Passage West Together

22/10/2025

A follow-up to our recent post 💛

Here’s a short highlight from Mark’s speech at St. Peter’s Community School — sharing the story that inspired Passage West Together and why kindness and connection matter so much.

🎥 Watch the full 6-minute speech here ➡️ https://youtu.be/hxQvcl-3KkY?si=yPB6fh5OQ3ohsJoL

Huge thanks again to St. Peter's Community School and Siobhán Murphy for such a wonderful evening filled with nostalgia and laughter. 💙💛

19/10/2025

A full circle moment ✨

Our founding member, Mark, returned to St. Peter's Community School to speak at the St. Peter’s Past Pupils 1988-2023 — sharing the story that inspired Passage West Together.

A night filled with nostalgia, laughter, and gratitude. 💛 Huge thanks to St. Peter’s and Siobhán Murphy for such a warm welcome! 💙💛

09/10/2025

💛 Team Passage West - Shining a Light for Those Without a Home 💛

This Saturday night, one of our incredible community members, Mary Foley, with the Girl Guides and Scouts will be sleeping out here in Passage West as part of the ‘Focus Ireland Shine a Light Sleep Out’ — to stand in solidarity with the 5,000+ children who are homeless in Ireland, including 228 right here in Cork. 💔

Many of these children are living in temporary accommodation — cold, damp, and unsafe. They may have a roof over their heads, but they still have no home. No child should ever have to live like that.

Join Mary & Team Passage for a chat, bring a sleeping bag, or donate if you can. Every show of support helps shine a little light in the darkness. 🌙✨

🔗 Donation link: https://joinus.focusireland.ie/fundraisers/TeamPassageWest1156

Homelessness is one of the most pressing societal issues of our time. Every one of us has a right to a place we can call home. Yet, in Ireland today, more and more people are becoming homeless. That's why we're sleeping out against homelessness to raise funds for ’s , prou...

10/08/2025

💛 Fundraising for Marymount Hospice 💛

This weekend, Passage West Together joined forces with the ‘Halloween Display for Marymount University Hospital & Hospice’ team for two wonderful days of fundraising at Dunnes Stores, Carrigaline.

We enjoyed it immensely — the people of Carrigaline and visitors from surrounding towns were so warm, friendly, and full of lovely stories about their own connections to Marymount Hospice.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who stopped for a chat, shared a smile, or donated. Every single bit of kindness matters, and it was truly uplifting to feel such community spirit. ❤️

All money raised goes directly to Marymount Hospice — meaning every cent makes a real difference to patients and families who need their incredible care.

🙏 A special mention to the ‘Halloween Display for Marymount University Hospital & Hospice’ team, who have also been out fundraising recently at SuperValu, Grange and Aldi, Douglas — and to the amazing people there for their generosity and support.

📅 The team will be out again next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Centra, Rochestown — so if you’re passing, be sure to say hello!

31/07/2025

⭐ People of Passage West: Remembering Fr. Con Cronin

Episode 3 of our new spotlight series.

🕊️ “Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.” – Natalie Sleeth

This Sunday marks the anniversary of the tragic loss of a man who truly embodied the spirit, heart, and humour of the Harbour Parishes—Fr. Con Cronin.

Fr. Con was more than a priest. He was a neighbour, a friend, a confidant, a compassionate listener, a man of action—and above all, a powerful reminder of what it means to show up for others with kindness and courage.

We are honoured to feature Fr. Con as part of our new People of Passage West spotlight series. Though he left us far too soon, his impact continues to guide us in ways big and small. As his dear friend Dáithí Kelly shared with us:

💬 "I often wondered what made Fr. Con such a good priest—and every time I come to the same conclusion: his love for God and Mary, his love for the Church, and his natural ability with people."

Fr. Con’s story in Passage West began in 2012 after a chance moment on BBC News where he was interviewed at the Titanic 100th anniversary in Belfast. It was the first time Dáithí saw him speak—and something about him stood out. Their friendship began shortly after Fr. Con arrived in Cork, and the two quickly forged a bond marked by honesty, laughter, and shared purpose.

💬 "He didn’t know the parish well, so I offered to show him around. We ended up going for coffee in Mahon Point. I remember thinking, have we a loose cannon here? So I brought him down to earth by dropping into Mick Daly. Con went in alone. They became great friends."

From there, Fr. Con made it his mission to know every corner of the Harbour Parishes—visiting homes, hospitals, Marymount Hospice, and every place his people needed him.

One story lingers in Dáithí’s memory:

💬 "A very distressed lady asked us to visit a young man in Marymount. Con knelt on a footstool, gently rubbed the man’s head, and whispered: ‘Don’t worry, everything is ok… You are forgiven. Go to the light. Your work here is done.’"

It was moments like this—his grace, his presence, his unwavering compassion—that made Fr. Con not just loved, but unforgettable.

He was not without his struggles. Rejection affected him deeply. But his faith, his humour, and the warmth of the community kept him grounded. As Dáithí recalls,
💬 "I used to tell him, 'Don’t stay where you're not wanted.' He took things to heart, but always came back to love."

One of Fr. Con’s favourite hymns was 🎶 “In the Bulb There Is a Flower.” It’s a song about hope in darkness, life in death, and mystery in the seasons we don’t understand. It’s no wonder it resonated so deeply.

On the Friday before he died, Dáithí joined him for a rare pint in “Dubs”.

💬 "He was with his cousin. We had a few, and I encouraged them to get to bed—he had a wedding to conduct the next day."

That Tuesday morning, August 3rd, 2021, Fr. Con said Mass at 10am. He called Dáithí shortly after.

💬 “He fretted when I told him I was heading to Douglas—said, ‘I’ll see you later.’”

Later that day, the devastating news came. The town stood still.

COVID restrictions meant the church could only hold 50 people—but that didn’t stop the outpouring of grief and love. Rosaries were said on the hour. The people came. The town wept.

And still, today, we remember.

❤️ Fr. Con Cronin, we miss your voice, your spirit, and your wild heart. You were a man of God and a man of the people—and Passage West will never forget you.

🕊️ “In our end is our beginning, in our time, infinity… Something God alone can see.”

08/07/2025

✨ People of Passage West – Meet Assumpta Lydon ✨

Episode 2 of our new spotlight series.

From patchwork to fairy festivals, and memory teddies to a thriving creative hub—Assumpta Lydon is the heart and soul behind Passage West Creates.

What began as a night class in 1994 turned into a lifelong passion. Fast forward 30 years, Assumpta has become a beloved local figure—treasurer of the Irish Patchwork Society, maker of memory quilts and keepsake teddies, and the steady hand behind our town’s creative spirit.

In 2018, what started as a pop-up craft shop quickly became something much bigger. With community at its core, Passage West Creates opened its doors thanks to teamwork, local support, and Assumpta’s vision of a warm, welcoming space where people can create, chat, and feel at home. Even the local dogs know there’s a treat (and a smile) waiting inside 🐾

One of her proudest moments? Launching the Passage West Fairy Festival, which started with 9 children skipping through the streets and has since become a magical community tradition—complete with fairy doors, storytelling, and face painting. ✨

Assumpta also pours her heart into memory keepsakes, lovingly crafted from the clothes of loved ones. Her own story—creating teddies from her late husband’s shirts—has touched many, and she continues to offer comfort to others, one stitch at a time.

“We were honoured to have won the Cork County Council Mayors Community award in 2022, but it was the local people of Passage and Monkstown who supported us from that first Christmas in 2018 to this day.”

Assumpta, you’ve turned creativity into connection—and you’ve helped shape a town we’re all proud to call home. Thank you for everything you do 💙

📍 You can visit Passage West Creates at 3 Main St, Passage West, T12 V29T.

23/06/2025

📣 Follow-up for any groups interested in mental health awareness talks

We’ve heard there may be interest from local groups or clubs in learning more about Shine's free mental health awareness sessions—which is fantastic to hear! 💬

If your group, committee, workplace, or club would like more information about hosting a talk, we’d love to chat. You can:
📨 Email us at passagewesttogether@gmail.com
📝 Or leave a note (even anonymously) in the form: https://forms.gle/v961dFqaum8uKu9BA

We’re happy to provide general info about how it works, what topics can be covered, and how it can be tailored to your group.

Let’s keep the conversation going and create more spaces where people feel supported. 💙

22/06/2025

Smiles, rain or shine! 🌦️ Our amazing Litter Picker Crew has been out every Saturday keeping Passage West clean and connected. Here's a look at the heart, hustle, and happy faces behind the scenes. All are welcome—join us anytime! 💪

19/06/2025

🌅 Carrying the Light Forward After the Walk of Hope 💙

“Mental health awareness doesn’t end with one morning—it’s something we nurture together all year.”

The recent Walk of Hope was a beautiful and powerful display of solidarity, remembrance, and hope. A heartfelt thank you to the amazing organisers and to every single person who walked, donated, volunteered, or showed support in any way. 💛

Passage West Together was proud to support this year’s Walk of Hope and to stand alongside our community in raising awareness around mental health. But the journey doesn't stop here—we want to help keep the conversation going in a meaningful and inclusive way.

We’re now exploring working with Shine, a national organisation supporting people impacted by mental ill health. Shine offers free mental health awareness and anti-stigma talks, which can be tailored for:
🟢 The general public
🟢 Local committees or community groups
🟢 Clubs or workplaces

Before moving forward, we’d love to know what you think:
👉 Would you attend a public mental health talk in Passage West?
👉 Would your group benefit from a private session?
👉 Are there particular topics you’d like to see covered?

📊 Let us know by voting anonymously. Please find link in the comments below.

Your feedback is completely anonymous, and it will help us understand whether there's enough interest to organise an event that truly meets the needs of our community.

Let’s continue building a Passage West where no one feels alone and everyone feels supported. 💙