Cork County Older Peoples Council AGM 4th November

 

Cultural Companions Creative Season SAMHAIN Workshops 2025

As part of our Creative Seasons 2025 series of seasonal workshops for Cultural Companions, we invite you to join us in celebrating Samhain, the Celtic quarter festival marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of the darker half of the year. Traditionally a time of reflection, remembrance, and storytelling, Samhain invites us to pause, honour memory, and welcome new beginnings.

This third and final series of Cultural Companions Creative Seasons workshops for 2025, offers opportunities to gather, create, and reflect together through working with clay, writing, and shared story. Whether you’re drawn to creativity, heritage, or simply the warmth of company, there’s something here for you.

Highlights of our Samhain Programme:

🌀 Ceramic Journeys: The Labyrinth & Samhain

Wednesday 12 November, 2pm in Blackpool Community Centre

Come and create with clay in a reflective, hands-on workshop that explores the themes of Samhain: memory, journey, and renewal, through the tactile process of making with facilitator artist Susan.

🔥 Cuardíocht: Ancestral Storytelling Ceremony

Friday 14 November, 2pm at Civic Trust House, Cork City

Join Paddy Doyle for an afternoon of story, song, and remembrance inspired by ancestral tradition and the turning of the year.

🖋️ Life Writing Workshop: Reflections of Samhain

Tuesday 18 November, 1.30–3.30pm in Cork City Library

Explore memory, change, and reflection through life writing in this gentle workshop inviting participants to capture their own stories of life’s seasons and transition.

All workshops are free, but spaces are limited so early booking is advised.

Supported by Cork City Council Creative Communities funding.

📧 Email: culture@muintircork.com 📞 Call: 021-4500688

SEE FULL PROGRAMME HERE

Midleton Cultural Companions Christmas: “Down Memory Lane” Concert

 

A Midleton Cultural Companions Christmas Celebration: Free “Down Memory Lane” Concert
Monday 17 November, 2pm GAA Clubhouse, Midleton
Free Event Booking Essential Email: culture@muintircork.com | Tel: 021 450 0688

Cultural Companions in East Cork invites everyone to a free festive concert celebrating the Christmas season and community connection on Monday, 17 November at 2pm in the GAA Clubhouse, Midleton.

The highlight of the afternoon will be a special “Down Memory Lane” performance, combining live music, storytelling, humour, and audience singalong. The show features acclaimed performers:

• Linda Kenny – singer, actress, and producer of Down Memory Lane, guiding audiences through a journey of shared music and memories.

• Conor O’Shea (The Loungeman) – renowned for smooth vocals and timeless classics.

• Pakie O’Callaghan – Cork’s beloved comedian and raconteur, delighting audiences with wit and warmth.

• Maurice Healy – accomplished pianist providing the perfect musical backdrop to the afternoon.

Admission is free, all are welcome, and booking is essential. A raffle will be held to help defray event expenses, and refreshments will be provided.

Mallow Cultural Companions Christmas Celebration: Step ‘Down Memory Lane’ 24th November

Monday 24 November, 2pm in The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow

Free Event — Booking Essential
Email: culture@muintircork.com | Tel: 021 450 0688

Mallow Cultural Companions, an Age & Opportunity Arts programme from Muintir na Tíre, warmly invites everyone to a festive afternoon celebrating 3 wonderful years of cultural companionship in Mallow. Join us on Monday, 24 November at 2pm in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow for an afternoon of music, memories, and Christmas cheer.

This year’s celebration features a special “Down Memory Lane” performance, bringing the much-loved Music Café experience to Mallow. The immersive show combines music, storytelling, humour, and audience singalong, offering a heart-warming way to relive songs and memories from days gone by.

Down Memory Lane features a talented line-up of entertainers:

Conor O’Shea (aka The Loungeman) – renowned for his smooth vocals and timeless renditions of Nat King Cole, Sinatra, and other crooning legends.

Pakie O’Callaghan – Cork’s beloved comedian, impersonator, and raconteur, whose wit and warmth never fail to delight.

Maurice Healy – accomplished pianist and entertainer providing the perfect musical backdrop to a nostalgic afternoon.

Linda Kenny – singer, actress, and producer of Down Memory Lane, guiding audiences through a shared journey of stories and song.

A raffle will be held to help defray event expenses, and refreshments will be provided to make the afternoon even more enjoyable.

Booking ESSENTIAL

Down Memory Lane for Fermoy Friendship Week in Kilworth Village Arts Centre

 

Step “Down Memory Lane”: an Afternoon of Music, Memories & Fun for Fermoy Friendship Week

Monday 10 November, 2pm  The Village Arts Centre, Kilworth
Free Event.  Booking Required
Email: culture@muintircork.com | Tel: 021 450 0688

Cork Cultural Companions, an Age and Opportunity Arts programme from Muintir na Tíre, is delighted to invite everyone to a very special afternoon of memories, music, and laughter as part of Fermoy Friendship Week.

On Monday, 10 November at 2pm, audiences at The Village Arts Centre, Kilworth will be treated to “Down Memory Lane”, an immersive reminiscence experience that has captured hearts across Cork and beyond.

Produced and performed by the multi-talented Linda Kenny, Down Memory Lane blends live music, storytelling, good humour and audience singalong into an uplifting celebration of shared memories from days gone by. The show has been specially designed to appeal to older audiences and has been presented with great success in public libraries, community health settings, residential care homes and theatres across the county.

Joining Linda for this special edition are an outstanding line-up of Cork’s favourite entertainers:

• Conor O’Shea (aka The Loungeman) – velvet-voiced crooner performing timeless classics from Nat King Cole, Sinatra and the legends of swing.
  
  

• Pakie O’Callaghan – comedian, impersonator and master storyteller whose wit and charm lights up every stage.
  
  

• Maurice Healy – gifted pianist and musical entertainer who sets the perfect tone for an afternoon of nostalgia and joy.
  
  

This event is presented by Cork Cultural Companions, a programme that connects older people interested in arts and culture, encouraging them to attend events together and make new friends along the way. Delivered in Cork by Muintir na Tíre, with support from Cork County Council, and the HSE, the initiative aims to promote inclusion, wellbeing, and community connection through shared cultural experiences.

As part of Fermoy Friendship Week, Down Memory Lane celebrates exactly what the week stands for - friendship, connection, and community spirit.

“This show is about connection, laughter, and that spark of joy that comes from remembering good times together,” said producer and performer Linda Kenny.

Event Details

Date: Monday 10 November, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Venue: The Village Arts Centre, Kilworth
Admission: Free — but booking is essential
Booking: Email culture@muintircork.com or call 021 450 0688

Places are limited — early booking is advised. Book your place HERE

A Cultural Companions Christmas: Step “Down Memory Lane” in Mayfield!

 

Wednesday 26 November, 2pm in
Mayfield Library, Cork
Free Event! Booking Required HERE
Email: culture@muintircork.com | Tel: 021 450 0688

Cork Cultural Companions, is delighted to invite everyone to a festive afternoon of nostalgia, laughter, and live music with “Down Memory Lane” on Wednesday, 26 November at 2pm in Mayfield Library, Cork.

This heart-warming event brings the much-loved Down Memory Lane Music Café experience to Mayfield for a special Christmas edition, an immersive reminiscence performance that combines music, storytelling, humour, and audience singalong. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season in good company, reliving songs and memories from days gone by.

Produced and performed by acclaimed Cork singer Linda Kenny, the show features a talented line-up of entertainers who bring sparkle, soul and smiles to every performance:

• Conor O’Shea (aka The Loungeman) – renowned for his smooth vocals and timeless renditions of Nat King Cole, Sinatra, and other crooning legends.
  
  

• Pakie O’Callaghan – Cork’s beloved comedian, impersonator and raconteur whose wit and warmth never fail to delight.
  
  

• Maurice Healy – accomplished pianist and entertainer providing the perfect musical backdrop to a nostalgic afternoon.
  
  

• Linda Kenny – singer, actress and producer of Down Memory Lane, who guides audiences through a shared journey of stories and song.
  
  

The Down Memory Lane Music Café series has proven hugely popular with audiences across Cork and beyond. Presented by Cork Cultural Companions, this Christmas Celebration embodies the spirit of community and connection that defines the programme. Cork Cultural Companions, delivered by Muintir na Tíre and supported by Cork City & County Councils, and the HSE, works to bring people together through shared cultural experiences, encouraging friendship, inclusion, and participation in the arts.

Event Details

Event: Down Memory Lane – A Christmas Celebration
Date: Wednesday 26 November, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM
Venue: Mayfield Library, Cork
Admission: Free — but booking is essential BOOK HERE
More info: Email culture@muintircork.com or call 021 450 0688

All are welcome — join us for a festive afternoon of music, memories and good company.

Ethnodrama Explores Realities of Ageing, At Your Age?!, in Bantry

 A Unique Ethnodrama Exploring Realities of Ageing, At Your Age?!, in Bantry

Cork Cultural Companions invites you to a special live read-through of At Your Age?!, a unique play that brings real lived experiences of ageing to the stage.

Date: Saturday, 22nd November
Time: 2:00 PM
Venue: Bantry Library
Free admission | Refreshments provided

Co-written by Cork Cultural Companions members with Dr. Elaine Desmond of UCC, At Your Age?! Is a script that draws directly from the lives of six women, capturing humour, resilience, and the challenges of ageing. 

Directed by Karen Minihan of PlayActing Theatre and performed by the excellent Schull Drama Group, this rehearsed reading offers a rare opportunity to experience theatre that is authentic, thought-provoking, and full of heart.

This project is generously supported by Cork County Council Arts Office and Age Friendly Office.

Join us for an afternoon of storytelling, laughter, and insight into the realities and joys of growing older. Refreshments provided.
Email culture@muintircork.com for more information

Book HERE