County Mayor's Diary Cllr Mary Linehan Foley

The new year is now in full swing and whatever way you choose to approach the weeks and months ahead, I want to wish you and your families, as Mayor of the County of Cork, the very best for 2026.

Cork County Council worked through the festive season, with staff members dealing with a number of queries as December turned to January.

Then came the freeze, and our teams were out gritting the roads so everyone could get to school and work safely in the early hours of the morning.

It was a busy Christmas, as we planned and put projects in motion that will carry us through 2026 and beyond.

We began by announcing a partnership with Biodiversity in Schools on a tree-planting initiative with schools in Macroom, which is Cork County’s first Decarbonising Zone.

This programme will work with children of all ages throughout Ireland, and aims to increase positive engagement with nature, through fun educational projects, competitions, and direct action that benefits nature.

The initiative in Macroom will see native trees and hedgerows planted on school grounds, which will help to improve biodiversity while engaging students in positive, hands-on climate action.

We followed up the unveiling of the Biodiversity in Schools by announcing a new Affordable Housing Purchase Scheme in Pulleen, Kanturk, as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting accessible housing in rural communities.

The houses are constructed by Vella Homes, and will be mainly available for first-time buyers who do not own a home (although a small number of exceptions apply) and Fresh Start Applicants.

This development of 20, A-rated, high-quality family homes is located in a residential location in Pulleen, Kanturk and offers a mix of two and three bedroom houses.

There are 2 two-bedroom mid-terrace houses available from €260,000, which represents a reduction of approximately 22.3% from market value.

There are 2 two-bedroom bungalows available from €315,000, which represents a reduction of approximately 19.23%.

There are also 16 three-bedroom, end of terrace/semi-detached houses available from €295,000, which represents a reduction of approximately 20.2% from market value.

Kanturk is a growing and diverse town that is a short drive away from Mallow and Cork city.

The area also has primary and post-primary schools, shops, pubs, restaurants, medical facilities, sports clubs and a park.

Applications for the scheme at Pulleen, Kanturk will open at 12 noon on Tuesday 3 February.

Further information on this scheme and other upcoming schemes, including the Scheme of Priority guide to making an application and documentation required can be found at the website - corkcoco.ie.