Many Mallow residents leave the town on a regular basis to go shopping in Blackpool, or the city center. Many more shop from the comfort of their homes via the internet. The belief is that Mallow is expensive and doesn’t have the variety, but those who take the time to challenge this belief are rewarded with a great shopping experience.

There have recently been big changes to the Mallow retail and services infrastructure. The Chamber of Commerce has been completely revamped into a progressive, responsive entity. Local traders have an active organisation which meets regularly. All in all, Mallow businesses are very focused on providing a quality shopping experience. Any local trader has a story or two about regular customers from far away who are regularly drawn back to Mallow because they love to shop here.

photo credit: lejoe

Some specialist purchases will still need to be sourced elsewhere, but Mallow can satisfy most requirements. Between the supermarkets and excellent butchers, greengrocers, bakers and delicatessens the weekly food shop is well and truly covered. I’ve personally sourced a lot of electronics and white goods locally, because the price was better than anything I could find on the internet.

Now that the bigger industries have largely left the town, Mallow depends on local businesses and retailers for it’s jobs and local economy. So this week, why not do your weekly shop in Mallow?

photo credit: Magnus D

More and more companies are looking to North Cork as a prime location. Lidl has a distribution center in Ballyhea, and Aldi is constructing another in Mitchelstown.  Furthermore, with the proposed M20 Cork Limerick motorway in prospect, combined with accessible rail, air and sea transport, the infrastructure looks very attractive.

Locals were thrilled at the prospect, with one resident enthusing “It would be fabulous for the town!”

The riders were mounted on a mix of motocross bikes and enduro bikes, and the dry course was punishing for all contestants, with tree roots exposed by the bikes acting as extra obstacles to the riders.

The event was well organised with plenty of staff to ensure riders and spectators kept safe, and the lovely Red Bull ladies were distributing the energy beverage, keeping the visitors hydrated and energised. Locals were full of praise for the event, which also featured music later on in the day. “It’s great for the town”, one shopkeeper enthused.

More information on the Steeple-Cross can be found here

The story of the world’s first ever steeplechase is here

photo credit: GOGO Visual

Cork Racecourse July 9th

Summary of last open coffee as published on http://opencoffeemallow.wordpress.com/
photo credit: philcampbell

Another day down, another Bank Holiday closer to summer. Some would ask “What summer?” but we know it’s on the way (once the ash clears!). There is a lot of scary stuff going on at the minute in Ireland. The country is mourning the loss of a favourite radio broadcaster, Gerry Ryan, while they are quickly approaching election day in the UK. Meanwhile an Irish rower has just traversed 2500 nautical miles across the Atlantic ocean, spending 118 days away from his family, and the Gulf of Mexico is slicked with crude oil. Some may be celebrating sporting wins over the weekend, and others drowning their sorrows, Irish style!

But in the library and then the bar of Springfort Hall today, there was little talk of losses today. Conversations crossed from twitter to local news to national politics and current affairs. There was  a lot of interest in the subject of Social Media and Social Networking, and especially the different takes on whether it should be used or not, and is it of any benefit.

With Web 2.0 firmly in place, who could argue that Social Networking is not the future, it’s the present. Businesses who are not “buying into” the concept of connecting with their clients and customers online, may find themselves in a dilemma by 2011.

So, Mallow Open Coffee are asking the question, are small businesses interested in learning more about the Web 2.0 world? Head over to the POLL page right now and cast your vote. We will certainly run a workshop if the need is there, even a taster of the benefits and uses of the various platforms that are now part of everyday business internet usage.

To achieve his Fellowship Morgan had to present a panel of twenty prints displaying originality, cohesion, artistic input, and technical ability.  Morgan’s panel consisted of photographs of interiors of old unoccupied Irish houses, and gave an intriguing insight into a time now gone, and how people lived.  The superb composition, and use of colour, varying from subtle to vivid, achieved in difficult lighting conditions, all helped to convince the judges that Morgan was worthy of the IPF’s highest award.

Morgan has been a member of Mallow Camera Club for a number of years now, and has won many photo competitions at club, regional, and national level.  He has represented the club on many occasions, and has also achieved international success, having being awarded Associateships from the Royal Photographic Society, and from FIAP (International Federation of Photographic Art).  Morgan is also a regular contributor to photographic competitions and exhibitions internationally.

On 24 April last Mallow Camera Club member Morgan O’Neill was awarded his Fellowship of the Irish Photographic Federation (IPF).  Only a handful of photographers achieve this award each year, often after many attempts.  Morgan not only achieved his Fellowship on his first attempt, but over the past few years the quality of his work has ensured his rapid rise through the ranks of Irish photography.To achieve his Fellowship Morgan had to present a panel of twenty prints displaying originality, cohesion, artistic input, and technical ability.  Morgan’s panel consisted of photographs of interiors of old unoccupied Irish houses, and gave an intriguing insight into a time now gone, and how people lived.  The superb composition, and use of colour, varying from subtle to vivid, achieved in difficult lighting conditions, all helped to convince the judges that Morgan was worthy of the IPF’s highest award.Morgan has been a member of Mallow Camera Club for a number of years now, and has won many photo competitions at club, regional, and national level.  He has represented the club on many occasions, and has also achieved international success, having being awarded Associateships from the Royal Photographic Society, and from FIAP (International Federation of Photographic Art).  Morgan is also a regular contributor to photographic competitions and exhibitions internationally.

[View with PicLens]

Images reproduced with consent of Morgan O’Neill and Mallow Camera Club

The monthly Mallow Clean Up Day continues on Saturday April 24^th 2010. Mallow Tidy Towns invites anyone who can spare an hour or two to come out and join us at 10am on Saturday morning at one of our 5 starting points:

• Roundabout Tavern for Cork Road/Killarney Road/Limerick Road
• Dogs Heads for Muddy Hill and Spa Road
• Garda Station for car park, and adjoining areas
• Bus Stop for the park and Park Road
• Aldi for old Cork Road to Carrokeal and adjoining areas

photo credit: Dru Bloomfield – At Home in Scottsdale

Our inaugural Saturday morning clean up in March was a great success and hopefully this Saturday we will have as many people out, with a great improvement being made by the people of Mallow. (IBAL) Irish Business Against Litter judging takes places very soon so we are hoping that the town will have improved to bring good publicity to the cross roads of Munster.

These Saturday clean ups will be held on the last Saturday of every month, starting at 10am.

A big word of thanks to all who so generously supported our flag day on Thursday April 15^th, and thanks also to the many collectors who helped out on the day.

Mallow Tidy Towns

“Hi Everyone ,

At last Spring has sprung !

We would love to see you all at the next meeting of Mallow Open Coffee . This Tuesday the 6th of April 2010 in Springforthall, Mallow .

At this meet-up we hope to welcome along members from the newly formed Tralee Open Coffee whom would like to meet us all after hearing such great reports through linkedin and on our blog .

Looking forward to seeing you all !

This is the blog again if any of you would like directions or more information . http://opencoffeemallow.wordpress.com/ “

Mallow food and craft fair

Sunday, April 4th saw large crowds descending on Mallow’s main street for the food and crafts fair. The street was pedestrianized from the O’Brien Street junction to the Clock House, allowing a diverse group of traders from Mallow and further afield to show their wares.

Mallow food and craft fair

A huge variety of gastronomic delights were on offer, from local cheeses and pastries, to Indian spices, and my own favourite – the devastating rebel chili sauce.

Mallow food and craft fair

Some interesting crafts were on display, including a range of healing and decorative crystals from local business Crystal Earth.

Mallow food and craft fair

At the bottom of the street, a steady stream of top notch entertainers wowed children and parents alike.