West Cork Development Partnership

16/10/2026

Check out these master pieces....hats of to John and his helpers....sown from seed and grown carefully and nurtured at Clonakilty Community Garden. Supported by the Tús community employment work initiative, this has brought a fabulous harvest and some beautiful autumnal colour. They are proving very popular on display and for sale at the Clonakilty Friday Market or by contacting John. All proceeds will be put back into the Community Garden in Clonakilty. If you would like to find out about how to purchase one of these beautiful organic pumpkins, get in contact with us here at [email protected] or 0238834035 and we'll share the contact details.








Department of Social Protection
Local Development Companies Network

14/10/2026

The AONTAS STAR Awards 2027 are now open for nominations. The awards recognise and celebrate outstanding adult learning initiatives from across Ireland and highlight the positive impact that community education, lifelong learning and inclusion projects have on individuals and communities.

Many ESF+ funded projects and organisations are delivering valuable work that supports learners, promotes social inclusion, improves wellbeing and creates opportunities for participation and progression. The STAR Awards provide an excellent opportunity to showcase this work and gain national recognition.

We encourage beneficiaries not only to share this opportunity within their networks, but also to consider submitting a nomination themselves.

Initiatives can be nominated under the following categories:
• Health & Wellbeing
• Third-Level Access & Engagement
• Social Inclusion
• Social Change
• Global Citizenship Education
• Learner Voice

No initiative is too big or too small. If your project is making a positive difference in the lives of adult learners, we encourage you to apply.

Key Information

📅 Nominations close: 30 October 2026 at 5pm

🔗 Submit a nomination: https://adultlearnersfestival.awardsplatform.com/

🔗 Further information and nomination resources: https://www.aontas.com/nominations-now-open-for-the-aontas-star-awards-2027/

Aontas has also developed guidance materials and video tutorials to support applicants throughout the nomination process.

AONTAS' Pre-Budget Submission 2027 calls for investment in adult learning, Further Education and Training, and community education to remove barriers to learning and build a more equal Ireland.

13/10/2026

Volunteers needed to join English language conversation group in Bandon on Tuesdays (1.30-3pm)

Come join our fabulous, welcoming, small team of volunteers, you don’t need any special skills or experience. Contact Amanda on 0872101514.

Cork Volunteer Centre
Bantry Notice Board

12/10/2026

Join Christine Madden for this engaging and informative workshop on the 19th October 10am -12pm in Bandon Family Centre.
Whether you are a parent, grandparent, carer, family member or just interested in learning more, you are very welcome. To reserve a place please email [email protected]

12/10/2026

Some photos of a beautiful wedge tomb in Kilbronogue c 2000 BC which up until recently had been covered by overgrowth.

The site has been cleared and there is now an accessible pathway of 225 metres from the road.

This clearance work was carried out by Rural Social Scheme workers on the Mizen Peninsula here in west Cork recently.

It is now well signposted and has been the subject of great interest with many people visiting the site.

Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
Local Development Companies Network
Fastnet Trails , Ballydehob, Aughadown, Schull.

09/10/2026

🌍 Help shape a welcoming community for everyone.

The “Welcome To” project brings people to create a more welcoming community through small local acts that help foster belonging and connection. We're inviting anyone with an interest in community, inclusion and local action to join us for a public information evening. Come along to learn about the project, share your ideas and help shape what “Welcome To” could look like in your town.

For more information, please visit: www.welcometo.ie

Upcoming events:

📍 Bantry – 10 November, The Maritime Hotel, 19:30-21:00
📍 Skibbereen – 11 November, West Cork Hotel, 19:30-21:00
📍 Clonakilty – 17 November, O'Donovan's Hotel, 19:30-21:00
📍 Bandon – 18 November, Munster Arms Hotel, 19:30-21:00

Everyone is welcome. Please also consider sharing this post with any groups, clubs or networks you are involved with that may be interested, including Tidy Towns groups, sports clubs, choirs, residents' associations, community groups, youth organisations, business networks, arts and cultural groups, and men's and women's groups.











Skibbereen Tidy Towns
Bantry Tidy Towns
Bandon Tidy Towns Group
Clonakilty Tidy Towns
Clonakilty Notice Board
Cork Volunteer Centre
West Cork Community
West Cork People - The Best Free Read in West Cork
The Southern Star
Bantry Notice Board
Skibbereen Notice Board
Bandon Notice Board

06/10/2026

Slowing down for Autumn at the West Cork Feel Good Festival

HSE South West, in partnership with the HSE 49 North Street hub in Skibbereen and local community organisations, is inviting everyone to take part in the 14th annual West Cork Feel Good Festival, running from 9-16 October.

The festival aims to promote mental wellbeing through inclusive and uplifting events and this year’s theme is ‘Ag moilliú do’n Fhómhar’ (Slowing down for Autumn).

Festival highlights include:
•Céiliúradh Continued: A celebration of 10 years at HSE South West’s 49 North Street hub
•The Listening Project at Skibbereen Town Hall, to coincide with World Mental Health Day on 10 October
•Stoytelling in Dunmanway
•Music including Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, John Spillane, Ger Wolfe, The Éirí 49 Céilí band and Tolu Makay
•Comedy in Clonakilty with Bernard O’Shea
•Film and more at Bantry Community Café
•Healthy Cooking and Living with Hungry Soul
•‘An Insanely Good Sunday’ collaboration, as part of Ireland’s presidency of the European Union
•Go leor Gaeilge, including Gamelan Spéacha Geala, Abair Amhrán and Fite Fuaite

There will also be a programme of more informal workshops running throughout the entire month of October.

The new website is also live and more listings being added regularly.https://westcorkfeelgoodfestival.ie/

05/10/2026

Art of botanical skincare workshop. On Friday the 9th Oct 10am-11:30 in Bandon Join Amanda Tobin for this fantastic workshop. To register email [email protected]

02/10/2026

A flavour of yesterday’s action packed day 1 of Local Development Companies Network National Conference Bridging Policy, People and Place

29/09/2026

Just what everyone needed .....permission to pause and .....connect with your inner silence.

West Cork Development Partnership had a great start to .

Jimeve part of our wonderful Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme team kindly hosted a free sound bath to kick things off and like the ones that have gone before ....it went down an absolute treat.

This is supported under the SICAP (Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme).

The benefits of sound healing include: Stress reduction, better sleep and increased mental clarity. Inviting deeper awareness and relaxation from the calming sounds and vibrations that soothe the nervous system. Thank you Jimeve and thank you to the participants, it was fab-u-lous!