New community partnership

A new partnership has been announced between two Cork city community organisations which will offer additional supports to southside residents.

The partnership will see Ballyphehane Togher CDP and Turners Cross Community Association join forces in a move they say will “hugely benefit” the two neighbouring communities.

Turners Cross Community Association dates back to 1987, initially operating out of two small cottages before its purpose-built centre was completed in 2006. Since then the centre has housed a variety of activities as well as providing the local community with a space to gather or to mark annual events including Lifelong Learning and Culture Night.

Joe Curtin, Chairperson of Turners Cross Community Association, said: “As a voluntary committee we would like to see this valuable community resource being utilised even more but it is hard for volunteers to manage this on top of their other commitments.

“We sought expressions of interest from like-minded groups, so we’re delighted that Ballyphehane Togher CDP have come onboard as we know this will benefit everyone.”

Ballyphehane Togher CDP celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. CDP Chair Cathy Kelly commented: “When the doors of the newly re-furbished resource centre opened in 1997 it seemed like a huge space to the voluntary management committee who had begun operations from a two room flat in Pearse Square, but very shortly the space was regularly packed and in recent years the CDP has utilised a variety of spaces across the community to hold classes and events.”

CDP Project Co-ordinator Siobhán O’Dowd added: “There’s an old Irish tradition of meitheal – neighbours supporting one another, and this is a good example of meitheal in action - neighbouring communities combining resources to best advantage for everyone.”

To make booking enquiries, contact Ballyphehane Togher CDP on 021-4319085.