User:rorynoonanDate:17/03/2013Time:15:55:24Edition:18/03/2013ACAllAboutCork180313Page:1Color:
AC - V1
ALL ABOUT CORK 1
(YHQLQJ (FKR Monday, March 18, 2013
Monday, March 18
Barracka upgrade Dancers spring off to Boston leads to one-way
Three members of the Christine Forde School Of Irish Dancing — Michelle Martin, Kellie Mahon and Lucy Cummins — who will take part in the World Irish Dancing Championships in Boston on March 24, at a reception held by Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Emmett O’Halloran at City Hall. Picture: Eddie O’Hare
THREE young Cork dancers will compete at the Irish Dancing World Championships in Boston later this month. Competition will be stiff for Michelle Martin, from Farranree, in the 10 to 11-year-old category, and for Kellie Mahon, from Glanmire, and Lucy Cummins, from The Lough, both in the 12 to 13-year-old group. Each category has up to 150 entries, with the best Irish dancers from all
By DAVID LINNANE
over the world travelling to compete. But their teacher, Christine Forde, has high hopes for the girls, who will represent Munster in the competition. “We’re very proud of them. They’re so dedicated. Within Munster they did very well, and we hope that they all carry on with their success.� The girls, along with many others at the Christine Forde School of Irish
Dancing, based in The Lough and Farranree, train hard every week. Classes take place three times a week, and all the girls practice in their spare time too. But despite the difficulty, Ms Forde said that it was a great hobby for them, with many benefits. “It’s beneficial for their confidence, and it’s a social network for them. They get to meet people and get to travel around Ireland, and now the world.�
AS WORK on the upgrade of lower Barrack Street nears completion, funding has been approved to carry out work on the upper section. Barrack Street is being made one-way in a downhill direction, which will allow the footpaths to be widened and new lighting and road surfaces to be installed. The first phase of the works has been confined to the lower narrow section of the street next to Elizabeth Fort. Funding of close to â‚Ź500,000 has now been secured for the upper section. Local Independent city councillor Mick Finn, pictured right, said this work would complement the work being done on the lower stretch. “Proposals for the next stage are due to be advertised shortly and this is further good news for the area,â€? he said. “I am hopeful that Reed Square and the Prosperity Square area — that has experiences large volumes of diverted traffic during ongoing works on Barrack Street — will be
By ALAN HEALY resurfaced as part of this work: the road surfaces have taken a hammering and need to be done. “While the work seems to have taken a long time, Barrack Street is beginning to look well again and the improvements will benefit all,� he said.
Members of the Christine Forde School of Irish Dancing with Cllr O’Halloran at City Hall.
Picture: Eddie O’Hare