Cork to declare independence!
A community hub and café in Cork city has launched a 'tongue-in-cheek' call for local businesses to raise funds for a charity of their choice.
As part its new Cork Independence Day fundraising initiative, Myo Café on Pope’s Quay is asking businesses across the heart of the rebel county to champion local charities on Saturday 5 July, the day after Independence Day in the USA.
To mark the day, the café will launch Cork’s Proclamation declaring the Rebel County’s ‘independence’ from the rest of the world.
The opening line of the proclamation reads: “We, the Diverse Peoples of Cork, in the spirit of shared humanity, of neighbourly kinship, and of fierce, unyielding pride in our Rebel County, do hereby proclaim a new bond: a county of inclusion, of welcome, of warmth - where no tongue, creed, colour or custom shall be stranger, but all may find harbour.”
Founded as a passion project by community activist Liam Mullaney, Myo Café is a community-driven café designed to serve as a space for all walks of life to meet and connect. Mr Mullaney said the shared principles of humanity and community woven into the fabric of Cork’s history as well as the “frequent topics of conversation among our customers here in Myo”, were the inspiration behind his Cork Independence Day idea.
“In protest of the deeply inhumane policies being promoted by Trump of late, we want to show the importance of community spirit, protest, and real independence. We want to see local businesses think outside the box with us, to promote the arts and raise funds for a charity of their choosing,” added Mr Mullaney.
Myo Café will be hosting a series of events on the day promoting local musicians while raising vital funds for Cork charities Shine A Light: Suicide and Mental Health Awareness, and Edel House.
As well as the launch of Myo’s Cork Proclamation of Independence, the Place of Peace creative project on Pope’s Quay will also be re-launched at 5pm on the day. The collaborative art project was created by Cork-based artist Davey Dummigan, along with members of the city’s international community impacted by war.
Cork city bars, restaurants, and other businesses can contact Myo at corkmyo@gmail.com if they are interested in hosting their own Cork Independence Day event on 5 July.