Join Us for a Community Learning Afternoon in Mitchelstown

Cultural Companions North Cork members are warmly invited to a special Community Learning Afternoon at Mitchelstown Library on Wednesday 15th October, 2.30–5.00pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain practical tips, access local support, and connect with your community.

The afternoon is part of the Libraries For Literacy Project, funded by Solas and run in partnership with Ballyhoura Development, Cork and Limerick Education and Training Boards, local libraries, MABS, Fighting Words, and more. Libraries are at the heart of this initiative, empowering communities and supporting literacy across the region.

Highlights include:

• Financial literacy tips from AIB, the Community Garda, and MABS

• Understanding your electricity bill with Ballyhoura Development

• Digital literacy courses overview from the ETB

• Community services insights from SVP, Alone, and Cultural Companions

Cultural Companions will present during the afternoon,. There will also be time for questions, refreshments, and networking from 4.20pm.

Come along, meet fellow Companions, and discover the wealth of local support and learning opportunities in your community.

Where: Mitchelstown Library
When: Wednesday 15th October, 2.30–5.00pm 
Admission: Free

Artist Talk with Fiona Hayes’ Archiving Hope Exhibition at County Hall

Join Fiona Hayes for an Artist Talk at Archiving Hope

Cultural Companions are invited to a special event at Cork County Hall: an artist talk by West Cork artist Fiona Hayes, part of her solo exhibition Archiving Hope. This takes place on 24th October at 1pm in the Foyer on the Ground Floor.

Fiona’s work explores the self-healing power of nature through the re-wilding of an abandoned 40-acre post-industrial gravel pit in West Cork. Once a barren, man-made landscape, it has become a thriving accidental nature reserve, filled with wild plants, insects, small mammals, and birds.

During the artist talk, Fiona will share insights into her creative process, her deep-mapping investigation of this extraordinary landscape, and the stories behind her paintings, printed images, and projections that document this magical transformation. This is a wonderful chance to engage directly with the artist, ask questions, and explore the themes of resilience, creativity, and the natural world.

Event Details:

• Event: Artist Talk by Fiona Hayes

• Date & Time: 24th October, 1pm

• Location: Foyer, Cork County Hall, Ground Floor

• Accessibility: County Hall is open Monday to Friday, 9am–4pm. Parking and access details available on arrival.

• Exhibition: Archiving Hope runs 9th–25th October, open to the public.

Mayor of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan-Foley, highlighted the importance of Fiona’s work:

“Much of our natural heritage is found in expected places like bogs, wetlands, and grasslands, but Fiona’s work encourages us to look deeply into post-industrial sites and see the resilience of nature emerge. It is wonderful to see this transformation documented through art.”

This artist talk is a perfect occasion to explore art and nature, spark conversation, and share insights with fellow participants. Don’t miss this engaging and inspiring event!

Let us know if you are coming - drop a text to 0858670744 or email culture@muintircork.com

Cultural Companions Special Cork Folklore Workshop 7th October

 

Exploring Stories, Building Connections: Join Us for a Special Folklore Workshop

We are delighted to invite all Cultural Companions members with an interest in folklore, local history, and storytelling to a special workshop event on Tuesday, 7 October at 2:00 pm (city-centre venue, details on registration).

As part of our ongoing collaboration with the Cork Folklore Project, we’ll be joined by Tomas MacConmara, who will guide us in exploring the next steps of this exciting partnership.

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About the Workshop

This session will:

• Provide an overview of opportunities for collaboration between the Cork Folklore Project and Cultural Companions.

• Build on earlier workshops and training sessions that some of our members attended as part of the Cork Listeners Collective, a community-led initiative focused on gathering and connecting stories.

• Focus on Cultural Companions-specific opportunities, ensuring the project reflects the voices, interests, and creative spirit of our members.

There is no obligation to share personal stories at this event. Instead, it’s about exploring how we, as a group, can help advance the project and create meaningful ways to preserve and celebrate local voices.

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Why this matters

• A growing collaboration: The Cork Folklore Project has built a rich archive of over 700 interviews, capturing everyday lives, traditions, and community changes across Cork. Their work is rooted in listening, reciprocity, and community involvement.

• Momentum from Heritage Week: Our recent Heritage Week event drew a fantastic turnout, listening to recordings and sharing some of our own memories, showed how many great stories were in the room that afternoon alone. That energy showed us the potential for Cultural Companions to play a role in shaping this work.

• Your chance to shape the future: This workshop is about finding the best ways for our members to connect, contribute, and help develop a shared vision for the collaboration.

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Event Details

• Date & Time: Tuesday, 7 October, 2:00 pm

• Venue: City-centre (full details provided after registration)

• Who should attend: Any Cultural Companion interested in local history, folklore, oral traditions, or simply exploring new creative opportunities.

• Registration: Required – please RSVP by Wednesday 6th October 3pm.

Looking Ahead

This is just the beginning. With your input, we hope to shape a project that highlights the richness of Cultural Companions’ experiences, strengthens our partnership with the Cork Folklore Project, and ensures that voices from our community are heard, celebrated, and remembered.

🎭 Way Down Underground – A Night of Theatre, Music & History in Culturlann Newmarket

 

On Saturday, October 18th at 8:30 PM, An Chultúrlann in Newmarket (P51 D854) will host Way Down Underground, a powerful performance inspired by the coal mining heritage of Duhallow.

This immersive show blends live music, original songs, and evocative storytelling to bring to life the experiences of miners and their families in the early 1900s. With a full band providing a heartbeat to the music, the performance includes classics like Working Man and Schooldays Over, alongside original compositions that pay tribute to the resilience and spirit of the mining community.

The event offers a unique opportunity to connect with the rich cultural history of Duhallow and celebrate the lives of those who laboured underground. It's a night of reflection, music, and community—a must-see for anyone interested in local heritage and the power of storytelling through performance.

Details:

• Date: Saturday, October 18th

• Time: Doors open at 7:30 PM; performance starts at 8:30 PM

• Location: An Chultúrlann, Newmarket, Co. Cork (P51 D854)

• Tickets: €15 (plus online booking fee)

• Booking: Reserve via Facebook Event or text 086 196 0157

Whether you're a long-time resident or new to the area, this performance is a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy of Duhallow's coal mining past. Don't miss this chance to experience a night of heartfelt music and compelling storytelling.

Paint and Sip with Glorious Arts & Crafts at SIRIUS

 Paint and Sip with Glorious Arts & Crafts at SIRIUS

SIRIUS, in collaboration with Gloria O’Doherty from Glorious Arts & Crafts, presents a special event for adults that explores observational painting inspired by the landscapes and architecture surrounding the SIRIUS building. Participants enjoy complimentary refreshments while engaging in creativity and reflection. Under Gloria’s guidance, attendees learn and apply various painting techniques to capture their impressions of the surroundings, including Cork Harbour and the built environment of Cobh.

Gloria is an artist who has taught the people of Cobh and beyond for over 15 years. She supports participants of all abilities and backgrounds in expressing themselves through artistic ideas and means.

Saturday, 1 November 6-9pm

Tickets: €35 per person (non-refundable)

Limited capacity; booking via Eventbrite is required: https://buff.ly/V4b291l

This is a non-alcoholic activity; all refreshments are provided. Materials are also provided. Wearing old clothing is recommended.

Accessibility Note

Our building has accessibility limitations. There are three steps to the front door and a temporary wheelchair ramp is available upon request. Our toilets are accessed via stairs. Public toilets are beside the Titanic Experience, by The Promenade.

Image description: A poster with the words ‘Paint and Sip’ in colourful text.

A Night of Irish Music at Cultúrlann, Newmarket

 

A Night of Irish Music at Cultúrlann, Newmarket

North Cork Cultural Companions members may be interested in a lively night of Irish folk, ballads, jigs, and reels at Cultúrlann, Newmarket, Co. Cork, on Friday, 24th October at 8 PM.

The evening features Mason’s Apron, fronted by Philip McAuliffe (guitar & songs) and his daughter Samantha McAuliffe (fiddle, whistles, bodhrán, guitar & songs). Known for their energy, heart, and respect for Irish tradition, the duo promise a performance full of spirit and warmth. Philip is also the author of The McAuliffe Story.

Special guests Eoin O’Driscoll and friends will also add to the musical magic.

Tickets: €15 + online booking fee https://ticketstop.ie/events/1043?fbclid
Time: 8 PM
Date: Friday, 24th October

This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy live Irish music in a welcoming atmosphere, celebrate local talent, and connect with fellow music lovers.

Save the Date: Live Read-Through Performance – At Your Age?!

Save the Date: Live Read-Through Performance – At Your Age?!

We are delighted to announce a special live read-through of the play At Your Age?!, presented by Schull Drama Group in collaboration with Playacting Theatre. This exciting event is part of a Cultural Companions gathering, and everyone is welcome!

📅 Date: Saturday, 22nd November (TBC)
🕒 Time: 2:30 PM
📍 Location: Bantry Library
☕ Refreshments provided
💸 Free admission

At Your Age?! is a full-length, three-act play exploring ageing and ageism. The script, written by Dr. Elaine Desmond as part of the AgeACTED (Ageism Challenged Through Ethnodrama) project, was developed in collaboration with Eleanor Bantry White and Cork Cultural Companions.

This performance is the culmination of a series of workshops led by Karen Minihan of PlayActing Theatre with Schull Drama Group and Cultural Companions members, refining the script and bringing it to life. The play has had only one previous outing, at the Granary Theatre in 2022, where one act was performed by the original contributors and Cultural Companions members. This makes the upcoming performance a much-anticipated event.

Supported by Cork County Council Age-Friendly and Arts Office, the play is humorous and moving in equal measure, offering themes and stories that will resonate with many. The main characters are vibrant, witty, and non-conforming, navigating the challenges of ageing, societal expectations, and the resilience required to stay positive.

After the performance, there will be refreshments and a chance to chat, making this a wonderful opportunity to come together, celebrate creativity, and engage with the themes of the play.

Join us for an afternoon of theatre, conversation, and community a free, engaging, and thought-provoking cultural treat not to be missed!