<![CDATA[Darrara Community Centre - Blog]]>Sat, 07 Mar 2026 01:07:36 +0000Weebly<![CDATA[Recipes from Our Flowers & Food Fundraiser with Lorna O’Regan]]>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 19:13:53 GMThttps://www.darraracommunitycentre.com/blog/recipes-from-our-flowers-food-fundraiser-with-lorna-oregan​As part of our Flowers & Food fundraiser at Darrara Community Centre, we were delighted to welcome Lorna O’Regan, who shared her passion for simple, healthy, nourishing food.

To continue the spirit of the evening, we are pleased to share three simple, delicious recipes: a homemade granola you’ll never need to buy again, a fresh and vibrant 
spring salad, and a better-for-you chocolate treat that proves healthy 
eating doesn’t mean missing out.

We hope you enjoy recreating these recipes at home! 

Picture
Picture
Picture
]]><![CDATA[Darrara Community Centre Supports Clonakilty Daffodil Day with Flowers & Food Fundraiser]]>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:53:39 GMThttps://www.darraracommunitycentre.com/blog/darrara-community-centre-supports-clonakilty-daffodil-day-with-flowers-food-fundraiserDarrara Community Centre is delighted to support Clonakilty Daffodil Day this year with a special Flowers & Food fundraising event on Wednesday, March 4th, with all proceeds going to the Irish Cancer Society.
Picture
A Community Evening for a Great Cause
Our Flowers & Food event promises to be a warm and welcoming evening, bringing people together to enjoy beautiful seasonal flowers, delicious food, and great company — all while raising funds for an important cause.

We are delighted to welcome two fantastic guest speakers:

Sheila Gilbert A.O.I.F.A. – an accomplished florist and member of the Association of Irish Floral Artists, who will share her expertise through a floristry demonstration.

Lorna O’ Regan – who will speak about nutrition and wellness, offering practical insights on wellbeing and healthy living, as well as some delicious recipes.

Guests will enjoy demonstrations, talks, a raffle and refreshments.

100% of ticket sales will go to the Clonakilty Daffodil Day campaign for the Irish Cancer Society, helping its vital work, including:
  • Providing support services for cancer patients and families
  • Funding life-saving cancer research
  • Offering practical help and information to those affected by cancer

We are excited to hear that Majella O'Donnell will be attending this year’s Clonakilty Daffodil Day on Friday March 20th, to help shine a spotlight on this important annual fundraiser. Majella is widely known and recognised for her advocacy work and for openly sharing her own experiences following her cancer diagnosis and journey. Her courage and openness have helped raise awareness and provide comfort and support to many people facing cancer.

Tickets have now booked out for Flowers & Food and we thank everyone for their support of our Clonakilty Daffodil Day / Irish Cancer Society fundraiser.
]]><![CDATA[3-act Comedy Show coming to Darrara]]>Thu, 22 Jan 2026 17:24:20 GMThttps://www.darraracommunitycentre.com/blog/test
Picture
​Get ready for a fantastic night of laughs as this hilarious 3-act comedy takes to the stage at Darrara Community Centre in February!

🎭 About the Show
Presented by the much-loved Ahakeera Drama Group, this lively comedy is set on the eve of a family wedding.  The unexpected return of an estranged family member results in caos.  Expect big laughs, great performances, and a brilliant night out for comedy lovers. 
📅 Saturday 7th February
🕗 8:00pm

🎟️ Ticket Information
Tickets are priced at €20 and can be purchased in the following ways:
By phone: (086) 390 3597
In person: At Darrara Community Centre on Saturday 24th & 31st January (11am–12 noon)
Online: Via Eventbrite (online booking fee applies) 

🚌 Complimentary Bus Service
A free bus will be available from Clonakilty for the night. Booking is essential, so be sure to reserve your seat early.

⚠️ Book Early!
This show is expected to sell out, so we strongly recommend booking as soon as possible—and please help spread the word among friends and family.

❤️ Supporting the Community
All proceeds from the show will go towards supporting the ongoing running costs of Darrara Community Centre and in turn the local community through our programme of activities and events. Your support makes a real difference!

We hope you can join us for what promises to be a brilliant evening of entertainment.

Enjoy the show!

Darrara Community Council
]]><![CDATA[January old clothes collection]]>Tue, 20 Jan 2026 13:22:59 GMThttps://www.darraracommunitycentre.com/blog/january-old-clothes-collection
Picture
Give your unwanted items a new purpose this January by supporting our Old Clothes Collection at Darrara Community Centre.

Collections take place every Saturday morning in January, with drop-offs welcome between 11:00 AM and 12:00 noon.

We are accepting ladies’, gents’ and children’s clothing, along with household textiles such as curtains, towels, and bed linen. Shoes, handbags, and belts are also welcome but must be bagged separately. Please place all clothing in strong black plastic bags. Unfortunately, duvets and pillows cannot be accepted.

All proceeds go directly towards the upkeep of Darrara Community Centre and help to support our local community.

If you’d like to donate but can’t make a Saturday drop-off, please contact 086 378 7905 to arrange an alternative time.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support 💚
]]><![CDATA[PHOTOS - Celebrating 40 Years of Darrara Community Council!]]>Thu, 30 Oct 2025 17:42:28 GMThttps://www.darraracommunitycentre.com/blog/photos-of-our-40th-anniversary-celebrations
We’re delighted to share photos from our 40th Anniversary celebrations!

We kicked off with a very special event on October 9th for all past and present members of Darrara Community Council who were invited to the Community Centre, along with distinguished guests: Mayor of Clonakilty Conan O’Donovan, Minister Christopher O’Sullivan TD, CEO of Muintir na Tíre Rosie Palmer, Fr. Tom Hayes, Monsignor Aidan O’Driscoll, and Claire Higgins, Principal of Darrara National School.

A reception was held on the night to honour every single Council member who played a part in our story over the past 40 years. Whether it was lifting floorboards or knocking partitions in 1985, selling tickets for the famous two-car draws, organising events, maintaining facilities, renewing gym memberships, fundraising, paying bills, submitting grant applications, pouring tea, catering for large crowds, setting goals – and all the countless other jobs that go with running a community centre on a 100% voluntary basis – their time, energy, and spirit secured the Old School building for future generations and helped make Darrara a vibrant, welcoming, and better place to live.

Chairperson Angela Linehan thanked everyone for the part they played, while remembering with fondness those who have passed. May they rest in peace.

Rosie Palmer, CEO of Muintir na Tíre, surprised Council members Noreen Harrington, Mary Anglin, and Pius Lyons with presentations of Certificates of Recognition for their “40 years of outstanding contribution to Darrara Community Council.” Paul McManus was also honoured “for overseeing the major redevelopment of the community centre in 2013–2014 and for serving as Chairperson for eight years.”

Community Party & Historic Exhibition

A wonderful Community Party and Historic Exhibition was hosted on October 12th, featuring the unveiling of our new “The Pound Cross” plaque, alongside members of the O’Sullivan family, in tribute to our much-missed and recently deceased PRO, Cionnaith O’Súilleabháin. His wife, Nina Ahern, had the honour of cutting the ribbon to officially open the Historic Exhibition.

Visitors were invited to take a trip through almost 140 years of local history — stepping back in time to explore Darrara through the ages. Highlights included:
  • 97-year-old class photographs from the Old School, featuring children who walked to school barefoot
  • A cosy “hot cocoa by the fire” display
  • Stories of the Ring Rovers GAA Club, established in 1945
  • Press clippings of the UFO sighting in Ring Village in 1979
  • Photos from the last day at the Old School in 1985 and the official opening of the New School in 1986
  • The development of Darrara Community Council over the past four decades
  • A Children’s Art Competition: “I Love Darrara – Past, Present & Future”
The exhibition became a real talking point locally, attracting hundreds of past pupils and residents over two weekends. It offered a wonderful opportunity to share memories, browse photos, and reconnect with friends and neighbours.

A Night of Storytelling to Close the Celebrations

Our celebrations concluded on October 18th with a beautiful Storytelling Show featuring Pakie O’Callaghan — of RTÉ fame and co-creator of the hit stage comedy Santa Ponsa or Bust. Pakie treated the audience to a heart-warming evening celebrating the wit, warmth, and wonder of Eamon Kelly, one of Ireland’s greatest storytellers.

Enjoy the photos, and thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating 40 years of Darrara Community Council!
]]><![CDATA[October 30th, 2025]]>Thu, 30 Oct 2025 16:46:32 GMThttps://www.darraracommunitycentre.com/blog/photos-of-our-40th-anniversary-celebrations4374491<![CDATA[the wonderful art of storytelling]]>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 22:22:20 GMThttps://www.darraracommunitycentre.com/blog/the-wonderful-art-of-storytellingIt was pure joy watching and listening to Pakie O’Callaghan bring the stories of seanchaí Eamonn Kelly to life on the stage of Darrara Community Centre on October 18th.
He cast us back in time to the stations and the missions, tales of matchmaking, and life in rural Ireland at its best. A night filled with nostalgia, laughter, and the magic of storytelling that reminds us who we are. 
Check out the video below:
Picture
]]><![CDATA[LET's WALK TO SCHOOL & TRACE THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE CHILDREN OF DARRARA IN 1887]]>Sat, 04 Oct 2025 19:22:14 GMThttps://www.darraracommunitycentre.com/blog/lets-walk-to-school
Picture
​On Sunday, October 12th, we are inviting everyone to walk to Darrara Old School / Darrara Community Centre and quite literally walk in the footsteps of the children of 1887.  It’s going to be a very special community day celebrating our history, our people, and the spirit of Darrara.

If you can’t manage to walk the full journey, why not park at a nearby location (e.g. Ring Village, Darrara National School, or Darrara Church) and walk from there?  Be safe: don’t forget your high-vis jacket.

If you’re driving, please car pool or arrange to be dropped off/collected. Parking will be limited, and attendants will be on hand to help.

​We also invite everyone to also wear a splash of our local colours – black or yellow!
Let’s fill the roads to Darrara Old School / Darrara Community Centre with smiles, stories, and colour, as we honour the generations who came before us. 

Spread the word and bring your family, friends, and neighbours – everyone is welcome!

Celebrations kick off at 2.30 pm with the unveiling of a new plaque and the official ribbon cutting of our exhibition.

​Read more about our 40th Anniversary Community Party & Historic Exhibition here:
​40th Anniversary Community Party & Historic Exhibition - Darrara Community Centre
]]><![CDATA[Takeaways & VIDEO FROM OUR Wellbeing Day]]>Thu, 02 Oct 2025 09:59:55 GMThttps://www.darraracommunitycentre.com/blog/takeaways-video-from-our-wellbeing-dayWhat a wonderful Thrive Together Wellbeing Day we had on September 25th! 

We began with warm introductions from Finbarr Motherway – Chairperson of Muintir na Tíre Seminar Group Cork, who kindly sponsored the event.

Sandra Good – Hearing Loss & Tinnitus Awareness Coordinator at the Cork Deaf Association – shared powerful insights on hearing loss, its impact on individuals and families, and the resources, tips, technology and supports that can truly make a difference.

We then heard from the inspiring Kevin McCormack – Mental Health Peer Support Coach, Poet & Performer – who explored mental health through cucumbers, drains, and radiators . He encouraged us to:
  • Stay active in our wellbeing
  • Stop catastrophising
  • Use mindfulness to regulate ourselves
  • Awaken to how things really are
  • Radiate more positivity
  • Practice self-compassion, gratitude, creativity and kindness
“You cannot gift from an empty bowl.” Kevin reminded us to be kind to ourselves, step outside our comfort zones, and he closed with a moving poem, ‘The Tin’.

We were delighted to have a packed house and welcome attendees from community groups across West Cork – Ballinascarthy, Ballinaspittle, Bandon, Clonakilty, Darrara, Kilbrittain, Rathbarry and more.

We're so grateful to Muintir Na Tire, the HSE Ireland Cork Kerry Community Healthcare team, and the Cork Deaf Association for their support in making this day possible. Huge thanks also to Denis Kelly – Community Development Officer at Muintir na Tíre Cork – it was a pleasure to coordinate the event with him

The day was topped off with tea & refreshments by our amazing catering team, a raffle with lots of great prizes, and fantastic entertainment by our musical friend Thomas O’Leary. 
​
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this event such a positive, uplifting experience.

Watch our Wellbeing Day video here:

Picture
]]><![CDATA[Presenting OUR Winter Schedule 2025/26]]>Thu, 18 Sep 2025 00:27:17 GMThttps://www.darraracommunitycentre.com/blog/presenting-our-winter-schedule-202526We're delighted to launch our Winter Schedule 2025/26, packed with activities and classes for all ages and interests. From fitness sessions, yoga, pilates, and céilí dancing, to art, crochet, and community groups, there’s something for everyone throughout the week. In addition, our gym is open daily, and we also have some very special events coming up to mark the 40th Anniversary of Darrara Community Council as a voluntary group. 
​ ​
For the latest information, please see the Winter Schedule below, follow us on social media, and sign up to our newsletter:
Picture
]]>