Children plan high jinks for lifeboats

LITTLE children with big hearts will build the tallest toy tower in Ireland in the shadow of the country’s tallest building to raise money for the lifeboats.

The doors of the 17-storey Elysian Tower in Cork will be thrown open to the public on Bank Holiday Monday as part of a novel fundraiser for the Courtmacsherry lifeboat.

Tower developer Michael O’Flynn wants the children of Cork to stack 11,000 plastic bricks to create a model of the tower in the garden of the €150 million landmark building in the city centre.

The architects who designed the Elysian will be on site on the day to help. The event begins at 11am and runs until 6pm.

Sixth class students from St Columba’s Boys National School in Douglas were thrilled yesterday when they were invited into the development after writing to Mr O’Flynn.

They each sent him a handwritten letter and dozens of drawings of the Elysian, shown in the context of other landmark buildings around the world, asking him for a tour of the building as part of a school project.

“We have several budding architects and property developers coming up the ranks,” said Mr O’Flynn.

The highlight of their visit was a trip to the viewing gallery on the top floor, which is not normally open to the public, from where they could see for miles.

Meanwhile, visitors to the complex next Monday will also have the rare opportunity of enjoying the spectacular gallery views. Visitors can take a trip to the top of the building at any stage during Monday’s event.

A range of entertainment has been organised, including a performance by the Cork Academy of Dramatic Arts, the Cork Male Voice Choir and the Roaring 40s Jazz Band.

Face-painting and a charity draw for a flat-screen television are also planned.

Admission to the garden and foyer of The Elysian is free. Access to the viewing gallery will cost €6 for adults, €3 for children and €15 for families.