The parish of Kilshannig had a very busy year in 2012 with several events and activities taking place in each of its villages throughout the year. Community spirit and involvement was to the fore during the year in the many community and voluntary organisations who all brought their own special ideas and events to fruition.
The highlight of the year was the commemoration of the Lombardstown Railway Crash of 1912. Lombardstown Community Council commemorated the centenary of Lombardstown Railway Crash by unveiling a commemorative stone in the village to a huge audience on one of those rare summer days in August. The community council also published a book titled The History of Lombardstown Railway Station, which was compiled and researched by local man Donie O’ Sullivan and this publication is still in great demand. Lombardstown Community Council also hosted its very first “Milk the Bald Cow” family fun day in the village. Located on the grounds of Lombardstown Tennis Club, the day was a roaring success with the tennis blitz and a range of activities such as local market stalls, bouncing castles, pet farm and many more were the highlight of the well organised event. Again, the weather was spectacular on the day which helped enormously to its success.
The community of Bweeng have also been very active during 2012 with the completion and recent opening of the parish’s very first playground. With the financial support of Cork County Council and IRD Duhallow, the children of Kilshannig can now enjoy a state of the art facility. Bweeng along with many other villages in the parish have grown considerably in recent years with a significant number of young families choosing to live in Kilshannig. The creation of a community playground has already enhanced the community life of the parish which is wonderful to see. The village is currently in the process of completing their floodlit amenity walkway around the sportsfield which will be yet another attraction and focal point in the village. The highlight of the year for Bweeng has to be the victorious Russian Grannies in the Bweeng Fancy Dress competition which featured as part of the villages annual festival weekend. The Bweeng ICA ladies went all out to showcase their many talents!
The establishment of Glantane Community Council was seen as a significant development for the village of Glantane during 2012. The council under the guidance of Maire Murphy has gone from strength to strength with the recent American Tea Party hailing as a roaring success. The group are well advanced in their planning to place a footpath from the village centre to the GAA complex in the New Year. Kilshannig GAA has also had a wonderful season with many achievements during the year which points to a bright future for the club and the parish. The club were recently grant aided €50,000 as part of the Sports Capital Fund 2012 and will be progressing with the development of the lower pitch in the New Year which will provide much more enhanced facilities for the club and the parish. Glantane cemetery was also enhanced during 2012 with new entrance and footpaths improved uder the guidance of the St. John Cemetery Committee with the financial support of Avondhu Blackwater Partnership. Both Glantane & Lombardstown Community Council’s both worked together during 2012 in collaboration with Cork County Council and secured funding from the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government for the replacement of debilitating water mains connecting both villages.
The village of Dromahane also progressed significantly during the year with Dromahane Development Association completing many enhancement works improving the aesthetics of the village. Dromahane Tennis Club continues to thrive with the continued utilisation of the courts. Dromahane National School is also undergoing a significant extension presently with funding secured for two new classrooms and two learning support rooms. Both other national schools in the parish, Glantane and Bweeng have also received funding for extensions which are currently well underway.
The unique tradition of crossroads dancing at Laharn Cross also continued during the summer of 2012 with many dancing enthusiasts enjoying the live music each and every Sunday night, which has now been in existence for 15 years.
Kilshannig has achieved so much during the year, sometimes, it is hard to comprehend all what has taken place. The parish which is one of the largest parishes in North Cork has achieved so much in 2012 and will continue in 2013 to make the parish a vibrant, social and welcoming community for everyone. Happy Christmas to all and all good wishes for 2013.