Out and About in West Cork

June Walton, Kinsale, with Poppy at the Ahiohill Vintage Club Christmas lights tractor run. (Photo: David Patterson)

Aisling O'Mahony, Kinsale, Chloe Ryan, Ballinascarthy, and Aisling Maguire, Rathpeacon, at theJingle Bell Bash in the Ballinascarthy Community Hall. (Photo: Martin Walsh)

Deirdre Carney, Kinsale and Mary Wilmot, Bandon at the Dunderrow NS Parents Association Christmas cookery demonstration this week. (Photo: John Allen)

Frances Lane, Michelle Collins, Sinead Kelly, and Ellie O'Reilly, all from Ballinascarthy. (Photo: Andy Gibson)

May Donovan, Kim Wickham, Annie Young and Fiach Wickham, all from Bantry at the Live Crib over the weekend (Photo: Andy Gibson)

Mia Kwoka, Rosscarbery, Mia Collins, Leap, and Ethel Hayes, Rosscarbery at the Leap Lights Up Parade. (Photo: Andy Gibson)

Theo O'Shea and his grandad Denis O'Shea, Drimoleague at the Drinagh Tractor. (Photo: Anne Minihane)

Enjoying some eats at the Carol Service in Ardfield in aid of Ardfield/Rathbarry First Responders were (left to right): Eli White, Hugo Geaney, Rian Sean Gaynor and Grace O'Donovan. Photo: Martin Walsh.

Dunmanway, West Cork, Ireland. 18th Dec, 2025. A huge Christmas Lights display is wowing the population of Dunmanway and its surrounds. The brainchild of Michael & Chrissy O'Mahony, the charity light display has even been viewed by a family from Co. Tipperary. The lights have been a tradition for 20 years and this year the proceeds are going to Breakthrough Cancer Research; West Cork Palliative Care and Co-Action Dunmanway. The display runs until 6th January. at P47 NN67. Pictured are Michael & Chrissy O'Mahony with their Tree of Remembrance in the background. Picture: Andy Gibson.

Dunmanway, West Cork, Ireland. 18th Dec, 2025. A huge Christmas Lights display is wowing the population of Dunmanway and its surrounds. The brainchild of Michael & Chrissy O'Mahony, the charity light display has even been viewed by a family from Co. Tipperary. The lights have been a tradition for 20 years and this year the proceeds are going to Breakthrough Cancer Research; West Cork Palliative Care and Co-Action Dunmanway. The display runs until 6th January. at P47 NN67. Pictured are Michael & Chrissy O'Mahony with just a part of their Christmas Lights display. Picture: Andy Gibson.

Santa's Elves, Grace de Long (left) and Sarah Marie O'Sullivan at the Believe Model Village, Clonakilty. Photo: Martin Walsh.

Cuppa's in Clon: Clonakilty's Moya Knowles (left ) with Ailise O'Sullivan (centre) and Jessica Crowley both from Skibbereen met up for a cuppa in Clonakilty. Photo: Martin Walsh.

Marion Singleton, Courtmacsherry and her daughter Eimear out and about in Clonakilty. Photo: Martin Walsh.

Members of Clonakilty Rugby Club at their Christmas raffle hub in Astna Square (left to right): Garret and Calum McCabe and William Deasy. Photo: Martin Walsh.

Visiting Santa Claus at Believe Model Village were (left to right): Shane and Caelan Buttimer, Yvonne McEvoy, Lisa Indie and David Breen, all from Clonakilty. Photo: Martin Walsh.

Cally McCarthy and Vincent O'Donovan, two of the original organisers behind the Broadstrand charity swim in 1975, will take the plunge again on Christmas Day, marking the 50th anniversary of the event. Individuals or groups can take part at any point over the festive period and donations can be made at gofundme.com/f/broadstrand-swim or directly to the Courtmacsherry Development Association.

Rosscarbery, West Cork, Ireland. 17th Dec, 2025. Reenascreena National School held its Christmas concerts at the Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery last night. With 50 school children performing, the room was packed with parents and relatives. Pictured at the event were Zach; Amanda & Farah McCarthy from Reenascreena. Picture: Andy Gibson.

Rosscarbery, West Cork, Ireland. 17th Dec, 2025. Reenascreena National School held its Christmas concerts at the Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery last night. With 50 school children performing, the room was packed with parents and relatives. Pictured at the event were Conor Crowley; Daniel Lettice and Patrick Juosponis, all from Reenascreena. Picture: Andy Gibson.

Rosscarbery, West Cork, Ireland. 17th Dec, 2025. Reenascreena National School held its Christmas concerts at the Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery last night. With 50 school children performing, the room was packed with parents and relatives. Preparing to perform in the concert were Farah McCarthy, Reenascreena; Marilouise Calnan, Ballygurteen and Katie Fitzpatrick, Leap. Picture: Andy Gibson.

“Taking time for a quick visit,” Despite all his preparations for the big day, Santa Claus took time off to visit the village of Leap for their Leap Light Up Parade and meet the children of the parish. The funding raised from the event will benefit the primary schools of the parish.

Schull Gifted winter solstice Christmas market organisers Tim O'Connor, Amanda O'Connell and Karen Sheehan at Schull Main Street. Photo by Carlos Benlayo

Maria O'Toole and her daughter Michaela (5), with Shoko Desmond and her daughter Emiko (2), as they explore the Winter Solstice Christmas Market in Schull. Photo by Carlos Benlayo

The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) welcomed new members from Cork recently including Dr Timothy Cronin from Bantry, at a special ceremony at No 6 Kildare Street in Dublin. Included in the photo are Sandra Cronin, Joe Cronin, Dr Sally Kemp and RCPI president Dr Diarmuid O’Shea.

Bantry, West Cork, Ireland. 21st Dec, 2025. Bantry Christian Fellowship Church held a live crib event today. Sheep, goats, a donkey, calves, ducks and hens all made an appearance. Enjoying the live crib event were Ciara & Callum Hurley from Bantry. Picture: Andy Gibson.

Bantry, West Cork, Ireland. 21st Dec, 2025. Bantry Christian Fellowship Church held a live crib event today. Sheep, goats, a donkey, calves, ducks and hens all made an appearance. Feeding a sheep was Arved Guth from Adrigole. Picture: Andy Gibson.

Bantry, West Cork, Ireland. 21st Dec, 2025. Bantry Christian Fellowship Church held a live crib event today. Sheep, goats, a donkey, calves, ducks and hens all made an appearance. Enjoying petting a goat was Ayda Ross from Drimoleague. Picture: Andy Gibson.

Enniskeane, West Cork, Ireland. 18th Dec, 2025. With just a week until the big day, St. Mary's Central School, Enniskeane held its Christmas concert today. Three classes performed plays, songs and poetry in front of the rest of the school. Enjoying the concert were 6th class students Szilvi Babuschik and Grace Kenneally. Picture: Andy Gibson.

Enniskeane, West Cork, Ireland. 18th Dec, 2025. With just a week until the big day, St. Mary's Central School, Enniskeane held its Christmas concert today. Three classes performed plays, songs and poetry in front of the rest of the school. Bria O'Mahony; Viktoria Brovar and Oisín Rua Leneghan from 1st class. Picture: Andy Gibson.

NEWS 14/12/2025 Pictured at the Christmass Market hosted by O'Donovans on the square, Bandon was Abby Ho, Ho on the go catering with Lisa Collins, Gaza Go Bragh and Aisling Colins, Candles and Craftes. Picture Denis Boyle

NEWS 14/12/2025 Pictured at the Christmass Market hosted by O'Donovans on the square, Bandon was Sean O'Donovan with Catherine Ronan and Colm Scally with their books of poetry. Picture Denis Boyle

Kilbrittain's Kate Wall (centre) a West Cork Sports Star monthly award winner with (left to right): Meabh Cahalane, Eimear Hurley (also members of St. Finbarr's Camogie Club, her mum Sheila and sister Ellen at the awards presentation in the Celtic Ross Hotel last Sunday evening. Photo: Martin Walsh.

Ballinascarthy, West Cork, Ireland. 19th Dec, 2025. A community ball was held at Ballinascarthy Community Centre on Friday night last. Around 200 people sat down for a dinner and enjoyed entertainment by violinist Aisling Sage and rock band The Monks. Pictured at the event are Gareth & Marian O'Hara and Cillian McCabe and Agnieszka Hernon, all from Ballinascarthy. Picture: Andy Gibson.

Ballinascarthy, West Cork, Ireland. 19th Dec, 2025. A community ball was held at Ballinascarthy Community Centre on Friday night last. Around 200 people sat down for a dinner and enjoyed entertainment by violinist Aisling Sage and rock band The Monks. Pictured at the event are Joe, Gill & Paudie O'Leary from Ballinascarthy. Picture: Andy Gibson.

NEWS 7/12/2025 Pictured at the Valley Rovers GAA Christmas market at Innishannon community hall were sisters Vivi and Merryn Rawbone who were selling their jams we,er Jammin. Picture Denis Boyle

NEWS 7/12/2025 Pictured at the Valley Rovers GAA Christmas market at Innishannon community hall was Phil and Michelle Lawlor. Picture Denis Boyle

Dunderrow NS Parents Association hosted a Christmas focussed cookery demonstration this week. Pictured are chef Dave Rice with parents association members Helen Collier and Nicola When and school principal Tríona Hannon.
Picture. John Allen
Dunderrow National School was aglow with Christmas cheer on Tuesday 16th December with acclaimed chef and school parent Dave Rice taking the festive fuss out of the cooking. The school's Parents Association hosted a Christmas focussed cookery demonstration with a large crowd in attendance.
The event raised an incredible €1,850, which will support ongoing initiatives for the students including a major update of classroom libraries, resources for the new construction in maths curriculum, PE equipment and contributing to class tours and outings such as bus costs.
A short drive from Kinsale and Innishannon, Dunderrow N.S. has 200 students, a proud school community and a friendly and homely atmosphere. It boasts many exceptional facilities including a recently installed all weather astro turf pitch, sensory room, school yard and indoor hall facilities. For more information please visit our website www.dunderrowns.ie

Kinsale & District Lions Club received the prestigious Lions Clubs International Club Excellence Award for the 2024/2025. Cormac Fitzgerald, President Kinsale Lions accepted the award from Lions Club Ireland District Governor Marian McGreevey,
Picture. John Allen

Happy Elf Catherine Wilson with Santa and Mrs Claus on horseback in Kinsale collecting for Kinsale Community Hospital.
Picture. John Allen

Spending Christmas in Castletownbere Back: left to right- Bogdan&Monica Furtuna ,Constantin Melinte, Carina Furtuna
Front left-right: Bogdan,Ana,Luca,Matei Popovici,Eugenia Moisuc,Mariana Melinte Picture: Anne Marie Cronin Photography