The Cork Skateboarding Association (CSA) is aiming to bring organised skateboarding competitions to Mallow Skate Park, with plans underway to host events that would attract skaters from across Cork and beyond.
Speaking to Mallow & District Live, David Rooney, social media manager with CSA, said the group’s core ethos is to “promote inclusive skateboarding culture to everyone in Cork.” With Mallow Skate Park having previously been visited by skateboarding icon Tony Hawk, Rooney said the town is well placed to become a focal point for competitive and community skateboarding.
International Go Skateboarding Day, celebrated globally on 21 June, has been identified as a potential date for an event at the Mallow facility. An event was previously held at the park last year by Noel Darcy of Sssick Skateboards, and CSA hopes to build on that momentum. Proposed activities include under-16 and over-16 competitions, a best trick contest, a “hippie jump” game, introductory lessons, and regular monthly meet-ups catering to all skill levels.
CSA is currently liaising with Cork County Council on how best to host public skateboarding events across the county, with a focus on safety, accessibility, and creating a welcoming environment for families. Skateboarding became an Olympic sport in recent years, a development Rooney says has helped highlight its global legitimacy and growing popularity.
Ireland already has international success in the sport, with Donegal skater Jamie Griffin winning the Battle of the Berrics competition in the United States last year. According to CSA, continued progress will depend on council support, community backing, and the long-term goal of developing an indoor public skate park to allow athletes to train year-round.
Mallow Skate Park itself has been described as a strong addition to Cork’s skateboarding infrastructure, offering a mix of pool and bowl features alongside traditional street elements such as rails, ledges, and an A-frame.
CSA events will provide spare skateboards for newcomers, and the group is encouraging people of all ages to attend, watch, or take part. As Rooney put it, the simple act of rolling on a board remains at the heart of skateboarding, something visitors to Mallow Skate Park can experience for themselves.
