One of the group’s first project is a biodiversity review of the area once funding becomes available from the National Parks and Wildlife Service in the new year. Photo Ballyphehane Centenary Committee

New Tidy Towns group formed for the Lough

Steven Fox

Published: Wed 4 Nov 2026, 1:03 PM

A new Tidy Towns group has been launched for the Lough area, following a meeting by members of the community in the Lough Community Centre last Sunday.

The volunteers hosted an advice session with Carolyn Miller from Togher Tidy Towns group as their opening session.

Katie O'Regan, one of the organisers who has been elected Chairperson of the group, who has been campaigning for a new playground for the Lough, said that the idea grew out of that campaign.

"Doing the playground, I thought 'what would complement this really well' to make sure it's maintained and looked after? A Tidy Towns group.

"The more I put the feelers out, the more people seemed interested through social media and my neighbours, and it took off from there," she said.

Others involved in setting up the group include members of both the Lough Down Community Garden, and the O'Sullivan's Apartments Residents Association on Barrack Street.

One of the group's first projects is a biodiversity review of the area around the Lough once funding becomes available in the new year from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This will include a review of water quality as well as of the flora and fauna in the area.

Social Democrats councillor Niamh O'Connor, who is a resident of the area, said that she has a submitted a motion to Cork City Council calling for a biodiversity survey of the area as part of the council's broader biodiversity plan.

O'Connor's party colleague Pádraig Rice TD, also a resident of the area, said that he was delighted with the group's formation.

"Over the last two years, I've been highlighting the need for improvements as part of my Love the Lough campaign. This includes enhanced maintenance, upgrade works, a new playground, public toilets, a water fountain, and biodiversity projects.

"My colleague Cllr Niamh O'Connor and I have tabled council motions and met with officials in City Hall about these concerns. I'm now looking forward to working with the new Tidy Towns group to advance some of these issues," he said.

The group will hold its second meeting on Sunday 8 November at 11am in the Lough Community Centre.

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.