Monday, 1 September 2025

Introducing the UpDown Circus Festival Sept 1st to 7th

🎪 Introducing the UpDown Circus Festival – A New Celebration for Cork!

This September, Cork City will spring to life with colour, creativity, and incredible talent as we welcome the very first UpDown Circus Festival (Sept 1–7, 2025).

Over the course of a week, international artists and local performers will transform our streets, venues, and public spaces with shows, workshops, and free outdoor performances.

✨ Festival Highlights include:

Runners – a spectacular juggling show at Dance Cork Firkin Crane.
Douglas Street Autumn Fest – family-friendly fun in the heart of the city.
INSIDE/OUT Panel Discussion at The Everyman – a free event exploring the world of circus and street arts.

With many free and family-friendly events alongside ticketed performances, the festival is designed to be welcoming, inclusive, and accessible. Whether you’re a lifelong circus fan or just curious to try something new, there’s truly something for everyone.

📖 You can explore the full programme in the Programme and we’d love if you could help us spread the word by sharing it with your members, friends, and networks.

We look forward to welcoming you at the UpDown Circus Festival 2025 – let’s celebrate circus and street arts together!

Tuesday, 26 August 2025

Film Screening of "Making II" at Kinsale Library on Friday 5th September at 7pm

'Out of the annual Making In seminar, other projects have emerged. The most notable of these is MAKING, a three-part series of documentary films capturing the conversations, collaborations and ethos of the Making In Cultural Programme.

Directed by Pat Collins, MAKING II is the second in a series of three documentary films offering a portrait of making through intimate conversations with Making In /24 seminar participants.

The film also follows the creation of Magnus RINN, the monumental sculpture by Joseph Walsh commissioned for the Ireland Pavilion at Expo Osaka.

Tickets available on Eventbrite
MAKING II Screening Tickets, Fri 5 Sep 2025 at 19:00 | Eventbrite

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/making-ii-screening-tickets-1589620520769

Celebrating Culture & Community: Durga Puja Comes to Ballincollig

Next month, Cork’s vibrant Indian community will host one of its most significant annual celebrations, Durga Puja, at Ballincollig GAA Club on September 27th and 28th.

Organised by Cork Sarbojanin Durgotsab (CSD), the festival promises an unforgettable blend of tradition, food, music, and dance and everyone in Cork is warmly invited.

What is Durga Puja?

Durga Puja is a much-loved Indian festival rooted in Hindu tradition, celebrating the triumph of good over evil. Across the globe, Bengali communities come together to mark the occasion with storytelling, dance, prayer, and — of course — wonderful food.

Last year, more than 500 people joined the festivities in Cork, and this year organisers expect between 1,000 and 1,500 visitors, making it the largest celebration to date.
A Festival for Everyone

A Festival for Everyone

What makes this year’s event especially meaningful is its focus on community connection. Alongside Indian cultural performances, local Irish dancers will also take to the stage, creating a festival that celebrates both heritage and friendship. Even the CSD logo reflects this unity, weaving together Indian and Irish symbols, including elements from Cork’s coat of arms.

Food lovers are in for a treat too with some of Cork’s favourite Indian food vendors serving authentic dishes throughout the weekend. From street food to classic curries, it’s set to be a real feast for the senses.

A Message of Solidarity

This celebration comes at a time when Ireland’s Indian community has faced challenges, with reports of racially-motivated incidents elsewhere in the country. Yet here in Cork, organisers say they feel safe, welcome, and supported.

As one organiser explained:

“Indians who have been living in Ireland for a long time have always thought of it as a safe home… We’re deeply saddened by recent incidents, but we know the Irish people stand in solidarity with us. I feel like Cork is a much safer place to live.”

This spirit of resilience and unity lies at the heart of the Durga Puja celebrations. It’s an opportunity not only to showcase Indian culture but also to strengthen the bonds between communities here in Cork.

Everyone’s Invited

The festival will welcome special guests including the Lord Mayor of Cork, Garda representatives, and members of the Indian Embassy and YOU to share in the colour, music, dance, and food of this joyous occasion.

📅 When: September 27–28, 2025
📍 Where: Ballincollig GAA Club
🎉 Who: Open to all — families, friends, and communities across Cork

✨ At Cork Cultural Companions, we feel cultural events like this enrich our city and give us the chance to connect across traditions. Why not join in this September, discover something new, and celebrate Cork’s cultural diversity?

Singing for the Brain comes to Macroom

Singing for the Brain Comes to Macroom – Join Us for Songs, Stories & Smiles!

A great initiative is starting in Macroom next month. Singing for the Brain is a heart warming initiative that brings people together through music, memory, and meaningful connection.

Join us on Wednesday, 10th September, from 11am to 1pm at The Castle Hotel, Main Street, Macroom, for the very first session of this interactive singing group. Whether you’re a seasoned singer or just enjoy humming along, everyone is welcome – no singing experience necessary!

While Singing for the Brain is particularly beneficial for those living with dementia, this free initiative is open to everyone in the community. It enables people of all ages and abilities to enjoy meaningful social activities together. By joining in, you’re helping to build a more connected, compassionate community – one song at a time.

Come sing with us – and let music bring us together. Booking required due to limited capacity - call Lucy O’ Driscoll on 087 6114282 to book in for these sessions.

East Cork Early Music Festival 2025 Save the dates!

SAVE THE DATES!

The East Cork Early Music Festival is back this October, & we have an amazing line up for you! Get ready to immerse yourself in history & harmony.

Join us:

16-19 October

Cork city & Doneraile Court

Highlights include:

All Softly Playing; the early beloved music of James Joyce: featuring Malcolm Proud, (harpsichord), Susan Proud (narrator), Stuart Kinsella (tenor)

The Marvellous Mademoiselle Maupin: Emma Power (mezzo-soprano) & the Cork Baroque Orchestra

National Harp Day - A Discovery Day with the Historical Harp Society of Ireland

The Earls of Ormond

Baroque to Bharatanatyam: A fusion of Baroque and Indian classical dance!

bit.ly/45QKBZE

Culture Night Cork County Friday 19th September

Culture Night

Culture Night will take place on Friday 19 September 2025. For all Cork County Culture Night events please visit CultureNight.ie

Events will take place in Fermoy, Mitchelstown, Mallow, Charleville, Clonakilty, Skibbereen, Bantry, Bandon, Kinsale, Carrigaline, Passage West, Macroom, Baile Bhuirne, Midleton, Youghal, Cobh and Watergrasshill, as well as other locations across the county.

Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir is brought to you by the Arts Council and deliverd by Cork County Council in County Cork; it is a national moment, celebrating culture, creativity and the arts and seeks to actively promote the belief that this rich and varied culture is alive, treasured and nurtured in people’s lives, today and every day. It is delivered nationwide in cities, towns, villages and rural locations as well as online and through our media partners.

https://culturenightcorkcounty.ie/