April Newsletter Cork City

 

April Newsletter North Cork

 

April Newsletter West Cork

April Newsletter East Cork

 

Making History at the Everyman

 

How to avail of the Cultural Companions discounted tickets for Making History at the Everyman Theatre – Matinee show on Saturday April 19th at 2PM

We’re delighted that the Everyman have kindly offered Cultural Companions members a special discount for the upcoming production of Making History at the Everyman Theatre on Saturday, April 19th at 2PM.

 How to Book:

1. Click HERE to access the booking page.
2. Select your seats from the dedicated Cultural Companions allocation (marked in pink on the seating chart). 
   
3. At the checkout, enter the discount code CC20 to receive the discount off full-price tickets.
4. The discount will be applied at the payment stage.

 Important Details:
 This offer is available for new bookings only.
 The discount is valid for the Saturday, April 19th, 2PM show.
 Usual booking fees apply.
 The discounted allocation is available until Friday, April 11th – book early to secure your seat!

Cultural Companions are meeting from 1pm in the Metropole Hotel close to the theatre for a cuppa and chat beforehand

You can also call the Everyman Box Office and use the promocode to purchase ticket over phone or alternatively call in in person.

We hope you enjoy the show! 

Midleton Arts Festival 7-11th May 2025

​

The Midleton Arts Festival (MAF) is an annual celebration in Midleton, County Cork, dedicated to fostering community through diverse artistic expressions. 

The 2025 festival, themed 'Treedom,' emphasises creativity, community, and our connection to trees, featuring public art and interactive experiences that unite artists and attendees in shared spaces. ​

Festival Highlights:

• Fine Art Exhibition: "Variables IV" by Mór Artists Collective at MyPlace.​

• Featured Artist: East Cork's Yvonne Condon, showcasing vibrant tree portraits, supporting artists with health and social needs.​midletonartsfestival.com

• Midleton Art Market and Music Stage: A platform for local artists to display and sell their work, accompanied by performances from emerging musicians.​

• Shop Front Gallery: Over 40 local shop fronts transformed into galleries featuring East Cork artists, with guided tours available.​

• Cruinniú faoin Crainn: An interactive eco-art installation under Midleton’s Fair Green beech trees, encouraging community collaboration.​midletonartsfestival.com

• Wander and Wonder through the Woods: A guided nature walk blending storytelling, music, and environmental advocacy.​

MAF offers free, family-friendly events that showcase local talent and promote environmental stewardship. For the latest updates and full event details, visit the official website midletonartsfestival.com or follow MAF on social media.

Noggin Theatre Co. present Baggage MY PLACE Midleton May 8th

 

Experience 'BAGGAGE' – A Theatrical Journey of Adventure and Self-Discovery

Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025
Time: 8:00 - 9:30 PM (Doors open at 7:45 PM)
Location: My Place, Community Centre, Mill Road, Midleton
Tickets: €20 Available via Eventbrite
Refund Policy: Refunds up to 7 days before the event
Free Venue Parking

Prepare for a rip-roaring adventure as BAGGAGE, written and performed by the brilliant Nicole Rourke, takes to the stage at My Place, Midleton. Brought to life by Noggin Theatre Company, this electrifying one-woman show fuses theatre, dance, and comedy to deliver a night of laughter, passion, and self-discovery.

What to Expect

BAGGAGE is not your typical coming-of-age tale—it’s a coming-of-rage! This dynamic performance follows the journey of a woman who leaves her small Irish town behind and sets off for the intoxicating dance floors of Buenos Aires. Through witty storytelling, expressive movement, and moments of pure hilarity, Rourke masterfully unpacks the emotional and cultural baggage we all carry.

About Nicole Rourke

An accomplished performer, writer, and creative powerhouse, Nicole Rourke is known for her compelling storytelling and fearless performances. Her ability to blend humour with heartfelt moments ensures that BAGGAGE will leave audiences both entertained and deeply moved. For more about her work, visit Nicole Rourke Creative.

Why You Shouldn't Miss It

• A unique mix of theatre, dance, and comedy

• A relatable yet wildly entertaining journey of self-discovery

• A chance to experience top-tier storytelling and performance art

• Free parking and a lovely welcoming community venue

Join Cultural Companions for an unforgettable evening where adventure meets hilarity, and self-discovery takes centre stage. Secure your tickets now and get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even dance a little!

As an actor and writer, Nicole has been part of the Irish Theatre and Spoken Word arena for more than three decades. She has featured with many theatre companies including Theatreworks, Storytellers, Yew Tree and Tmu-Na; and her international appearances include those at the London and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals, Glasgow International, Craw Festival Berlin, Singapore Arts Festival, and Konfrontacje Teatraine Poland. Rourke’s one-woman play, Baggage, was a smash hit at the SoloSIRENS festival in Dublin in 2019, and went on to be adapted to film reaching a global audience. Baggage will tour internationally in 2025.

BVOF Open Air Lunchtime Recitals May 2025 Book early!

 

BVOF Open Air Lunchtime Recitals - 12pm / 1pm

This year, Blackwater Valley Opera Festival continue their pop-up programme of free lunchtime festival recitals. These free concerts provide a perfect opportunity to enjoy some highlights of the classical and operatic repertoire in a less formal way. BVOF present these recitals as an opportunity to enjoy a flavour of the festival with some beautiful music, at outdoor settings around the Blackwater Valley, with classical and opera highlights performed by artists from this year’s Blackwater Valley Opera Festival.

To celebrate the 2025 festival, we are continuing to offer our free BVOF Open Air Lunchtime Recitals across both Cork and Waterford counties – into Youghal, Castlemartyr, Lismore and Dungarvan. Attendance is free of charge however pre-booking is essential in advance. 

Book Early - don't miss out

DATES & TIMES:

LISMORE: Millennium Park – Tuesday 27 May at 12pm

Book Now

DUNGARVAN: Walton Park – Friday 30 May at 12pm

Book Now

YOUGHAL: Green Park – Saturday 31 May at 12pm

Book Now

CASTLEMARTYR: Castlemartyr Resort – Sunday 1 June at 1pm

Book Now 

The BVOF Open Air Lunchtime Recitals are kindly supported by both Cork County Council and Waterford City and County Council.

Choirs at the Sirius Arts Centre

 Experience the Magic of Choirs at the Sirius Arts Centre

Date: Friday, 2nd May 2025
Time: 1 PM
Location: Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh, County Cork
Admission: Free

Get ready for an afternoon of breath-taking choral performances at the Sirius Arts Centre, as two distinguished international choirs—Junges Consortium Berlin from Germany and Mixed Choir "Ventspils" from Latvia—bring their vocal mastery to Cobh. 

This special event, free to the public, promises an enchanting musical journey through diverse cultures and time periods.

About Sirius Arts Centre

Sirius Arts Centre is a dynamic cultural hub in Cobh, dedicated to supporting and presenting art across various disciplines. The centre is committed to fostering artistic talent through exhibitions, performances, and artist residencies, making it the perfect venue for this celebration of choral music.

Performing Choirs & Programme

Junges Consortium Berlin (Germany)

This renowned German ensemble will present a moving selection of works, including:

• Wo ist ein so herrlich Volk – Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

• Even when he is silent – Kim André Arnesen (b. 1980)

• My soul, there is a country – C. H. H. Parry (1848-1918)

• Tyger, tyger – Emil Råberg (b. 1985)

Mixed Choir "Ventspils" (Latvia)

Hailing from Latvia, Mixed Choir "Ventspils" will bring a vibrant selection of traditional and contemporary choral works, including:

• Zvirbuli, zvirbuli – Latvian folksong, arr. Andris Sējāns (b. 1978)

• Neba maize pati nāca – Latvian folksong, arr. Selga Mence (b. 1953)

• Ik rudeni valodiņa – Valts Pūce (b. 1962), Inese Zandere (b. 1958)

• Sasala jūrina – Latvian folksong, arr. Raimonds Pauls (b. 1936)

• Es izjāju Prūšu zemi – Latvian folksong, arr. Edgars Linde (b. 1971)

Why You Should Attend

This concert is a rare opportunity to witness exceptional choral talent in an intimate and acoustically rich setting. Whether you're a seasoned choral music enthusiast or new to the genre, this event offers something for everyone. The combination of powerful harmonies, evocative melodies, and cultural storytelling through music makes for an unforgettable afternoon.

Don’t miss this chance to immerse yourself in the beauty of choral music at the Sirius Arts Centre!

Cork International Choral Festival celebrate 70 years 30th April-4th May.

 Cork’s longest running festival, Cork International Choral Festival, is getting ready to celebrate 70 years this May Bank Holiday, from 30th April-4th May.

For seven decades, the festival has been a cornerstone of Ireland’s cultural calendar, bringing together world-class choirs and music lovers for an unparalleled celebration of choral excellence. Established in 1954 with a mission to nurture and develop choral music in Ireland, the festival has evolved into one of Europe’s most prestigious choral events, drawing thousands of singers and spectators to the heart of Cork each year.   This year the festival will fill more than 5000 bedrooms in hotels and accommodations across Cork City.

As Cork’s longest-running festival and its largest international cultural event, the Cork International Choral Festival has become synonymous with great events and great fun. From its earliest days, Cork City Hall has remained the festival’s beating heart, hosting world-class performances in one of the city’s most striking and acoustically superb venues. Meanwhile, the entire city—from its streets to its restaurants and bars—comes alive with spontaneous choral magic.

At the core of the festival is the prestigious Fleischmann International Trophy Competition, which has, for decades, attracted some of the world’s finest amateur choirs to compete at the highest level. Beyond competition, the festival’s reach extends across the city and county, with fringe concerts, the Church Interchange programme, and informal public performances, ensuring that choral music is truly woven into the fabric of Cork.

As it steps into its 70th year, the festival promises an extraordinary celebration, honouring its remarkable legacy while embracing fresh voices and new traditions. Whether attending a breathtaking gala performance, discovering emerging talent, or simply soaking in the festival’s unique atmosphere, there has never been a better time to experience the magic of the Cork International Choral Festival.

The programme will be announced on April 2nd.

For more information, visit www.corkchoral.ie

West Cork Literary Festival 2025

 

Hello, It is almost time to announce the line-up for this year’s West Cork Literary Festival. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes since last July to bring you the best possible festival and we can’t wait to share it with you. We are so excited about this year’s programme and we hope that you will find loads to inspire and entertain you this summer. Richard E. Grant, Eimear McBride, Graham Norton, Ruth Padel, Neil Jordan, Katherine May, Alan Hollinghurst, Carol Drinkwater, Sarah Moss, Seán Ronayne, Patricia Forde, John Creedon, Claire Kilroy, Ferdia Lennon, Vona Groarke, Rafael Olympio, Salena Godden and Wendy Erskine are just some of the high profile writers making the trip to West Cork for the Festival. We will also present works in translation from Dutch, Flemish, Swedish, French and German as well as events for children and families and a series of professional development sessions for emerging writers in partnership with Irish Writers Centre and Children’s Books Ireland amongst others. We are delighted to announce that the programme for this year's West Cork Literary Festival will be online this Thursday 3 April. To view the full programme on Thursday, please go to www.westcorkmusic.ie/LFProgramme. General Booking will open at 10am the following Thursday, 10 April via our website and our Festival office on +353 (0) 27 52788. If you don’t want to wait until next week for your tickets, why not become a Friend of West Cork Literary Festival. Our Festival Friends can avail of one week’s Priority Booking from 10am this Thursday as well as enjoying benefits like reserved seating, invitations and discounted tickets. Find out more about our Friends here We can’t wait to see you all in Bantry from 11 to 18 July. Best Wishes, Eimear and the West Cork Literary Festival team Clockwise from top left: Richard E. Grant, Eimear McBride, Graham Norton, Katherine May, Neil Jordan and Salena Godden.

Irish Fossils Talk & Exhibit Cork City Library 2pm April 8th

 

Kerry Collins Guest Artist Talk at West End Art Studios

Come along for a very enjoyable evening and watch a professional artist at work. On this Thursday 3rd April Mallow Art Club are delighted to welcome the wonderful Kerry Collins as our guest artist at West End Art Studios.

Kerry will demonstrate her techniques and complete a live portrait in charcoal.

Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30 start.

Members €5 guests €7.

All are welcome.

Cork's Lifelong Learning Festival 2025 April 2nd to 9th

 

Cork's Lifelong Learning Festival 2025

Mark your calendars!

The 2025 Cork Lifelong Learning Festival will be from April 2nd to April 9th. 

We are delighted to announce that there will be more than 420 events happening throughout Cork City during the Cork Lifelong Learning Festival from April 2nd to April 9th, 2025. The festival programme is currently in production and will be available from Cork City Hall, Cork City Libraries, and host venues from March 21st. Stay tuned for more updates!

The Cork Lifelong Learning Festival promotes and celebrates learning of all kinds, across all ages, interests and abilities. The festival’s motto is 'Investigate, Participate & Celebrate', and the public can do that by taking part in workshops or classes, watching demonstrations, trying out new skills.

All events are free & accessible to everyone. 

Learning is promoted as fun with events including performances, debates, taster sessions, tours, displays and demonstrations. These free events take place right across Cork in a variety of venues indoors and out; including libraries, museums, community centres, parks, sports grounds, private businesses and in Cork's green spaces.

2025 Flipping book: Cork Lifelong 2025

Searchable online programme will be available very soon! 

Scullion perform Mallow Arts Festival in July 2025

Mallow Arts Collective are delighted to confirm the first major act for Mallow Arts Festival 2025, which takes place from the 23rd to the 27th July.


Scullion will appear in concert on Friday July 25th, in St James Church Mallow.
Formed in the mid-1970s, Scullion are revered and feted as one of Ireland's most innovative, original and brilliant live bands.
Philip King, Sonny Condell and Robbie Overson are looking forward to meeting with their many fans.
The concert will get under way at 8pm and tickets priced €25 plus booking fee are now available on Eventbrite

Cork Summer Show 14th to 15th June - get your Early Bird tickets until 13th May

 

 EARLY BIRD TICKETS ON SALE NOW! 

Exciting news! The Cork Summer Show 2025 is just around the corner, and for a limited time only, they're offering Early Bird reduced entry prices! 

Get your tickets now and save big on Cork’s biggest summer event, happening 14th & 15th June at Curraheen Showgrounds, Cork.

From live entertainment and delicious food to thrilling attractions and family fun, this is a weekend you won’t want to miss!

Cork Cultural Companions will have an information stand so pop by to say Hi!

 Early Bird tickets available until 13th May – don’t wait, once they’re gone, they’re gone!

 Grab yours today at https://www.corksummershow.com/show-events/cork-summer-show-2025

The 50Plus Show - Lifestyle event for older people Cork September 2025

 

Events in Fermoy Library

Repair Café is back on Saturday 5^th April 11am – 1:30pm!  Are you Spring Cleaning?  Bring along any items that need repairing or clothing that needs a stitch to our Repair Café Volunteers on Saturday 5^th April, 11am – 1:30pm.
 
Interested in learning about accessing Audiobooks, & accessing Newspapers and Magazines free of charge with your library card?  Pop along to our BorrowBox Information Session on Friday 18^th April from 10am – 11:30am.  Everyone Welcome. No booking required.
 
Our exciting workshop “The Art of Happiness” is back with Workshop 2 on Friday 18^th April 2pm!  Learn how limiting beliefs & core values can be used to lead you to a happier life.  Everyone Welcome.  No booking required.
 
Would you like to learn Embroidery?  New 6-week Embroidery Course now starting.  Fridays 10am – 12noon.  Materials supplied.  Contact Fermoy Library for details.
 
Spring Into Storytime this month!  Saturday Storytime is Back – Starting on Saturday 12^th April at 10:30am. 
 
We are delighted to have been selected to have a Writer in Residence this year.  Cork County Council Writer in Residence, Leeanne O’Donnell will host Creative Writing Workshops throughout 2025.  Why not come along to our Creative Writing Group and see what it’s all about.  No previous experience necessary & everyone is welcome.  Next meeting is on Thursday 3^rd April at 11am. 

Why not come along and try?  We have a Ciorcal Cainte group, Book Club, Knitting group, and LEGO Clubs.  All are free and require no previous experience! 

Contact us for more information on 025-31318.