Cobh Tidy Towns

01/09/2026

SEASONS END AT AN GEARRÁN
It’s time for the final cut of the meadow at An Gearrán in College Manor. Most of the native flowers that attracted pollinators all summer have gone to seed and are ready for their final act. Soon the scythes will be out and the process of providing next year’s bounty will begin. Scything helps the seeds reach the soil whereas strimming would leave a mulch layer which seeds can’t pe*****te. It is also important to remove all cuttings to reduce the fertility of the soil which leads to more species rich grasslands.
Not all the area will be cut. The heavily grassed areas may appear unsightly but they are overwintering homes for a lot of wildlife- Bumblebee queens and butterfly larvae in particular are very dependant on these grass tussocks for protection.
Mowsaic (rotational) cutting of the meadow during the summer has provided late flowering for a few stragglers. Butterfly species and numbers have increased over the last couple of years as the meadow matured and this year we had our first Common Blues which rely solely on Birds -foot- trefoil .
It’s not the end of activity at An Gearrán for the year – now that the schools are back our school liaison team of Brenda and Mairead will be visiting Primary schools to share information about this and many of our educational biodiversity initiatives around Cobh.

01/09/2026

In case you missed it on the media, from today Litter fines increase to €250 💸 👀👀

So you might stop and think now before you -throw your cigarette butt on the ground or out your car window 🚬
-fire a cup or bottle out of your vehicle on the Fota Road or any road 🧋
- drop a shopping bag full of your rubbish beside a public litter bin 🛍️
- spill your fast food wrappers from your car after you’ve eaten down the Five foot way or anywhere around Great Island
-leave your empty coffee cups and cigarette butts at the bus stop
- ignore your dog 💩

It could be a very costly error! 👀👀👀👀

01/09/2026

It’s the 1st of September and this month in your calendar a lovely photo by Tara O’Donovan of sunshine on the Holy Ground Strand. A must visit area to see the fabulous work done by the Holy Ground Strand Project since this photo was taken!
We’ll be looking for your photos for consideration for the 2027 Cobh Tidy Towns Calendar so start looking through your photos taken in all seasons.

29/08/2026

Listening to the torrential rain last night and early this morning you mightn’t have thought we’d get out today! At 10 the sun blinkered through and we headed off to litter pick, collect fallen flowers, scrape bollards and trim tree growth. Lovely to get out and also have an invite for a cuppa and cakes in the stunning Sirius Arts Centre. ❤️

28/08/2026

Now the season is changing and everyone is back to school there are some lovely opportunities to broaden your horizons in Cobh this September.
Cobh Library hosts Clara Cooney for a talk on managing food waste at home with some ideas for meal planning.
Cork College of FET, Cobh Centre host an information day about all their courses on offer.
Cobh Family Resource Centre have a Beginner level mobile phone training course.
Cobh - Autism Friendly Town are having an evening in Official Cobh - Great Island Community Centre helping us build a more inclusive community.
All the details are below. Please share with someone in your life you may not be in social media.

26/08/2026

Wow how beautiful Downstairs Cobh 🍁🍂

Is it too early to be putting fairy lights in the window? ✨️

Three 12 hours days later and the shop is Autumn ready, finally.

Yes, these few days were extremely long but it was also the first time in a long, long time that I actually enjoyed being in the shop. Had the blinds down, enjoyed listening to music while working and just having the time for myself and my thoughts - and plans for the future.

Summer this year was just neverending...and the year also started very busy for me since February...and it just did not stop. The shop did in a way take a life of its own this year and I do see now (wow being kind to myself) that I actually did create an amazing space. But I definitely overdid it with the opening every or almost every day this year. Now, I did do this to myself, it was my choice to open most days...and it is not sustainable I can tell you that. I've been cranky & anxiety through the roof as my social battery is on a constant minimum...and I am no good to anyone like this.

I want this business to make me happy again like it did for the past few days.
..so

I will be taking 1 (one), sometimes even 2 (two) days off again from now to do things that are not work related and to recharge 😂
..and, considering the Summer is officially over - I am going to celebrate Saturday and will close the shop this Sunday (30th of August) 😂😂

Thank you all for giving me so much support and love since the very start, this shop would not be what it is now if it were not for all of you.

x

26/08/2026

And the community spirit keeps going in Cobh! Thanks to Garvey's Supervalu Cobh for their lovely colouring competition for Cobh school kids featuring our beautiful wildlife bench in the Promenade! Time to get creative. You can pick up the picture to colour in SuperValu.

IT’S COMPETITION TIME🎨

Due to Cobh Tidy Towns celebrating 50 years and the amazing work they do for the town, we are running a competition for all primary schools 🏆

Pop into store and collect your colouring competition sheet. Drop your sheet back into our colouring competition box in store to be in with a chance to win goodie bags for your class!

Closing date is September 30th 🗓️
Best of luck!!!

25/08/2026

Thank you to everyone for your positive messages today about our little film “Little Bit, Big Difference”. It’s pinned to the top of our page for all to see and is on the television in Garvey's Supervalu Cobh.
The first people to see it were the stars of the show, the residents who participated, representing all of those in Cobh who contribute to caring for our town.
We were delighted to welcome them and their guests to the Premiere last night in the Commodore Hotel. Everyone’s contributions were celebrated with some humour to add to the night!
Congratulations to all and we hope your well deserved Oscars have pride of place in your homes!
Thankyou to The Commodore Hotel, Cobh team for looking after us so well and Dan Noonan for the screen & sound. Our final thank you again to our hardworking volunteers Grace & Rosarii along with the very talented Brian Oglanby for creating this wonderful piece. They got Oscars too. 🎬🏆

25/08/2026

When a town like Cobh reaches towards the top in the Tidy Towns competition, it's because hundreds of people are doing their bit.
Today Cobh Tidy Towns shares with you a special short film acknowledging the ongoing work that goes on among neighbours and residents in Cobh contributing to the beautiful town we have. To capture everyone here would take a feature length movie so here is a taste of people doing their bit and making a difference. Huge thanks to all who participated and thank you to everyone who makes an effort in Cobh.
Special thanks to volunteers Grace and Rosarii for bringing the project together and the amazing Brian Oglanby for filming and editing this celebration of community spirit. We're feeling so proud of our town and all who live here!
Keep an eye out in Garveys SuperValu Cobh for screening of “Little Bit, Big Difference” on their in store screen from today.
TidyTowns Ireland Garvey's Supervalu Cobh SuperValu Ireland Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Cork County Council Cobh & Harbour Chamber Cork's Harbour Community News and Events Yay Cork Muintircork Cork Beo In Cobh Cobh Edition Cobh News