County Mayor’s diary:
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn
I hope everyone around the county had a wonderful Christmas this year. We are now into 2024 and with that brings new opportunities. There are several grants and initiatives I want to discuss this week.
Cork County Council’s Creative Communities Programme Fund 2024 is now open for applications which focuses on new and ambitious projects that establish cultural and creative activities with communities across Cork county.
This year, for the first time, funds will be available for projects of one, two or three-year duration.
With this fund, I hope to see communities come together to work on creative projects.
Communities may be a specific place such as a town or village, but may also be communities of interest, such as groups of people who share an identity or those who share an experience.
The council is also inviting applications for funding under the Cork County Local Festival Fund 2024, a competitive grant scheme supporting the development of festivals that drive domestic tourism and help to improve the visitor experience.
Cork County Local Festival Fund 2024 will support some of Cork’s most exciting and unique festivals in 2024.
Festivals have huge positive effects on our towns and villages.
Not only do they promote cultural heritage and foster community pride, they also are a huge boost to the economy.
Visit our website at CorkCoCo.ie to learn more about these exciting schemes.
On another note, I was proud to have recently launched the eagerly awaited publication, ‘The Natural Heritage of County Cork,’ which takes readers on a captivating journey through the rich tapestry of the county’s natural heritage wonders.
This publication features detailed insights into over 600 species inhabiting the county and highlights 30 different sites worth exploring.
From towering cliffs to serene forests, this publication serves as a comprehensive guide to the exceptional natural beauty that county Cork offers.
The publication is now available to purchase at your local bookshop.
Our Library Head Quarter Gallery is also excited to present
‘The Books We Haven’t Read’, a solo exhibition by Elize de Beer. The exhibition, which includes a series of screenprints, a large-scale paper tapestry, and artist’s books, presents the idea that there is more power to the books we have not yet read than the ones we have.
It is apt that this exhibition of books we have not read is being presented in our County Library Headquarters. Our libraries have over 50,000 members across the county, borrowing 1.4 million books and ebooks per year.
There is potential learning and nourishment in every book and on every page. The exhibition will open on 11 January at 6pm at our Library HQ, be sure not to miss out!