County Mayor's Diary

Cllr Danny Collins

As usual the month is flying by, and there are so many wonderful things going on in our county now. I’ll never manage to squeeze them all into one column.

I love to read, and National Day of Reading is this Saturday 25 February. Libraries throughout Cork county are taking part in Ireland Reads to get the whole country reading this month.

I recommend that you check out Cork County Council Library and Arts Service on social media for details of what’s happening near you. Remember, it’s never too late to take up reading, rediscover your favourite book or share a story with family.

It’s all things art related for this column. Cork County Council’s Arts Office is forming a panel of facilitators in all arts disciplines to assist with the delivery of workshops across county Cork. Facilitators will work on a variety of projects and initiatives such as Arts in Libraries Programme, Youth and Community Projects, Creative Ireland Programme, Frameworks: Arts collection in Schools, Arts in Older age, Cruinniú na ng nÓg etc. The deadline for receipt of applications is 5pm on Sunday 26 February.

I have the pleasure of witnessing first-hand the joy all our communities throughout Cork county experience when participating in arts and cultural activities. There will be a lot of joy this year as 121 artists and arts organisations set to receive funding of nearly €145,000 from Cork County Council through its Arts Scheme 2023.

The numbers are up over 33% on the number received the previous year. We all spend a lot of time focusing on the minute aspects of our daily lives, such as work, chores, and social obligations. Art provides us with an outlet for expression, allowing us to turn thoughts, ideas, and feelings into something tangible and real. For me as a participant, it’s a welcome escape.

I am very proud that Cork County Council is one of a few local authorities that has a specific scheme supporting arts projects that promote use of Irish language. The county’s only dedicated showcase for films made by young people, First Cut Film Festival in Youghal will receive funding for a specific strand that will encourage young people to submit films in Irish.

Maybe it will lead to another Colm Bairéad who directed and wrote the screenplay for ‘Cailín Ciúin’ which has been nominated for an Oscar for Best International Feature film, the first Irish language film to be so honoured.

‘Mighty oaks from little acorns grow’, a saying applicable to both inspired young Irish film makers and to National Tree Week 2023. Cork County Council is offering a limited number of native trees to schools, community groups, and organisations. National Tree Week is an initiative of the Tree Council of Ireland and will take place from 19-26 March.