that West Cork has to offer. With Festivals, Events, Online Services & Workshops in abundance happening from Bandon To Beara, there really is something for everyone…young, old & in between. Here […]
The Sun Is Shining…
The weather is sweet…& there are plenty of reasons for…Dancing Feet! Once again, there are festivals, events, online services & workshops happening throughout West Cork this sunny, summertime weekend, so get on those dancing shoes & go have yourself a whole of fun. Events this weekend include: 12-14: Skibbereen Soul & Blues Festival. 12-14: Dunmanway […]
Please Sir…
Can I have some more?? Yes you can!! The August Bank Holiday may well be over, but there are still plenty of Festivals, Events, Online Services & Workshops happening throughout West Cork this month…& beyond. 5th–7th: West Cork History Festival, Skibbereen. 6th-7th: Schull Regatta. 6th-8th: Bantry BBQ Festival. 7th: Classic Car, Truck & Tractor Show, […]
Hooray! Hooray! It’s a…
Bank Holiday!! Once again it’s time to take a break & have some fun in the sun. As ever, there are plenty of activities taking place right here in West Cork. Regardless of what interests you, your family & your friends, with the wide variety of choice to hand, there is definitely something, somewhere happening […]
‘Mind’ how you go…
‘Mind’ how you go… From 23rd – 29th July, the Skibbereen Feel Good Festival will be in full swing. Many of the events are free & any donations made will go to the HOPE Foundation so that they can continue to provide the vital services they provide. As well as addressing the issues surrounding mental health […]
Wot…No podcast…
Wot…No podcast… Apologies, but unfortunately the ‘Voice of West Cork’ episode 14 has been put on the back-boiler due to a family gathering. This is completely understandable, because the summer is here & it is indeed that time of year when family & friends get together & create happy memories. It’s also when many community […]
RCNI Training Course:
RCNI Training Course Are you a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist who is fully accredited or working towards accreditation…then this is the course for you! West Cork Women Against Violence (WCWAV’s) in association with Rape Crisis Mid-West will be running a ‘Sexual Violence Specialisation Training Course’ from October ’22 – April ’23 in Leap. On completion, […]
Sing Your Hearts Out…
Sing Your Hearts Out! Welcome to the latest ‘Voice of West Cork’ podcast. In this, Episode 13, I am talking with Isla Jeffers about the joys, jubilations & benefits of being a member of a group choir. The Glaslinn Choir, based in Bandon, 1st formed in 1969 & in recent years has gone from strength to […]
Busy! Busy! Busy!
Busy! Busy! Busy! Wow…it’s almost July already…where does the time go? Happy to say though, we still have one week of June ’22 to see out, so here are just a few idea’s for things to do: 24th – Pro Darts Exhibition, Dunmanway. 25th – Kupala Festival, Bantry. 26th – Family Fun Day, Newcestown. 26th […]
Housing for Everyone…
The “Not So” Dirty Dozen… Yes…I am of course referring to Episode 12 of the ‘Voice of West Cork’ podcast series. In this episode, I am speaking with Jose Osprina, secretary with The Carbery Housing Association. We discuss the ‘When’ & ‘Why’ the Association set-up, the work they have carried out to date & their […]
In This Together…
In Episode 11 of ‘The Voice of West Cork’ I have an in-depth conversation with Roos Demol from Recruit Refugees Ireland. She talks about the plight of refugees attempting to settle down & make Ireland their home. It is not just about fitting in & making new friends, but also the trauma & devastation that […]
Happy 30th Anniversary!
Happy 30th Birthday!! On 15th May 1992, Skibbereen Sports Centre opened its doors to the people of Skibbereen & surrounding hinterlands…& has been proudly serving the community ever since. In this, Episode 10 of ‘The Voice of West Cork’, I have an In-depth interview with Niall McCarthy, current Manager. Niall 1st started working at the […]
Wellness Month Festival
Come & join us for a bit of Craic! Running from 9th – 31st May, the “Wellness Month” festival organised bt the Clonakilty Comunity Resource Centre is now in full swing. There are a whole range of events & workshops from Boxing, Foraging, Knitting, Meditation, Zumba & so, so much more. All events & workshops […]
It’s A Date!
Fortunately not with me, but with the westcorkCommunity.ie Festival/Events calendar for the month of ‘May’. Simply click on the Link to discover the shear volume & variety of festival/events (47), online services (12) & workshops (31) that are happening throughout West Cork this month. Also, if you have organised an event & would like to […]
Poetry Competition
Are you a poet? I was forwarded this poetry competition information by Ian McDonagh (Cork County Arts Officer). After the initial success of “Poems From My 5K” Anthology – poems based on the early stages of the pandemic, Cork County Council are now wanting you to share your thoughts on where we are now in […]
Caha Centre Podcast
As promised…the ‘Voice of West Cork’ podcast is now coming to you once every fortnight! In this, Episode 8 – an In-depth interview with Jennifer Riney, a Social Prescribing Link Worker – we will find out about all of the amazing work that she is doing. Although based in the Caha Family Resource Centre in […]
Competition Winner!
Congratulations to Orla Tighe from Mallow on winning the €100 SuperValu Shopping Voucher courtesy of westcorkCommunity.ie. She simply listened to the ‘Voice of West Cork’ podcast & answered correctly the competition question based on Episode 6: An In depth interview with Sandy McGroarty of the Cork County PPN & Jose Ospina of The Carbery Housing […]
Website Official Launch
Wow…What a day! Today, we finally, ‘Officially Launched’ the westcorkcommunity.ie website & podcast service. Attendees included Cllr. Gillian Coughlan (County Mayor), Michael Collins TD, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, Cllr. Danny Collins & Cllr. Patrick Murphy as well as guest speakers, Claire Cronin (Bantry NLN), Kathryn Kingston (WCDP) & Sandy McGroarty (CCPPN). Also in attendance were 50 […]
CCPPN Podcast
Apologies for the delay! However, the ‘Voice of West Cork’ podcast, Episode 6 is now available. In this episode we have an In depth interview with Sandy McGroarty, Resource Worker with the County Cork PPN. She is joined by Jose Ospina, a CCPPN member & Founder member of the Carbery Housing Association. There are many […]
Oceans Plastic Project Podcast
West Cork has one of the most spectacular coastlines in Ireland…From a distance at least that is! Unfortunately however, at a closer inspection, what is becoming ever more present is the waste that is getting washed up on our beaches & waterways. Thankfully ‘The Oceans Plastic Project’, ran by local activist Rory Jackson, is on […]
Skibbereen RFC Fun Day
Delighted to share our 1st official event organised by Skibbereen RFC. So get your diaries out & pencil in Saturday 12th February & look forward to a great day out for all the family , knowing that any money you spend will be going to a local charitable cause. Please click on the Link below […]