Hot Scoring for CUH Charity at the Old Head of Kinsale

Dunnes Stores team at the CUH CHarity event at the Old Head

Successful Fundraising Event for CUH Charity

The Cork University Hospital Cardiac Unit was the big winner with approximately €14,000 raised at the 20th Annual Charity Golf Classic held at the Old Head of Kinsale Golf Links last week.

Despite the very blustery conditions, the scoring was red hot. With two best scores to count on each hole, the winning team from Dunnes Stores with Philip Ward, Dave Barrett, Phil Barrett and Darren O’Brien returned an impressive Stableford score of 89 points. Professor Molloy’s team were narrowly beaten on a match of cards on the back nine. Fergus Shanahan with Michael Bennett, Barry Kiely, and Pat Shanahan also put in a fantastic score of 89 to come in at second place. In hot pursuit, the Cavanagh’s of Fermoy team with Michael O’Sullivan, John Byrne, Sean Cuff, and Kevin Byrne came third with 87 Points. The highlight of the day must be the problematic 17^th par 5, Michael O’Sullivan sank a birdie putt, only to be out-done by teammate, John Byrne who had an eagle – giving the team a whopping 9 points!

The Winning Team

Former Irish Rugby International and Chairman of Cork University Hospital Charity, Prof. Michael Molloy was on hand to welcome the players. Prof. Molloy noted, “This Classic is a marvelous way to spread the word concerning the Hospital, itself. Many people don’t realize that CUH is the largest hospital in Ireland, serving a population of 1.5 million. CUH is also the only Level 1 Trauma hospital in the country, North and South and Ireland’s only hospital with cardiac surgeons providing full 24/7 coverage.

Miriam Forde, Head of CUH Charity said, ‘We are hugely grateful to all our supporters and golfers who contributed to making this event a huge success. I would like to thank the many Cork and Munster Golf Clubs who donated green fees, as well as the many local businesses and companies including East Cork Oil, Danone, Dunnes Stores, Cavanagh’s, Money Markets International, The Curragh, Keanes Jewellers, the Cliff House Hotel, Celtic Ross Hotel and The Europe Hotel. I would also particularly like to acknowledge Cummins Sports and the Old Head of Kinsale Golf Club who have supported this event year after year. Finally, a very, very special thank you to Dr Will Fennell, Cardiologist, who has worked tirelessly for 20 years to organise this Golf Classic to benefit cardiac patient services at CUH.”

The final word went to Dr. Will Fennell, “Because of the generosity of all our supporters, we continue to make our patients’ journey a little easier at CUH and deliver the best care that they deserve, every day of the year.”

If you would like more information concerning CUH Charity or make a donation, please contact Miriam Forde, miriam@cuhcharity.ie

Runners Up Below:

3rd place Team

August 25, 2015

Walking the coast of Ireland for the Irish Heart & Lung Transplant Association

A Champion for the Irish Heart & Lung Transplant Association!

A Heart Transplant recipient of seventeen years, Ron Cummins, spent Monday night in Youghal on his attempt to walk Ireland’s coastline. This endeavour is to raise donor awareness and funds for the Irish Heart & Lung Transplant Association.

Ron has already completed over 1,700km of this epic 2,500km journey that commenced on the 20^th June from the Circle of Life Garden in Salthill in Galway. General Manager of the Quality Hotel in Youghal, Allen McEnery, noted. “We were delighted to welcome Ron to the hotel for an oveIrish Heart & Lung Transplant Association.rnight rest and breakfast on his voyage. What an incredible journey Ron is undertaking, and for such a worthy cause. We all hope that it will be hugely successful initiative.”

Ron is now well over half way to completing this heroic undertaking with a walk of 800km remaining. During his stay-over in Youghal, Ron remarked that. “The walk should take me 93 days so that I finish back in the Circle of Life Garden in Salthill Galway on the 20th of September marking the 18th year of my transplant.” Wishing Ron every success.

People can donate via: http://www.mycharity.ie/event/ron_cumminss_walk_around_ireland.

May 18, 2015May 18, 2015

Cork ARC House Flower Festival in aid of Cork ARC House

Cork ARC House Cancer support flower festival

A FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS in aid of Cork ARC Cancer Support

A Festival of Flowers will be held at St Mary’s Church, Passage West, on May 29^th 30^th and 31^st to raise funds for the Cork ARC Cancer Support House. Cork ARC is a specialised centre for people with cancer and where you can find information, practical help and emotional support for those suffering from cancer. The centre is a safe haven and helps to reduce the distressing impact and challenges that cancer can have on both patient and their families.

The festival is the first ever to take place in St. Mary’s Church. An appropriate theme of the Festival is “The Journey through Life” which is a reflection of the great voluntary work carried out by Cork ARC. The exhibits will cover a wide range of topics: ‘Where it all began’ will display a kitchen fireplace of long ago and the equipment that was used to prepare family meals. Other exhibits will include: ‘Bringing in the Catch’, ‘Will my Anchor Hold’, ‘Journey through the Woods’, ‘Hats from the Past’, ‘School Around the Corner’ and ‘Fisherman’s Journey’. There will be a few surprises too with many pieces reminding us of the bygone days. Also included in the Festival will be plant sales and bric-a-brac.

A preview of the Festival of Flowers will be held on Friday the 29th May, with a wine and cheese reception at 7.30 pm. at St Mary’s. Well known Cork soprano, Fiona O Reilly, will be opening the festival prior to performing with the local folk choir. The concert will be conducted by Jackie O Cornell in what promises to be a memorable evening’s entertainment. On Saturday, the festival will be open to the public from 11.00 am to 5.30 pm and on Sunday, from 12 noon, until 5 pm.

Cork ARC Cancer Support House is located at Cliffdale, 5 O’Donovan Rossa Road, Cork, close to the main gates at UCC. It is a lifeline for cancer patients and their families on their difficult journey. The house depends on voluntary donations, and this important event will hopefully bring in much-needed funds to continue the good work.

Tickets for the opening concert cost €10 are available at Cork ARC House and from both Chriss Bailey and Maeve McManamon, They will also be on sale at the door.

Contact numbers:
Chriss Bailey 086 3943156
Maeve McManamon 086 8832389
Cork ARC Cancer Support House 021 4275050

For further information, please contact
Maeve McManamon
Secretary
Passage West Flower Festival
086 8832389
mmmanamon@yahoo.com

February 9, 2015February 9, 2015

Ring of Cork Networking Event @ The Jameson Experience

Gathering of Cork’s Newest Tourism Brand in the home of

The World’s Fastest Growing Whiskey brand

Award-winning travel writer, editor, and author, Pól Ó Conghaile, was the keynote speaker at a unique gathering of tourism businesses from the Ring of Cork on Friday evening. Hosted by The Jameson Experience in Midleton, the event was a culmination of several local area meetings that have been taking place throughout the region recently.

Pól immediately dispelled the title of his presentation, “The 10 Truths in Travel”, by stating that there are, in fact, “ No truths in travel.” The audience was captivated by Pol’s insights into Irish tourism, speaking of the need for creativity, working together, providing good value and, above all, the importance of the people and the local experience.

Keynote speaker, travel writer Pol O Conghaile; and Margot Dwyer Mulcahy, MDM PR; — Keynote speaker, travel writer Pol O Conghaile and Margot Dwyer Mulcahy, MDM PR;

Pol noted, “Tourism is an increasingly crowded and noisy space, and it’s harder than ever for businesses to cut through. To attract visitors, destinations need to pull together, to get creative and unified with their messages. That’s why it’s so encouraging to see Ring of Cork members pulling a new focus today. That they are meeting at the Jameson Experience, the heart of the world’s fastest growing whiskey brand, is very appropriate.”

He ended his presentation with a call to action that created quite a positive and enthusiastic response from the attendees. He invited the audience to network together and to send him ‘10 great reasons to visit East Cork’, which he would use as the basis of an online article and gallery on Independent.ie.

Pol later explained, “ This is a great exercise for people to come together and get motivated. I will decide the final 10, and I know that people will inevitable be disappointed if they are left out. However, it’s a good exercise, showing the power of destination marketing, and why it is worth working together rather than individually on a media piece.”

The Ring of Cork

Ring of Cork Chairman, Ryan Howard, also spoke at the event, “The Ring of Cork is a vibrant network of tourism related business who believe that by working together, they will grow together. Sharing information, referring business and embracing the challenges of worldwide competition will ensure a sustainable future for tourism in the region and create much-needed employment for future generations.”

Ignacio Peregrina, General Manager of the Jameson Experience at the Old Midleton Distillery, said afterward, “We were delighted to host this Regional Networking Tourism Event. It is great to see that members of SECAD and the Ring of Cork are pulling together in an organized and cohesive fashion. This event offers an opportunity for us to showcase everything that Cork and East Cork has to offer, from world-class accommodation and hospitality venues to heritage, cultural attractions and outdoor activities. There’s no doubt that the tourist industry has shown signs of strong economic recovery, with visitors numbers continuously increasing. It is very appropriate that tourist operators are meeting at the Jameson Experience, home to an iconic and world renowned Irish product.” Ignacio provided their specialty Jameson Cocktail for the networkers – a shot of Jameson whiskey, ginger ale plus a good squeeze of lime. They also served something a little different, titled ‘A Taste of Cork’ – it consisted of slaw marinated in Jameson, ginger and lime and local oak barrel smoked peppered mackerel served with Clonakilty black pudding soda bread.

MC at the event was the well-known Cork broadcaster and corporate entertainer, PJ Coogan. PJ ensured that the program for the evening ran smoothly. Included in the proceedings was a short speed networking session which proved to be a great success. Among those in present were the Directors of the Board of the Ring of Cork, Seamus Cunningham (Wallis’s Bar), Sal Tivy (Perks), Jack Walsh (The Cobh Heritage Centre) and JJ Harty. With over eighty in attendance, the turnout included Gillen Joyce (Titanic Experience), Wendy Whelan and Fern Allen (Ballymaloe), David and Gaye Fitzgibbon (Aherne’s), Stephen Belton (Bayview and Garryvoe Hotel’s), Deirdre Mannion (Trabolgan), Nick Ryan ( Walter Raleigh Hotel), Vincent Bartley (Fota House, Irish Heritage Trust), Stephen Ryan and Sean McKeown (Fota Wildlife Park) Breffne Costello (Castlemartyr Resort) Miro Jezovica (Quality Hotel Youghal) and Mark Golden (The Old Imperial Hotel).

Jack Walsh, Cobh Heritage Centre; and Deirdre Cole, Failte Ireland;

[ENDS]

For further information, please contact Margot Mulcahy info@mdmpr.com or mobile 086 8045468

January 30, 2015January 30, 2015

Tourism businesses in Cork pull together in a new sphere

Tourism Business Networking – a forum for the future

With sales up 30% at the recent Holiday World Show, an upbeat atmosphere for tourism management is set to develop in Cork. This also is a direct result of a series of innovative local gatherings that took place recently throughout the region for Ring of Cork members and SME businesses in the food, retail and craft sector.

Vibrant networking meetings have taken place to share information, refer business and plan for the future in the Cobh/ Fota area, Youghal, Midleton, Glanmire, Carrigaline/Crosshaven and Ballincollig. “Networking and working together plus knowing that competition is good. This is what will grow our business” were just some of the comments evolving from these proactive gatherings. The culmination will be a Regional Networking Event, for those who attended the local area meetings, planned for the 6^th February at the Jameson Experience at the Old Midleton Distillery. Award-winning travel writer, editor, and author, Pól Ó Conghaile will be the keynote speaker at the event.

Ring of Cork Chairman, Ryan Howard noted, “Following our recent AGM, we have taken on board the feedback from members in instigating more networking meetings to help grow business. The response from the local meetings ‘Forum on the Future’ has been amazing, with great attendance and very positive input”. Ryan went on to note. “Unlike most plans that stay on a shelf, our New Strategy for the Ring of Cork will be based on the direct feedback from those who are in a position to implement the necessary action – our members”.

The Regional Tourism Networking Event is taking place at the Jameson Experience at the Old Midleton Distillery, on Friday, 6^th February at 4.30 pm. The keynote speaker, Pól Ó Conghaile, is Travel Editor for Independent.ie and regularly contributes on travel to National Geographic Traveller UK, Cara Magazine, and the Irish Independent. He also features widely on national TV and radio, including the RTE Today Show and the Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk. Currently, he is Ireland’s Travel Writer of the Year. Pól will speak specifically about East Cork and Cork Harbour area, but will also broaden it out to include several examples of best practise tourism and trends (from both Ireland and overseas).

Active speed networking and a presentation from the Ring of Cork Chairman, Ryan Howard, will also be on the agenda at the regional event. This will focus on the outcomes of the local area meetings to be included in the new strategy for the Ring of Cork region. Ryan noted. “It is hoped that this process will encourage an ethos of cooperation and referral business between tourism interests, with regular networking meetings between product providers evolving.

This event is being restricted to business participants; registration in advance is essential.

For further information, Please contact Margot Dwyer Mulcahy at info @ mdmpr.com

January 17, 2015January 17, 2015

Tourism Networking event for Midleton on Monday

Building for the future of tourism in the Cork area

The benefits of tourism to the East Cork area are immense and working together to build a strong network of tourism related business in high on the agenda for SECAD and the Ring of Cork.

Three local area meetings, one in Cobh, one in Midleton and one in Youghal have been planned for Ring of Cork members, as well as other businesses with a tourism related interest. These are being co-ordinated for SECAD by Margot Dwyer Mulcahy, MDMpr. The primary aim is to encourage product providers to work together, for them to understand that competition is good and to develop a stronger tourism network. Non-members of the Ring of Cork are encouraged to attend these networking to help grow the Brand so that it becomes internationally recognised. In addition to the local forums, a regional event has also been planned to bring all areas together for a major networking occasion. This will be taking place in Midleton and will be the culmination of the process, also having a major draw.

The Events
The local events have already commenced, with the first taking place at Fota Wildlife Park for the Cobh/Fota and Carrigtwohill based product providers. This proved most successful, with over 35 tourism businesses attending. The outcome was very positive, with good suggestions coming from the floor. The Youghal based event took place at Clancy’s, with great feedback which will be included in a new strategy for the region. .

Midleton & Area Networking event
Seamus Cunningham, Director of the Ring of Cork and Chairman of the Midleton Chamber, is hosting the Midleton event next Monday, commencing at approx. 6 p.m at Wallis’s Bar. Finger foods and beverages are included for those attending.

The local meetings incorporated:

Informal networking
Round-table discussion format,
Familiarization – A short presentation on local product
Q&A – Questions about other businesses in their area – and answers from the product providers attending
Forum on the Future: The final part of the local meetings is a Forum to discuss their vision for ROC and where they feel it should be going.

The Regional Event

Award-winning travel writer, editor, and author, Pól Ó Conghaile will be the keynote speaker at the Regional event. This will take place on the 6^th February. Pol is Travel Editor for Independent.ie, and regularly contributes on travel to National Geographic Traveller UK, Cara Magazine, and The Irish Independent. He features widely on national TV and radio, including the RTE Today Show and the Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk. Currently, he is Ireland’s Travel Writer of the Year. At the event, he will:

“ Speak specifically about East Cork, but would like to broaden it out to include several examples of best practise tourism and trends (from both Ireland and overseas), that I think, would be very instructive for your audience”.

The Regional Event will include Failte Ireland participation. Full details of this event will be circularized shortly.

It is hoped that this process will encourage an ethos of cooperation and referral business between tourism interests, with regular networking meetings between product providers evolving.

If you have a tourism related business in the Midleton/ Castlemartyr/ Ballycotton area and would like to come along on Monday, please email me at info@mdmprdotcom

TheCobh and Fota — The Cobh and Fota tourism networking event

November 24, 2014November 24, 2014

Free Seminars for SME’s in Cork

Looking for some help with your business?

SECAD are running free seminars this week aimed at:

Transport Providers
Anyone serving food
Anyone who needs help with Managing Online Relationships with customers

The free seminars will be held in the Carrigaline Court Hotel, the Vienna Woods Hotel, Glanmire and the Old Imperial Hotel in Youghal.

The seminars are aimed at existing companies and sole traders, entrepreneurs and startups and developed specifically to boost business in the hospitality and food sectors. From taxi driving to jam making, the seminars are designed to help create and grow business opportunities in South and East Cork.

Exploring Tourism Opportunities for Transport Providers

This seminar will highlight the potential of the tourism and heritage sector and will provide transport providers with a greater understanding of the potential of tourism for expanding their business.

Food Compliance for Beginners – Where to start?

An introductory overview will be provided to inform food businesses and producers about what they need to do and who to contact before preparing and serving food to the public. We all know the importance of food safety, so this seminar is an absolute necessity for a new food businesses or producers and also tourism providers dealing with food.

Managing Online Relationships with your Customers

An online presence for businesses is now essential. Participants will learn how to use online media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube to maximise representation in the online sphere and to deal with challenging reviews/feedback.

The schedule for the seminars is as follows:

Managing Online Relationships with your Customers

9.30 am – 12.30 pm

Monday, 24^th November Vienna Woods Hotel, Glanmire

Wednesday, 26^th November Carrigaline Court Hotel

Thursday, 27^th November Old Imperial Hotel, Youghal

Food Compliance for Beginners – Where to start?

9.30 am – 12.30 pm

Monday, 24^th November Carrigaline Court Hotel

Tuesday, 25^th November Vienna Woods Hotel, Glanmire

Wednesday, 26^th November Old Imperial Hotel, Youghal

Exploring Tourism Opportunities for Transport Providers

9.30 am – 12.30 pm

Monday, 24^th November Old Imperial Hotel, Youghal

Tuesday, 25^th November Carrigaline Court Hotel

Wednesday, 26^th November Vienna Woods Hotel, Glanmire

For further information and to book your place contact Edel or Ross at SECAD at 021 4613432.

September 16, 2014

Special Needs Trust Planning Workshop for Parents

Is your special needs child receiving their full range of entitlements? Are you claiming all your tax credits? Have you made proper provisions for their well being after you have passed away?

An information meeting, addressing the challenges facing parents of children with special needs is being held on Saturday 27th of September at 10.30 am to 12.00 pm at the Silver Springs Hotel, Cork. The key focus of the workshop will be the importance of establishing a Trust for a special needs child and how to fund the Trust from entitlements.

The workshop is open to all parents whose children have special needs.

The “Special Needs Trust Planning Workshop” is being led by Allan Cuthbert, the founder of “Financial Wellbeing,” a company dedicated to ensuring that a child has their full range of entitlements and can maintain a good quality of life after their parents have passed away.

The workshop will also cover;

Financial & legal challenges facing your special child
Discover rarely claimed entitlements & tax credits
Information on Ward of Court & wills
How to choose the right Guardians and Trustees
When to set up a Special Needs Trust How to fund a Trust from entitlements
Why you need to write a Letter of Wishes

Strategies to create a brighter financial future

Allan has a niece with Down Syndrome, “I was shocked to discover how hard it was for parents to access information that is vital for the wellbeing of their child, Alan noted. “I decided that I wanted to make a difference and so I set up Financial Wellbeing in 2008. I have dedicated myself to helping ensure a better quality of life for children with special needs and for their families.”

Allan is a regular radio presenter on financial issues regarding disability. He writes for 38 different charities, parents association and organisations. In the last six months, he has also given over twenty presentations on Special Needs Trust Planning to various charities aroundIreland.

This is a free event (normally costing €60), but spaces are limited and pre-booking is essential. Please call Dolores on 086 023 6995 or email dolores@financialwellbeing.ie to secure your place.

Check www.financialwellbeing.ie for more information.

August 8, 2014

Top Junior golfer in with a chance to win a trip to Germanny

AST Junior Golf Trophy to take place on 20th August

Free Trip to Germany for Top Junior Golfer!

Ireland’s next Rory McIlroy could possibly be in action at Cobh Golf Club on Wednesday, August 20^th, when the region’s top young players compete for the AST Junior Golf Trophy. This unique event was launched last year and features a team of 5 players from the top local clubs with the four best scores on each hole to count for the team total. In 2013, the Cobh Golf Club team of Peter Milner, Jack Murphy, Liam Doyle, Zack Devlin and Josh O’Callaghan used their local knowledge to narrowly edge out Youghal and Fota Island for top honours.

In addition to the team event, there is a very special prize for the best individual competitor who wins an all expense paid trip for two to Germany – and a place in the Junior Championship, which is being staged at the prestigious Buchholz-Nordheide Golf Club in Hamburg.

This years’ tournament in Cobh will be followed by a prize ceremony and BBQ, which proved to be a great hit with all the competitors last time around. The winning club will hold the AST Perpetual Trophy for the year, while their players will each receive a replica of the cup. There are golf vouchers for the best placed teams and a prize for the longest drive. There is also a very special award for the closest to the pin at Cobh’s 10^th hole with its spectacular island green.

Some excellent young golfing talent will be on display and supporters from the participating clubs are most welcome. Who knows, you may be viewing a star of the future.

Clubs interested in entering a team should contact Tony Hughes on 087-2604544 or Cobh Golf Club on 021-4812399.

May 5, 2014May 5, 2014

Great Golf Courses to play near the 2014 Irish Open venue at Fota Island

With the 2014 Irish Open returning to Cork from the 19^th to the 22^ndof June, golf is very much to the fore around ‘Ireland’s Second Capital’ with a wonderfully diverse selection of courses to choose from.

Fota Island is obviously in the spotlight, and with most of the mainline European Tour players committing to the event, it is a rare opportunity to see the likes of major winners Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington on Irish soil. For Padraig, Fota holds many fond memories as he won the Irish Amateur Open there in 1995. So too, for current Ryder Cup Captain, Paul McGinley, who took the Irish PGA Championship at Fota in 1997.

Just down the road, and close to Fota Island, is the venerable ‘Grand Dame’ of golf in the region, Cork Golf Club, commonly known as ‘Little Island.’ Its origins date back to 1888 with a 9 hole layout at a nearby hillside. In 1897, some local gentry moored their yachts near an abandoned quarry and decided it would make an ideal setting for a golf course. In 1924, no less a person than Alister MacKenzie, the famed creator of Augusta National, redesigned the course. He used the steep chasms around the old quarry and the costal setting to magnificent effect. Soon Cork became host to the major amateur and professional events, including the Irish Open, the Irish PGA Championship and the Irish Close Championship.

Many of the great players of yesteryear trod the scenic layout including Harry Vardon, Henry Cotton, Christy O’Connor, Snr. and Cork’s own, Jimmy Bruen. In 1983, the late Severiano Ballesteros came to Little Island and played an exhibition match against the long hitting local, Liam Higgins. However it was Seve’s drive on the 11^th hole that caught the spotlight, travelling 332 metres, which was unheard prior to our modern equipment. A Spanish chestnut tree was planted on the spot where his drive came to rest and is a major feature on the hole today.

In 2009 a decision was made to upgrade Cork Golf Club. The brief of maintaining the essence and character of MacKenzie’s design while bringing the layout to modern standards. The contract was giving to the world renowned firm of Hawtree Golf Course Architects, who specialise in MacKenzie course restoration. The project took three winters to complete but resulted in a course that is now as challenging as it is scenic.

Moving past Little Island and Fota Island, one comes to the Great Island, home of Cobh Golf Club. Here, architect, Martin Hawtree, has sculpted a demanding tract on a hillside overlooking the waters of Marino Point, Cobh. The 12^th hole features an island green which is as visual as it is intimidating.

The area is home to some little hidden gems with Water Rock, Youghal and East Cork Golf Clubs. Water Rock is a delightful Paddy Merrigan design. There are some lovely holes, none more so than the challenging par three 12^th, appropriately named ‘Swan Lake’ – get the picture? Many of the holes at Youghal overlook the bay. It is sometimes had to concentrate on the game in such a visual setting. Be warned, East Cork’s front nine is hilly, but the back nine is a delight!

Cork’s newest addition, Castlemartyr, is also located nearby. With its luxury hotel, it is very much in the manner of the Fota Island Resort. Ron Kirby’s layout is designed as an inland links and it certainly has that feel. Ron did a lot of work with Jack Nicklaus over the years and had quite an input into the Old Head of Kinsale’s final configuration, also not too far away. He deserves top marks for Castlemartyr.

Spoilt for choice? I’d say so. Stay in the East Cork region and you are minutes from four hidden gems, an inland links and two of the finest championship courses in the south of Ireland. There are great deals to be had everywhere, especially for open days, and should be on every visitor’s itinerary. I’d call them ‘The Magnificent Seven’!