13/04/2026
Palmbury Orchard residents awoke Friday morning to the horror of a devastating fire that took the life of one of their neighbours and left 5 families without homes. It was a miracle that more lives weren’t lost as the fire swept through their attics. One Dad was seen fleeing the house in his underwear and a toddler under each arm to escape the smoke and fire. These homeowners living here from 30 to 45yrs were told by emergency services when the fires were out that because they weren’t city council housing they would have to source their own accommodation and board up the houses themselves. Some of these residents have secured rented accommodation from 3 to 12 months while their houses will be rebuilt but we are desperately seeking accommodation for a family of 6 to be able to rent to stay together for 3months and a family of 3 for 12months.
We all know the insurance will fall short and just replace bricks and mortar, these families have lost everything. We are running a week long campaign to raise as much as we can by Wednesday 22nd April where you can bring cash, cheque or shopping vouchers to the Life long learning festival in O Connell court, Togher 10am to 4pm. By tomorrow morning there will be collection boxes in businesses and shops all over Togher until Wednesday 22nd April, if we can’t get to you we can forward the details for you to set up your own. Run a coffee morning, no uniform day etc these residents have given to the community all their lives, local school caretaker, tidy towns volunteer, soccer coach, residents committees, parents associations, carer. It’s time to pay it forward. Please share everywhere and give people the opportunity to help these wonderful Cork families. Follow here, Thank you