November event in Mallow with Eanna Ni Lamhna

Looking for an enjoyable afternoon out with good company and an interesting conversation starter?

This month, Cultural Companions members are invited to attend a special event at Mallow Library featuring one of Ireland's best-known nature experts and broadcasters.

Treading Lightly on the Earth with Éanna Ní Lamhna

📅 17 November
🕒 3.00pm
📍 Mallow Library

Join renowned environmentalist, educator and broadcaster Éanna Ní Lamhna for an uplifting and thought-provoking talk exploring how small changes in our everyday lives can have a positive impact on the world around us.

Rather than focusing on problems, this event offers practical, hopeful ideas for living more sustainably, protecting local biodiversity and appreciating the natural environment on our doorstep. Whether you're interested in gardening, wildlife, community action or simply curious about how to make a difference, there's something here for everyone.

A Cultural Companions Meetup

We invite members to attend together and make a social occasion of it.

We'll be looking for a Meet & Greeter volunteer to welcome members, introduce people to one another and help ensure everyone feels comfortable and included.

Members may also wish to arrive a little early for a tea or coffee nearby before the talk, giving everyone a chance to chat and get to know each other before the event begins.

Afterwards, there will be an opportunity to continue the conversation, share thoughts on the talk and enjoy some social time together.

Interested?

Whether you're a regular Cultural Companions member or attending for the first time, you'd be very welcome to join us.

If you'd like to attend, or if you'd be interested in acting as a Meet & Greeter, please contact:

📧 culture@muintircork.com
📞 021 450 0688 | 085 867 0744

Come along for an afternoon of fascinating discussion, new ideas and good company. 🌿☕📚

Events at Mallow Library This November

Mallow Library has a range of free talks, social events and activities taking place throughout November. Many may be of interest to Cultural Companions members looking to connect with others, learn something new or get involved locally.

Upcoming Events

6 November | 11am - 1pm
HSE Adult Safeguarding Information Event
Learn more about creating safer, more supportive communities for all.

7 November | 11am
Handweavers Guild of Cork
Discover the art of weaving, spinning and dyeing with this welcoming community of craft enthusiasts.

13 November | 11am
Home Energy & Upgrades Talk
Learn about grants, home energy upgrades and practical ways to improve energy efficiency.

13 November | 2pm
Adult Bingo
An afternoon of fun, laughter and prizes.

17 November | 10:30am - 12:30pm
Cork Volunteer Centre Pop-Up Clinic
Find out about volunteering opportunities in your local community.

17 November | 3pm
Treading Lightly on the Earth with Éanna Ní Lamhna
An inspiring talk on simple ways we can all make a difference for the environment.

19 November | 11am
Age Friendly Coffee Morning
Join others for a coffee and discover the social side of Mallow Library.

20 November | 11am
Prevent Slips, Trips & Falls
Neuromuscular Therapist Norma Mulcahy shares practical advice on maintaining balance and staying active.

21 November | 3pm
Book Launch: Mary and Padraic Colum: Lives and the Dream
An afternoon of stories, music and conversation with author Margaret Kelleher and guests.

Regular Activities

Mallow Library also hosts a variety of ongoing groups including:

• Irish Conversation Groups
• Mallow Scribes Creative Writing Group
• Adult Knitting Group
• Library Quilters
• Active Retirement Card Players
• Adult Book Club
• Adult Board Games

For more information, contact Mallow Library on 022 21821.

Men's Health Day and Match Memories Winter Programme

 

Men's Health Day and Match Memories

As part of International Men's Day, a Men's Health Day will take place on 19 November from 11am to 2pm in the Wellness Room at Glen Resource Centre.

Organised by Cork City Council, Healthy Ireland and community partners, the event will bring together men's sheds, community groups and local organisations from across the northside of Cork. The day will include health checks, information stands, guest speakers and opportunities to learn about activities and supports available in the community. It promises to be an informal and welcoming event where men can meet others, learn something new and discover ways to stay connected and active.

ALL WELCOME

The event also provides an opportunity to introduce a new idea that Cultural Companions is currently exploring: Match Memories Events.

More than a Match: Great Memories. Good Company would bring people together to enjoy screenings of memorable sporting occasions while sharing stories, memories and conversation. The aim is to use the shared experience of sport to encourage social connection, reduce isolation and create welcoming social opportunities during the winter months.

We're currently exploring whether there is interest in developing a series of Match Memories events and would love to hear from Cultural Companions members.

Would you be interested in attending?

• What sports would you like to see featured?
• Are there particular matches or sporting moments you remember?
• Would you enjoy meeting others for sport, conversation and refreshments?

If Match Memories sounds like something you'd enjoy, please get in touch with the Cultural Companions team.

📧 culture@muintircork.com
📞 021 450 0688 | 085 867 0744

We look forward to hearing your sporting memories and ideas. Together, we can create new connections through shared experiences. 🏆⚽🏐🏉🍵

National String Quartet Foundation Upcoming events

 

Dear Subscribers, PIROSMANI QUARTET TENDERNESS AND TURMOIL TOUR THIS WEEK From Tuesday, acclaimed Cork violinist Mairéad Hickey brings together colleagues from Brazil, Ukraine and the USA for a third tour by the Pirosmani Quartet, presenting music by Schumann, Schubert and Jane O'Leary in Rosscarbery, Listowel, Cork, Sligo, Navan and Dublin Pirosmani Quartet Mairéad Hickey & William Hagen, violins Natanael Ferreira, viola Oleksey Shadrin, cello You can read about the quartet members here: https://nsqf.ie/pirosmani2026 You can watch their incredible 2024 performance of Dvorak's G major quartet at MTU Cork School of Music on youtube - click here Click on your venue for bookings: ROSSCARBERY - Tuesday 3rd November at 8pm - St. Fachtna’s Cathedral - presented by Barrahane Music LISTOWEL - Wednesday 4th November at 8pm - St. John’s Theatre and Arts Centre CORK - Thursday 5th November at 7.30pm - MTU Cork School of Music - presented by Cork Orchestral Society SLIGO - Friday 6th November at 7.30pm - The Model - presented by Con Brio NAVAN - Saturday 7th November at 8pm - Solstice Arts Centre DUBLIN - Sunday 8th November at 3pm - National Concert Hall The concert programme is available for download here. ABOUT THE MUSIC Schumann - String Quartet in F major Op.41 No.2 [1842] Jane O’Leary - ebb and flow of endless motion [2026] † Schubert - String Quartet in G major D.887 [2026] † First performances They open with the second of the three vividly expressive string quartets that Schumann wrote in a frenzy of creativity in the early summer of 1842. The previous September, his wife Clara - apart from Liszt, the most famous pianist of their time - had given birth to their first child, and perhaps that is the inspiration behind the disarming lullaby themes of the first two movements and the mischievous scampering of the scherzo and finale. Galway-based composer Jane O’Leary has written a new quartet for the Pirosmani Quartet to present on this tour. She writes: This quartet movement is inspired by the gentle, undulating motion of the sea and reflects the recurring surges of movement, the sparkling of the sun on the surface, the mysterious depths of the ocean, the foam rising with the waves and falling again against the shore, the endless motion of the sea.  The title is a fragment from the poetry of American writer Walt Whitman and can be taken to represent the nature of life itself, as well as music - never standing still. Schubert’s vast G major quartet D.887 is a work of symphonic scale and emotional extremity. Like much of Schubert’s music in the last years of his short life it revolves around conflict between grief and joy, darkness and light, restless angst and sublime lyricism, often expressed through abrupt switching from major to minor or by the juxtaposition of music of near brutality with moments of great tenderness. This wonderful work is one of the greats, highly recommended! COMING UP November 13-15 -  Vanbrugh & Friends play Brahms and Dvořák in Cork, Wexford and Bantry November 19-24 - Gealán Quartet plays in Carrick-on-Shannon, Birr, Cork, Dublin and Castleconnell See NSQF.ie for details WHATSAPP COMMUNITY Update... there's a steady stream of signups to our community so we expect to start using it in the coming weeks. If you are a member of a Whatsapp group focussed on chamber music, and if you have the agreement of its members, it is also an option to propose that group for addition to our community. Click here for signup page NSQF exists to bring great music to you wherever you are in Ireland and to that end we would like to be able to reach out to you all in the most convenient and effective way to let you know about upcoming concerts This email list works quite well, but we are all swamped by emails and they can sometimes disappear into other folders and not get read at all. So we would like to see if our new Whatsapp Community might help, alongside the emails. Its not a chat forum, it only exists to bring you announcements of upcoming NSQF concerts, and possibly other closely related chamber music news. Your details will not be visible to other members of the community, unless you already know them. Please consider trying it out by clicking the link here, it is easy to leave if it doesn’t suit you. We won't start using it unless there are substantial numbers signed up. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thanks and sincere appreciation to our funders, sponsors and co-presenters, the Arts Council, RTÉ Lyric FM, the National Concert Hall, University College, Cork, MTU Cork School of Music, Cork City Council, Cork County Council, many private donors, and all the venues and promoters we work with around the country.  with best wishes, Chris

November at the Glucksman

 

November at the Glucksman   This month brings our annual Craft + Design Fair which takes place from 6 - 8 November. It is a magical moment in the gallery calendar and a wonderful occasion to browse original designs by Ireland’s leading makers under one roof. Over 50 participants will showcase their imaginative work in textiles, jewellery, print, ceramics, stationary, furniture, glass and woodturning across the three floors of the gallery. November also sees the official start of our three year Creative Ireland project Cultureways in three city neighbourhoods: Mahon, Ballincollig and Mayfield. Read more about this groundbreaking creative climate action initiative below.  Please note our opening hours for November below as we are closed for the first half of the month as we get the Craft Fair and our next exhibitions ready.  There is plenty to discover on our website while our spaces are in changeover, and our Little Interview this month is with our own Curatorial Assistant Mazie Smallidge. We hope to welcome you to the gallery soon. The GLUCKSMAN team November Opening Hours Our opening hours look a little different this month as we move into install period ahead of our upcoming exhibitions and our Craft + Design Fair. We will be open for the following days: November 6th - 8th for Craft + Design Fair. Gallery 1 and the Glucksman shop will be open from November 16th, 11am - 5pm Tuesday to Sundays.  Our new exhibitions will be available to view from 28 November, 11am - 5pm Tuesday to Sundays. Glucksman Craft + Design Fair 2026 The Glucksman Craft + Design Fair showcases high quality Irish craft and design in the beautiful setting of the gallery’s award-winning exhibition spaces. The annual extravaganza of Irish makers returns to the gallery from Friday 6 November to Sunday 8 November. Over the weekend, the gallery will be brimming with beautiful gifts and a seasonal opportunity to meet designers and craft artists, and buy and give Irish this Christmas. Entry to the Craft + Design Fair is €8 or €5 with an official Craft + Design Fair flyer. This charge helps fund the Glucksman’s access programmes for marginalised communities. We greatly value your support for this event and would appreciate it if you would let your friends and colleagues know about the event. Tickets can be bought at the door or ahead of time here. "This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the quality and beauty of handmade Irish Craft in an exceptional location." - Rosemary Steen, former CEO of Design & Crafts Council Ireland    “Most of the products on show are made by hand and produced in small enough quantities that they also offer something more exclusive, without stressing your budget.” - Irish Examiner        "The champagne of Craft Fairs." - Sonya Lennon, Designer   Cultureways Cultureways is a project using creativity and behavioural science to explore our everyday travel choices and encourage more sustainable ways of making journeys under 2km. Transport accounts for approximately 30% of Cork City's greenhouse gas emissions, with many short journeys representing a significant opportunity for change. Building on the growing public appetite for active and sustainable travel, Cultureways aims to help transform intention into action, supporting healthier lifestyles, improved air quality and reduced emissions. The Gluckman is working In partnership with Cork City Council, Cork Midsummer and UCC's Sustainability Institute on a creative consultation with local residents in Mahon, Ballincollig and Mayfield. Throughout November, we will be inviting communities to take part in workshops with artists to imagine ways to encourage more walking, cycling and other sustainable travel choices.  As part of Cork's commitment to becoming a climate-neutral city by 2030, Cultureways will demonstrate the important role that creativity, culture and community participation can play in addressing climate challenges and creating positive, long-term environmental change. The Creative Ireland Climate Action Fund is supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, the Department of the Taoiseach, and EirGrid. Find out more at www.corkcity.ie/cultureways or by contacting Cultureways@corkcity.ie Follow along on Instagram @culturewayscork Visitor Voices on Drawing for Wellbeing  As this season's Drawing for Wellbeing classes led by Inma Pavon wrap up, we wanted to share some of the lovely feedback from the participants of the workshops this season!   “I really enjoyed it and looked forward to the classes. The meditation at the start of the session focusing on a work of art in the gallery set a calm relaxed atmosphere.  I am very new to drawing but didn't feel out of place. We all worked with both our dominant and non-dominant hand at times, which was very freeing, there was no judgement and some laughter. It was very relaxing sitting in a warm  sunny spot in the gallery, with natural light listening to classical music and being creative.  I became more observant when on my daily walk with the family dog, I live in the countryside so there is a lot to notice with the changing seasons. I purchased a small sketch book and have begun to draw a little.” Anne “These 5 classes that I’ve attended have been absolutely amazing. Inma relaxes me at the beginning of each week with a mediation – magic. The first week I was very emotional towards the end of class and when I left. It brought out what’s seemingly buried. Pure mindfulness. No judging. Beautiful setting. Thank you so much.” Helen. “This was a very enjoyable session. Very interesting class structure of observing art in the gallery (which was an ideal location for the class). Fabulous light and location great, imaginative teacher. I’d definitely do one of Inma’s classes again – or more. Excellent – a wonderful experience.” Maureen “I enjoyed the structure of the session. The art viewing first. Lovely location to be upstairs. It was relaxing and social. I would love to do it again. Inma is fun, enthusiastic, professional, and encouraging. Please run it again.” Marie Little Interview This month's Little Interview is with Mazie Smallidge, the Curatorial Assistant here at the Glucksman Gallery.

The Glucksman is generously supported by our audiences, University College Cork, the Arts Council of Ireland and private philanthropy through Cork University Foundation. Opening Hours  Tuesday - Sunday 11am - 5pm. Closed Mondays Admission Free. €5 Suggested donation.  Plan your visit We look forward to welcoming you

Toormore Rehearsed Staged Reading Dance Firkin Crane

Toormore Brendan Griffin and Patrick Talbot Fri 27 November, 8pm Patrick Talbot Productions and Featherbowl Theatre Company present TOORMORE: A rehearsed staged reading of a new play inspired by true events, written by Brendan Griffin and Patrick Talbot, followed by a post-show discussion with the co-authors.

A rehearsed staged reading of a new play inspired by true events

Patrick Talbot Productions and Featherbowl Theatre Company present TOORMORE: A rehearsed staged reading of a new play inspired by true events, written by Brendan Griffin and Patrick Talbot, followed by a post-show discussion with the co-authors.

A French documentary film-maker travels to her holiday cottage in West Cork in the days before Christmas 1996. It is a journey she has made many times before. She has come, once again, to immerse herself in the world of Toormore and to be rejuvenated by its unique magic and energy. But this December trip is colder, bleaker, and more profound.

Toormore is a portrait of French documentary filmmaker and writer Sophie Toscan du Plantier, during her final visit to West Cork. Marking the 30th Anniversary of the death of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier, Toormore presents a formidable woman and artist for whom the ruggedness and beauty of West Cork were a vital antidote to the urban intensity of her life in Paris. It imagines her last visit from her perspective.

She would not return home.

Casting to be announced

Brendan Griffin's previous plays include The Silver Case, Broby Laundry Basket, Curvy Figures and A Thousand Moments of Extraordinary Pleasure.

Patrick Talbot's writing credits include A Great Arrangement, God Bless the Child (adapted from the stories of Frank O'Connor), Two Lord Mayors (co-written with James McKeon), and Intimacies and Elephants (adapted from the stories of Raymond Carver).

Chit Chat Café The Hub Fermoy 11th November

Fermoy Friendship Week event being hosted by The Hub Fermoy, 3 Brian Boru Square, Fermoy. 

Wednesday, 11th November Chit Chat Café - Call for a Cup of Kindness: The door will be open, and the kettle will be on from 11.00am to 1.00pm at The Hub Fermoy.  Everyone is welcome to attend the very first Chit Chat Café hosted by The Hub. The theme for this inaugural café is Friendship and Kindness to Self, encouraging people to take some time out, connect with others and reflect on the importance of self-care and wellbeing.

You are invited to drop in for a cuppa, enjoy a friendly chat, make new connections and create a Friendship Week Kindness Bag filled with positive messages and reminders of the importance of self-kindness. The Hub hopes this first café will be the beginning of a regular series of themed monthly gatherings, providing a welcoming space for people to connect, share experiences and build friendships within the community.