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27/11/2014
Paul McGuirk of Cork City

Council, Minister Kathleen Lynch TD and Pat Lynch of Plato, attending the programme of events launch of 'A Northside Christmas' at the garden of The Cork Foyer, Blackpool.
Picture: David Keane.
For more details see attached press release.
Press Release
For release 1st December 2014
Free Festive Fun on the Northside of the City
There will be plenty of free festive fun across the Northside in the coming weeks as Northside for Business announced details of its ‘A Northside Christmas’ initiative. There will be a series of local community events that will be of interest to young and old alike.
Much of the activity is based in Blackpool, the traditional heart of the Northside. The North Pole will meet the Northside as the garden of the Cork Foyer on Assumption Road (near Revenue Commissioners) will be transformed into a winter wonderland. The garden will be illuminated with extensive lighting and children will also be able to play in the Polar playground, visit the mini pet farm and post their letters in the Shandon shaped letter box. There will also be a Firkin crane shaped plum pudding! As it is the season of giving, visitors are also invited to bring a small gift if they wish which will be distributed to charities working with families in need in the city. Many of the installations have been made and designed by the very talented youth and community groups from across the Northside.
The Lord Mayor will be turning on the lights this Saturday, December 6th at 5p.m. in the Foyer garden but everyone is encouraged to come early as there will be free entertainment from 4p.m. with music and carol singing. The following day, December 7th there will also be card and decoration making from 4p.m. to 7p.m. The festive foyer garden will continue to be open to the public for free for their viewing pleasure over the festive period, seven days a week, until 7.00p.m. each day.
Nearby, check out the window displays in Blackpool Village. Christmas drawings from some of the children in North Presentation primary school have been transferred onto the windows of a dozen shops and businesses in Blackpool village by the artists from Mayfield Arts Centre. Come along and enjoy the switching on of the lights in the newly decorated plaza in Blackpool village on Wednesday, December 3rd at 7p.m., accompanied by some carol singing from the boys and girls in Blackpool Youth Club.
Speaking on behalf of Northside for Business, Paul Mc Guirk said ‘The Northside of the city has a strong sense of community and local shops and businesses are an integral part of that community. Northside for Business encourages people to shop local this Christmas and support local jobs. Northside for Business is a partnership between the private and public sectors and the ‘A Northside Christmas’ initiative is a prime example to this’.
There is also a strong historical element to the entertainment programme, given the rich history of the Northside. A special photographic exhibition in Blackpool Library will be a trip down memory lane for many with a series of photographs of scenes from a Cork City and Northside Christmas past. These images are a collection of scenes from Cork City at Christmas, with the streets of Cork in blankets of snow, santa visits to the Children of Cork and the shawlies selling holly and mistletoe. The exhibition will be on display in the library throughout the month of December.
Santa’s helpers have also been beavering away in Mayfield as various community groups are working together this year to turn the Meditation Centre in Ennismore (courtyard next to Garda Station) into an exciting Christmas wonderland experience. This will be a free event and open to local families to visit with their children. Children can visit the Winter Wonderland, with Christmas trees, handmade reindeer and bunting created by local children. They can write 'wishes for the future' on the wishing wall and also post their Christmas letters.
The opening event will be held on 11th December, 4 - 7p.m. This will involve switching on of the Christmas lights, performances from local choirs and groups, children will be invited to hang their decorations and there will be a pop up cafe open to the public. Following this, there will be the official lighting of Tree of Remembrance across the road from the Centre. The Mayfield Christmas site will be open the following week to the public for viewing from Mon to Thurs, December 15th to 18th from 4 - 7pm.
Cork City Council has also installed illuminated Christmas trees in various locations across the Northside, in conjunction with local community groups. Trees have been places in Mayfield, St Lukes, Blackpool, Faranree, Gurranabraher and Knocknaheeny.
Adrienne Rodgers, chair of Northside for Business said ‘This is the second year of ‘A Northside Christmas’ and I encourage everyone to avail of these free events over the Christmas period’. For further information please see www.northsideforbusiness.ie or follow us on facebook.
Press Contact: Paul Mc Guirk 086 8398645