For many, travelling to and from Ballincollig is simply part of their daily routine. Yet for visitors arriving from Cork City, surrounding towns or further afield, those first few moments can shape a lasting impression of the community.
Long before visitors reach Main Street, they begin forming opinions based on what they see along the approach roads, streets and gateways that lead into the town. Cleanliness, landscaping, planting, signage and the overall appearance of these areas all contribute to how a place is perceived. It is for this reason that Approach Roads, Streets and Lanes forms an important category within the SuperValu TidyTowns competition [1][2].
One location in particular demonstrates the importance of making a positive first impression: the Poulavone Roundabout.
More than a road into town
Situated on one of the principal eastern approaches to Ballincollig, the Poulavone Roundabout serves as a gateway for thousands of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians each week. The roundabout occupies a highly visible location and provides one of the first indications that visitors have arrived in Ballincollig [1].
While roundabouts are often viewed purely as traffic management infrastructure, they can also play an important role in defining the character of a place. A well-maintained and thoughtfully landscaped roundabout can provide colour, visual interest and a sense of arrival. It can communicate civic pride and demonstrate a community's commitment to enhancing its environment.
Transforming a gateway
The roundabout's story took a significant turn in 2018 when existing planting, including roses and trees, suffered damage from storms and disease. What could have been viewed as a setback instead became an opportunity to rethink how this important gateway might be used [3][4][5].
Working together, Griffins Garden Centre, Ballincollig Tidy Towns and the local authority developed a new planting scheme that transformed the roundabout into what was described as Ireland's first pollinator-friendly roundabout. The redesign introduced pollinator-friendly planting, environmentally friendly maintenance practices and a fresh visual identity for one of Ballincollig's most prominent public spaces [3][4][5].
The project quickly attracted attention. Visitors noticed the colourful displays, while bees and other pollinators quickly found a new source of food and habitat. What began as a landscaping project soon became an example of how environmental improvements and visual enhancement can work together [5][6].
The success of the project continues to be recognised today. In the 2026 SuperValu TidyTowns Adjudication Report, the roundabout received particular praise for the way it balances visual appeal, safety and environmental considerations [9]:
"The Poulavone Roundabout has indeed blossomed and the design allows for safety, visibility and the environment – a win, win in anyone's books" [9].
An evolving landscape
One of the most impressive aspects of the Poulavone Roundabout story is that the work did not end with the initial redesign.
Over subsequent years, volunteers have continued to invest time and effort in maintaining and improving the site. Additional planting has been introduced, signage installed and biodiversity features enhanced. In 2023, an additional 450 pollinator-friendly herbaceous plants were added to the flower beds, while volunteers spread approximately ten tonnes of bark mulch across the planting areas to help suppress weeds and retain moisture [8].
More recently, restored bee boxes were returned to the roundabout as part of continuing enhancement work. These ongoing improvements demonstrate that maintaining an important gateway requires commitment throughout the year rather than a once-off investment [7][8].
The work undertaken at Poulavone Roundabout continues to be recognised beyond Ballincollig. In the 2026 National Tidy Towns adjudication report, the roundabout was praised for balancing safety, visibility and environmental considerations, while the continued support of O'Donovan Agri Environmental was specifically acknowledged. The adjudicator described the focal point of the roundabout as "very pleasing indeed", highlighting the success of the partnership approach that has helped shape this important gateway to the town [9].
Why first impressions matter
The Poulavone Roundabout is just one example of the work that takes place across Ballincollig's approach roads, streets and lanes. Throughout the town, planting schemes, landscaped areas, planters, signage and environmental improvements contribute to the visitor experience and help create a positive image of Ballincollig [1][2].
These improvements may seem small when considered individually, but collectively they shape how residents and visitors experience the town. They help create attractive routes into Ballincollig, support local biodiversity and reinforce the sense of pride that local people take in their community.
Looking ahead
As Ballincollig continues to grow, creating positive first impressions will remain important. Approach roads and gateways are often overlooked because they form part of our everyday journeys, yet they are among the first things visitors see and often influence how the town is remembered [1][2].
The story of the Poulavone Roundabout illustrates what can be achieved when volunteers, businesses and public bodies work together towards a shared goal. Through thoughtful landscaping, environmental stewardship and ongoing maintenance, an ordinary piece of road infrastructure has become a welcoming gateway to Ballincollig.
Next time you pass through the Poulavone Roundabout, take a moment to look beyond the traffic. You are not simply entering Ballincollig. You are passing through one of the town's most important front doors.
Featured image created by the author using Canva AI and subsequently customised in Canva.
Photo Credit: Vitaliy Makhnanov, Media Producer, All About Us Video, IPPVA Member.
References
[1] Ballincollig Tidy Towns (2026). Approach Roads, Streets and Lanes. Available at: https://www.ballincolligtidytowns.ie/our-work-approach-roads-streets-and-lanes (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
[2] SuperValu TidyTowns (2026). Handbook. Available at: https://www.tidytowns.ie/resources/handbook/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
[3] Climate Change Ireland (2018). Ireland's first bee-friendly roundabout set up in Cork. Available at: https://www.climatechange.ie/irelands-first-bee-friendly-roundabout-set-up-in-cork/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
[4] Business Cork (2018). Griffins Garden Centre – Bee Friendly Poulavone Roundabout in Ballincollig. Available at: https://businesscork.ie/griffins-garden-centre-bee-friendly-poulavone-roundabout-in-ballincollig/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
[5] Irish Examiner (2018). Bee-friendly planting scheme a roundabout way to help. Available at: https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-30860923.html (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
[6] Ballincollig Tidy Towns (2021). Creating a Pollinator Corridor in Ballincollig. Available at: https://pollinators.ie/creating-a-pollinator-corridor-in-ballincollig/ (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
[7] Ballincollig Tidy Towns (2026). Newsletter 23 May, 2026. Available at: https://www.ballincolligtidytowns.ie/btt-news/newsletter-23-may-2026 (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
[8] Ballincollig Tidy Towns. Ballincollig Tidy Towns Pollinator Corridor Map. Available at: https://ballincolligtidytowns.ie/?da_image=17021 (Accessed: 27 September 2026).
[9] SuperValu TidyTowns (2026). Ballincollig Adjudication Report 2026. Available at: https://tidytowns.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/u_reports/2026/cork-south/2026-Cork-South-Ballincollig-661.pdf (Accessed: 26 October 2026).