Turners Cross Community Center

The history of Turners Cross Community Association dates back to 1987 when a small group of people came together to look at the possibility of forming a Community Association.

The Community comprised of representatives elected to represent all the areas of Turners Cross stretching from Greenhills on South Douglas Rd. to Summerhill South and from Connolly Rd. to Douglas Rd. and all areas in between.

Many sub-groups were set up and all worked very successfully in identifying and working to meet the needs of the time.  The groups included:

1. Environment Sub-group who worked very hard and successfully on the issue of the  City Dump and the Incinerator in St. Finbarr’s Hospital.
2. Youth Group worked with both Junior and Senior Youth Group.
3. Home Work Support Group provided by Cork Youth Federation.
4. Women’s Group who organised Community and Adult Education Courses including First Aid, Personal Development and courses held in conjunction with VEC and Christ the King Secondary School.
5. The first Cork City Domestic Violence Support Helpline was supported and operated from the community centre and from there went on to establish their own project.
6. Cultural and Artistic needs were meet through the Gramophone Group and Community Arts Group.
7. The setting up of the Neighbourhood Watch Groups was facilitated by the Community Association in association with the Community Guard of the day.
8. A Community Pre-School and Parent and Toddler Group was set up and over a period of 10 years over 250 Pre-School children and their families had their first experience of community early years provision.
9. The Association participated in many City wide community events including the Over 60’s and the Community Rose and were always represented the best talents of Turners Cross.

All of these activities had their roots and foundations in the two small houses which housed the community centre at No. 2 & 3 Curragh Rd. These houses were held under a Temporary Convenience Letting Agreement with Cork Corporation since the early 1990’s.

Though small, simple and basic their potential was a Community Resource was fully developed and utilised. Proposals and discussions took place with Cork Corporation with a view to acquiring the former Woodford Bourne corner building and carrying our a major refurbishment project as the properties were falling into disrepair.

In 2003, this proposal was replaced by Cork City Council’s plan to level the entire corner and build a housing complex, community centre and incorporate the widening of the South Douglas Rd./Curragh Rd.

Public meetings took place when the proposed plans were displayed locally and much lively discussion took place over an extended period. Talks took place with various housing organisations until the present arrangement was agreed.

It is important to acknowledge the interest and courtesy of Ernest Burns and Sean Boyle, Project Architect of Cork City Council who designed the Community Centre. It is not an easy task to please everyone but they certainly listened to the views of the groups and presented a design which integrated gracefully into the community landscape.

Since 1987 many dedicated, committed residents of Turners Cross got involved in the Community Association, working hard and making their individual mark through their involvement.  Some sadly are no longer with us. We remember sadly and fondly -

Phyl Barry, Friars Rd.

Dermot O’Leary, Capwell Rd.

Margaret O’Mahony, O’Connell Ave.

Chrissie O’Sullivan, Fr. Mathew Rd.

Tim Murphy, South Douglas Rd.

Charlie Hamill, Green Lawn

During the intervening years a core group of residents remained committed to maintaining the effort to keep the community group alive for the day when Turners Cross would once again have a Community Centre to work from.

In achieving this acknowledgement and thanks to Cork City Council staff especially Stephen Scully, elected representatives and officials of the relevant council departments for promoting and supporting the development of the community centre and looking forward to working in partnership with them in the future.

Acknowledgement also of neighbouring communities who have always welcomed residents of Turners Cross to their services and facilities and looking forward to working collaboratively with them in the future.

Some of the first every Cork Corporation Local Authority Housing Developments took place in the 1930’s in the Turners Cross area. The community of Turners Cross has a rich and proud tradition and history which continues to manifest itself in the community development work of the Community Association.

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