Latest news with #Padraig
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- General
- Irish Examiner
Plans for student accommodation facility at site of former Cork convent paused
Plans for a new student accommodation facility with 957-bed spaces on the site of a former convent, orphanage and Magdalene laundry in Cork city have been paused following several objections. An Coimisiún Pleanála has received four separate appeals against the decision of Cork City Council to grant planning permission for 274 student apartments in a large-scale residential development on lands of the former Good Shepherd Convent on Convent Avenue, Sunday's Well in the north-west of the city. They include objections from the community representative group, Blarney Street & Surrounding Areas Community Association. The proposed development by Bellmount Good Shepherd Limited — which is owned by developer brothers, Padraig and Seamus Kelleher — on a 3.57-hectare site will consist of eight student accommodation apartment blocks ranging in height from three to five storeys. A separate three-story mixed-use building is also planned with shops on the ground floor and student accommodation on the upper floors. The proposed works involve the partial demolition, conservation and redevelopment as well as extension of the former Good Shepherd Convent buildings. It is planned that the existing Gate Lodge will be converted to operate as a café and provide co-working space. Most of the buildings on the site are now derelict and have suffered extensive fire damage with all floors, roofs and interior finishes destroyed as a result of a series of fires including one in April 2025. The convent which opened in 1870, was closed by the Good Shepherd Sisters order in 1977. University College Cork had planned to use the former convent and its lands for a new campus in the 1990s before abandoning the project. Figures collated by Justice for Magdalenes Research show the names and of 195 women and girls who died at the Good Shepherd laundry were recorded. One of the conditions imposed by Cork City Council in its decision to grant planning permission for the student accommodation facility stipulates that all construction work on the site should stop if any human remains are found. An artist impression of 950-bed student accommodation development at the long-derelict Good Shepherd Convent in Cork City. In its appeal, the Blarney Street & Surrounding Areas Community Association said it understood the need for student housing but it had serious concerns about the suitability of the specific proposal and location. The group's chairperson, Tom Coleman, claimed the proposal represents overdevelopment of the site and would be out of character with the surrounding area. He said locals were concerned that the facility would result in increased noise levels, particularly during evenings and weekends. 'This does nothing to improve social cohesion or foster a sense of long-term community, which is meant to be one of the stated priorities of Cork City Council's development strategy,' said Mr Coleman. He pointed out the area already suffered from total gridlock, while the assumption that all students would use sustainable forms of transport meant the provision for private car use was 'grossly understated.' The group claimed the proposed development would result in hundreds of additional car journeys every week in an already congested residential area which could also impede access for emergency services. Another appellant, Jurek Kirakowski, said it made no sense to create a large student centre on the northside of the Lee when the two main third-level institutions in Cork were mostly located south of the river. Another objector, Martin Krase, said the fact that none of the previous permissions to develop the site had been acted on showed it was neither suitable nor viable for a large-scale development. However, Bellmount said the proposed development, which is planned to be constructed over five phases, would deliver much needed new development of purpose-built student accommodation within Cork City. 'The proposed development will see student accommodation provided in a location that is very accessible to high-level education campuses by means of walking, cycling and public transport,' the company stated. It added: 'The development will contribute to a mixed and inclusive neighbourhood by way of layout and shared amenity uses.' A ruling on the various appeals is due by early November 2025.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Australia golfer's hot start to Senior British Open
Australia's Mark Hensby has fired five consecutive birdies in a dream start to the Senior British Open and holds second spot after the opening round. Hensby is a shot adrift of New Zealander Steve Alker who set the early pace with a stellar seven-under 63 on Thursday at Sunningdale in Berkshire, England. Hensby's 64 featured five-straight birdies to start - he landed two more, but also a bogey, in his six-under round. "The first three holes, I wasn't outside three feet," the 54-year-old said. The winner of the ISPS HANDA Senior Open will qualify for the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Hensby has played in @TheOpen three times, most recently in 2007, with two top-25 opening with a 6-under 64 at Sunningdale, he's one off the lead as he… — PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) July 24, 2025 "The back nine probably is a little bit more difficult ... there's a couple of tricky tee shots." Last month, Hensby was tied with Padraig Harrington and Stewart Cink going into the final round of the US Senior Open before finishing fourth, an experience he planned to draw upon in coming days. "I learned a lot playing with Padraig and Stewart the last day," he said. "You don't have to be perfect and, unfortunately, we feel like we have to. "Padraig played great the last nine holes and it was fun to be there and watch and competing, even though I wasn't in contention the last nine holes." Hensby, whose only senior tour victory is the 2023 Invited Celebrity Classic, trails Alker who had no issues with the back nine, shooting five-under 30 in the stretch. American Joe Durant and South Korea's KJ Choi, the defending champion, are tied for third at four-under with a host of players a further shot back, including Harrington and Ernie Els.
Perth Now
7 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Australia golfer's hot start to Senior British Open
Australia's Mark Hensby has fired five consecutive birdies in a dream start to the Senior British Open and holds second spot after the opening round. Hensby is a shot adrift of New Zealander Steve Alker who set the early pace with a stellar seven-under 63 on Thursday at Sunningdale in Berkshire, England. Hensby's 64 featured five-straight birdies to start - he landed two more, but also a bogey, in his six-under round. "The first three holes, I wasn't outside three feet," the 54-year-old said. "The back nine probably is a little bit more difficult ... there's a couple of tricky tee shots." Last month, Hensby was tied with Padraig Harrington and Stewart Cink going into the final round of the US Senior Open before finishing fourth, an experience he planned to draw upon in coming days. "I learned a lot playing with Padraig and Stewart the last day," he said. "You don't have to be perfect and, unfortunately, we feel like we have to. "Padraig played great the last nine holes and it was fun to be there and watch and competing, even though I wasn't in contention the last nine holes." Hensby, whose only senior tour victory is the 2023 Invited Celebrity Classic, trails Alker who had no issues with the back nine, shooting five-under 30 in the stretch. American Joe Durant and South Korea's KJ Choi, the defending champion, are tied for third at four-under with a host of players a further shot back, including Harrington and Ernie Els.
Irish Independent
03-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Fr Amos is leaving Kerry and will ‘miss going to Croke Park' the most
Kerry and Tralee have become a second home to Fr Amos since arriving at the dioceses in August 2019 along with Fr Vitalis Barasa. Fr Amos has already been approached about changing his green and gold jersey for a Cork one, but the sense is he is in no rush. It's the little acts of kindness that Fr Amos experienced from parishioners, many miles from his native Kitale in Kenya, that will make certain of Tralee holding a place in his heart long after he crosses the county bounds. Appointed to St Brendan's parish in August 2020, Fr Amos insists Tralee folk made him feel like 'one of their own' – which is the most definitive way Tralee people can give credibility to one's character. Fr Amos was only in Kerry seven months when the COVID pandemic struck. This delayed his interaction with parishioners for over a year. At one point he knew the names, voices and personalities of his parishioners, but not their faces. This was due to compulsory mask wearing. 'It was a difficult start during that time. By then, I was working at St John's after which I moved to St Brendan's Parish. I've had a really good time here,' Fr Amos said. 'I will remember the good people of Tralee, especially at St Brendan's. Fr Padraig (Walsh) has been very supportive to me. I feel very comfortable at St Brendan's and I won't forget the staff at the parish. The entire community of St Brendan's Parish have made me feel welcome and one of their own. I feel a big loss leaving them,' he added. Fr Amos understands his vocation requires him to find pastures new and a new flock. Sad as this is, he is viewing it as a new chapter in his life. 'All credit goes to the people of Tralee for the support they have given me,' he said. 'I must say, it has been a big change in my life. I've adapted to the weather, although at times I still struggle. The language was a struggle a little bit at the start. I'm not perfect now but at least I've experienced a big improvement. When it comes to food, I eat most of the food now. Generally, I feel like I'm more at home,' he added. It didn't take Fr Amos long to discover the place reserved for football in Kerry life. A keen follower of the green and gold and Austin Stacks GAA Club, he was a regular at games in Tralee and enjoyed journeying to Croke Park. 'One of the things I was telling Fr Padraig that I will really miss is going to Croke Park to see Kerry. I don't mean that I'll not be gong to Croke Park now. But being in Castletownbere might be a little bit challenging compared to when I am in Tralee. For sure, that is one thing I will really miss,' he said. 'But I will be attending football games within the county (Cork). If I find the opportunity, I will go to Croke Park. Some people have advised me that I need to have a red jersey now,' he laughs. Lastly, Fr Amos explained that when he first heard the news he was leaving Tralee it brought both sadness and joy. 'Sad because I'm leaving a place where I have settled; a place where I've created friends; a place that was kind of my comfort zone,' he said. 'But also a happy feeling because this is the nature of the ministry. It's also an opportunity to work in a different part of the dioceses and meet different people. It's an opportunity for me to learn and to grow. I will always remember Tralee and I will always come back,' Fr Amos said.
The Irish Sun
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Padraig Harrington's dog plays hilariously cute role in Irish golfer's US Senior Open celebrations
IT WAS an excellent weekend for Team Padraig Harrington with even his dog Rio enjoying the sweet taste of success. The Irish golf legend 3 The tournament was held in Colorado Springs, Colorado Credit: Getty 3 A welcome treat given Colorado is going through a mini-heatwave Credit: @padraig_h 3 Son Ciarán and wife Caroline were there to support him and caddie Ronan Flood in their efforts Credit: Getty In the aftermath of his latest major triumph, the Rathfarnham native shared an amusing video of Rio cooling off with an ice pop. He captioned it: "A celebratory ice pop for Rio. Peanut butter and banana." Fans of the two-time British Open winner congratulated him whilst also looking forward to next month's edition which will be held at Royal Portrush in Antrim. Stephen hailed: "Congrats Padraig, great champion of the game. Hopefully keep playing great for Portrush too!" Read More On Irish Sport Meanwhile Bryson (not DeChambeau) added: "Well done Padraig & Rio. Great win!" Lastly, while thinking of Padraig's other dog, Ron joked: "Hopefully you made things right with Maltbie." In winning the tournament, Harrington earned a payday of $800,000. He had been tied heading into the last round after a 68 on Saturday - the same as Australia's Mark Hensby and American Cink. Most read in Golf But the Stackstown icon held his nerve despite a tense final hole at Broadmoor Golf Club. He carded a three under par 70 final round, which saw him finish on a total of 11 under par. Ryder Cup legend in furious argument over golf etiquette with respected TV reporter at US Senior Open His score was enough to pip his friend Cink to the title by one stroke, with Jimenez a further shot back after a stunning seven under round of 63. It was the 2024 Golf Hall of Fame inductee's tenth Senior's Tour title. Afterwards an elated Harrington "Look, here I'm not thinking I'm going to miss the cut. Touch wood that doesn't happen. "I'm not thinking about that. If you brought me to a regular event Thursday afternoon I would be thinking about the cut line. "Whereas here I'm thinking how do I get myself into position. And even the first couple of days I got going and I could have got away from the field. "I dropped back a couple (shots). I was still going. All I want to be is with nine holes to go to give myself a chance and be in the right head space at that time." MIGUEL'S MISHAP Third-placed Jimenez rued his approach on the 18th as he ultimately ran out of holes to reel in Harrington's lead. Reflecting on his costly bogey, he vented: "If I had a chance to get on the green, I would go for that. "But as I was talking with my caddie, 'OK, maybe you can pass the water, but we cannot do anything from there. Is it worth the risk?' "Then I still need to go, but he's right. Then make not a bad wedge where I hit it after. "I went high left, more or less, pin high and missed it, but at least give myself a chance to make 4. But if I put it in the water, bye-bye."
