County Mayor's Diary

Cllr Gillian Coughlan

With Christmas on the horizon, our towns, villages and homes are lit up and bustling with activity.

In Cork County Council, we have been very busy rolling out many initiatives for our communities, and over the past two weeks I have been privileged to launch several of these.

Cork County Council’s Library Services provide community spaces, free to all, where we can meet, learn and connect with the wider world.

Over the past number of years incredible work has gone into ensuring accessibility to all who would like to avail of the service.

In keeping with this mission, three new mobile library units have been added to the council’s fleet.

These units will bring on-board wi-fi, books and information on local news and events to schools, nursing homes, direct provision centres, day cares, creches and homes throughout the county.

Our Library Service is doing incredible work in overcoming barriers to accessibility and can be a great personal and community resource.

If you haven’t already, join your local library and discover all that’s available to you.

A huge part of winter in the county is preparing for the spring ahead. Following the amazing success of our pollinator friendly meadow in Midleton, and the initiation of several other pollinator plans across the county, Cork County Council has now officially signed up to the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. Under this ambitious plan, the council will implement Town Pollinator Plans in 12 locations, as well as many other measures to support bees and butterflies.

If you have a garden, business or farm, you can contribute to supporting these crucial creatures with us.

There are plenty of helpful resources for individuals and groups on the website www.biodiversityireland.ie.

As a community and a county, we have an opportunity to take the lead in biodiversity friendly actions and enhance our local environs greatly in the process.

Skibbereen, one of the towns for which a Pollinator Plan is being prepared, received some great news this week, with the announcement of €100,000 to the council for the creation of a masterplan for the town centre to enhance quality of life for residents, visitors and businesses.

Skibbereen is already a fantastic, vibrant and bustling market town with huge potential in terms of business and tourism.

The masterplan will identify projects that will generate social, economic and environmental benefits for the community.

Wherever in the county you are, there is no better time to visit your local town or village.

Under the Christmas lights, businesses and communities are putting forward their best foot.

This is a great time of year to create fond memories of home and hometowns.

A suite of special Christmas performances is being hosted by the council under the Cork Co Co Pops programme.

Enjoy yourself safely and join me in looking forward to great opportunities for our community in the year ahead.