All welcome to A Night At The Musicals on Nov 20th and 21st in the Hibernian Hotel with Mallow Musical Society. Tickets available from the Hibernian reception and we would love to see you all there! (Tickets €17.50 with a discount for groups of 8 or more).
SpaceFest warmly invites you to the opening of Cosmic Cartography on Saturday 7 November at 6pm at Marina Market, Cork.
The centrepiece of our 2026 Science Week festival, Cosmic Cartography brings together artists exploring how we map, interpret and imagine the universe. The exhibition features Cork’s own art and geology collective, The Fold, alongside other artists responding to our invitation to explore mapping and outer space.
Join us for light refreshments and an informal conversation with some of the artists, who will share insights into their ideas, processes and approaches to the work. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the artists and their work, connect with others across the arts and science communities, and mark the opening of a festival bringing 20 events to 12 venues across Cork.
If you’re planning to join us, please RSVP to hello@greywoodarts.org. We’d love to see you there!
SpaceFest is presented by Greywood Arts and made possible with funding from the stars at Taighde Γireann – Research Ireland.
Warmest regards,
Jessica Bonenfant
Artistic Director
SpaceFest & Greywood Arts
COSMIC CARTOGRAPHY
How do we map a universe too vast to fully comprehend? How have people across cultures made sense of the stars, and how do we find our place in the cosmos? From marking time, tracking the seasons and crossing the seas, the night sky has been a source of scientific observation and artistic inspiration. Cosmic Cartography invites you to look up, look closer and get curious about our universe.
The Fold: Cosmic Cartographies
An artist-led, cross-disciplinary research group founded by Jess Franklin, The Fold brings artists and geologists together to explore the natural world through creative practice, dialogue and shared enquiry. For Cosmic Cartographies, artists explored ideas of mapping, movement, time, distance and our changing relationship with the cosmos through collage, drawing, painting, photography, textiles and sound. Informed by diverse forms of research, from scientific knowledge, geological observation and field research to historical, cultural and imaginative sources, each artist developed their work independently, then came together throughout the process to share ideas, discuss works in progress and offer feedback, allowing artistic and geological perspectives to inform one another.
Impact – Kerry Guinan
Created through our Cosmic Debris residency at the National Space Centre in 2024, this levitating sculpture represents a meteoroid that has been impacted by a shard of artificial space debris in the high speeds of Earth’s orbit. The work asks us to reflect upon the profound impact that humanity has on nature, on and beyond the Earth.
Space Studio Inc.
Artists from Crawford Supported Studios present artworks inspired by stargazing, created through workshops with artist Ed Kuczaj, bringing their individual perspectives and creative practices to the exploration of the cosmos.
We Are Terraformers — St. Fergal’s NS, Inch NS, Midleton Educate Together NS and Scoil Mhuire Naofa
Working with artist Chris Finnegan, 170 young people from East Cork schools explored how scientists map the universe before creating their own planetary sectors. Their individual works come together in a large-scale collaborative installation.
Reach for the Stars
Discover the winning images from the annual astrophotography competition organised by the School of Cosmic Physics at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS). Selected from more than 140 entries submitted by photographers across Ireland, these remarkable images reveal the beauty and wonder of the night sky.
Asterisms
Explore how cultures around the world have mapped the stars and poke holes in the universe with your own constellation contribution to this interactive artwork. A giant octagonal sky installation will offer a view of thousands of years of animal constellations from six different cultures, ranging from the Sami people of Northern Europe to Hawaiian navigators. Visitors will be invited to poke these constellations (or their own!) into the illuminated exhibit.
Space Cadets Reading Corner
Cozy up to the stars in our space-focused reading area featuring a selection of stellar books curated by Cork City Libraries. Titles include books for early readers, teen and YA readers, and adults, with both fiction and non-fiction selections.
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Have you ever wondered what it might be like to step onto a stage, bring a character to life, or simply try something completely different?
First Take: Acting 55+ is a friendly four-week daytime acting course designed specifically for adults aged 55 and over. Whether you've never acted before, dabbled years ago, or are simply looking for a new creative challenge, this welcoming course offers the perfect opportunity to give it a go.
Led in a supportive environment with small group numbers, participants will explore acting through practical exercises, improvisation, character development and scene work. The course starts gently, helping everyone build confidence before progressing towards working on scenes with fellow participants. No previous experience is required.
π
Tuesdays, 17 November - 8 December
π 11.00am - 1.00pm
π Go On So Studio, Donnybrook Commercial Centre, Cork
πΆ €90 for the four-week course [tickettailor.com]
The organisers describe it as real acting training for beginners, covering skills such as listening and responding, working with a script, making creative choices and understanding character motivation.
For Cultural Companions members, this could be a wonderful opportunity to meet new people, try something creative, build confidence and perhaps discover a hidden talent along the way.
If there is sufficient interest from members, we could explore arranging a meet-up before the first session so participants can get to know each other in advance.
To find out more or book a place, visit the course booking page. [tickettailor.com]
The annual Craft + Design Fair at the Glucksman is back this weekend, offering a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a relaxed afternoon out while discovering some of Ireland’s finest makers and designers.
The fair showcases over 50 selected craft artists and designers from across the country, with work ranging from jewellery, ceramics and textiles to printmaking, glass, furniture and woodturning. The event is known for its focus on high-quality Irish craft and sustainably made products, all displayed throughout the Glucksman's award-winning gallery spaces.
A handy tip for anyone planning to attend: if you pick up one of the promotional flyers currently available around Cork city centre, admission is reduced from €8 to €5. The admission fee helps support the Glucksman's access programmes for marginalised communities.
A few Cultural Companions members are considering a visit on Saturday afternoon, and we'd love to hear if others might like to join them.
If there is enough interest, we could arrange an informal meet-up at the Glucksman, giving members the chance to enjoy the fair together, stop for a tea or coffee, and share the experience in good company. As always, we'd need a volunteer meet-and-greeter to help welcome people and facilitate the group.
If you'd be interested in attending, please let us know. If there's sufficient interest, we'll confirm a meeting time and details later this week.
The Craft + Design Fair is one of Cork's most enjoyable pre-Christmas cultural events, combining creativity, conversation and the opportunity to support talented Irish makers. It could make for a lovely social afternoon with fellow Cultural Companions. ✨
Cultural Companions members are invited to meet up for the Midleton Christmas Market and Christmas Lights Switch-On on Sunday 15 November. The event will feature local traders, food stalls, live entertainment and festive activities throughout the afternoon and evening.
If there is sufficient interest, we'll arrange a meetup in a cafΓ© in Midleton at 4.30pm. Members will have an opportunity to enjoy a tea or coffee, browse the market stalls together and soak up the festive atmosphere before the official Christmas Lights Switch-On at 6.30pm.
To make this Cultural Companions outing possible, we will also need a volunteer Meet & Greeter to welcome members, make introductions and help everyone feel comfortable and included.
If you would like to attend, or if you would be willing to volunteer as a Meet & Greeter, please get in touch.
π§ culture@muintircork.com
π 021 450 0688 | 085 867 0744
If enough members express interest and a Meet & Greeter can be found, we'll confirm the arrangements closer to the date. π ☕π
Music lovers in West Cork are in for a treat this November as Vanbrugh & Friends present an afternoon of Romantic classics in the beautiful setting of St Brendan's Church, Bantry.
π
Sunday 15 November
π 3.00pm
π St Brendan's Church, Bantry
The concert will feature two much-loved works from the Romantic repertoire:
Performed by members of the Vanbrugh Quartet alongside guest musicians Marja Gaynor and SΓ©amus Hickey, this promises to be a memorable afternoon of beautiful chamber music.
This is a wonderful opportunity for Cultural Companions members in the Bantry area to enjoy a live performance and connect with others who share an interest in music and the arts.
West Cork Music provide a 20% discount to Cultural Companions members.
If there is interest in attending as a group we can arrange a meet up ahead of the concert in local cafΓ©, so if you are interested in coming along let us know and we will keep you posted on plans.
15 November: Christmas Parade
20 November – 22 December: Christmas Markets at Bishop Lucey Park*
27 November – 31 December: Ferris Wheel at Grand Parade*
28 November – 20 December: Family Festive Hub at Counting House Plaza* 9 – 19 December: The Promise of Christmas at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral
