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Wednesday, 25 June 2025
West Cork Literary Festival 2025
Special Things Art Workshop Free at Triskel July 2nd and 26th
In this free workshop you are encouraged to bring an item of personal significance, and under Mar’s guidance, you will paint or draw these objects in order to explore their impact on us and the memories they embody.
There will be multiple iterations of this workshop, so don’t panic if you miss out on one of the free places this time around; we have a second workshop on Saturday 26 July.
Elysia on our Box Office and Marketing Team sat down with Annie this week to speak about her practice. Read what she had to say as part of our Curating Curiosity series.
Special Things invites you to bring an object of personal significance to the workshop. If you would prefer to bring a photo or draw from your mind, that is also fine. There is no obligation to share your connections to the objects with the group.
About Annie Mar
Annie Mar is an artist and illustrator based in Cork City. She produces commissioned illustrations and animations, facilitates workshops and has her own artistic practice. She is currently Artist in Residence in Triskel Sample Project Space.
Book your place HERE
Monday, 23 June 2025
Meet your heroes - Mallow Castle Sunday July 28th, 2pm
Join us in Mallow Castle on Sunday, July 28th at 2pm to Meet your Heroes!! There on the day will be:
- Mallow First Responders
- Mallow Search & Rescue
- Mallow Fire Brigade
- An GardaÃ
- Cork County Council
- Defence Forces
They’ll have all their vehicles and equipment with them!
This is an autism friendly event in conjunction with Cork County Council. Mallow Castle Sunday July 28th, 2pm
Cultural Companions Visit Spike Island July 20th
Explore Spike Island – Sunday, July 20th
Join Cultural Companions on a day trip to Spike Island on Sunday, July 20th!
We’ll be departing from Cobh at 10:30 AM for a 3.5-hour visit, including ferry ride to the island. Upon arrival, we will have a 40-minute guided tour of the island’s impressive fort, led by one of Spike Island’s expert guides. After the tour, we are free to explore the rest of the island at your leisure, from historic prison buildings to scenic walking trails and engaging exhibitions.
There’s also a café, gift shop, and toilet facilities on site to make your visit comfortable and enjoyable.
Trip Details:
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Date: Sunday, July 20th
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Departure: 10:30 AM from Cobh Meet from 10am
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Duration: 3.5 hours (including ferry crossing)
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Cost: €23.95 + €1 booking fee
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Booking: Tickets must be booked online in advance. Early booking recommended
Important: Please select the Senior Citizen ticket option at checkout, whether or not you personally qualify. This is the discounted group rate recommended by the Spike Island team. Book HERE
Don’t miss this opportunity to visit one of Ireland’s most unique and atmospheric heritage sites with a friendly group of fellow cultural explorers.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Fit Up Theatre West Cork with Cultural Companions
🎠Cultural Companions Outing – Join Us for The Sand Park on Whiddy Island! ðŸŽ
Dear Cultural Companions,
We're delighted to invite you to a special evening of theatre as part of this summer's Blood in the Alley West Cork Drama Festival!
Our group will be attending The Sand Park on Tuesday, 16th July at 8pm, at the Bank House on Whiddy Island. This promises to be a memorable performance in a truly unique setting, perfect for a cultural evening with good company.
🎟 Ticket Information
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€15 per ticket
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Tickets are available on the door only, so please arrive early.
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Doors open 30 minutes before showtime.
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Seating is limited — early arrival is recommended.
⛴ Ferry Details
Please note: Ferry travel is not included in the ticket price.
Return ferries are scheduled after the performance, and return tickets can be purchased at the pier.
For Whiddy Island, the ferry departs from Bantry:
🔗 whiddy.ie/ferry
We recommend checking ferry times in advance to ensure a smooth journey. Feel free to coordinate with other companions for carpooling or shared transport to Bantry via the WhatsApp group.
📅 Festival Highlights
The West Cork Fit Up theatre festival features a rich line-up of plays across four weeks in various island and mainland venues. Other titles include Paddy: The Life and Times, Mary’s Hopes and Dreams, and Ham Sandwiches and Discipline.
You can find additional information on ferry services for other island venues at:
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Heir Island: heirisland.ie
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Sherkin Island: sherkinferry.ie
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Bere Island: murphysferry.com
Let us know if you’ll be joining, and we’ll coordinate a meet-up spot before the ferry. It's a perfect way to enjoy live theatre and connect with fellow companions. Looking forward to a wonderful night of laughter, storytelling, and West Cork craic!
Friday, 6 June 2025
Mini Retreat at Dzogchen Beara
We’re delighted to invite Cultural Companions members to a peaceful and enriching mini-retreat at Dzogchen Beara on Thursday, 26th June 2025.
Nestled on the stunning coastline of West Cork near Allihies, Dzogchen Beara is a renowned Buddhist Retreat Centre with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, the perfect backdrop for a day of rest, reflection, and inspiration.
Led by experienced meditation teacher Andrew Warr, this retreat offers a gentle introduction to simple yet profound methods of meditation and contemplation. Whether you're a complete beginner or simply looking to reconnect with a sense of ease and presence, this day retreat is a chance to pause and recharge in a truly special setting.
🧘♂️ What to Expect:
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Start time: 10.30am
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Fee: €35 – includes tea/coffee and a delicious vegetarian lunch served from 1–2pm in the clifftop meditation room.
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Hosted in the serene and inspiring surroundings of the Dzogchen Beara centre.
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A gentle, supportive atmosphere with time for mindfulness, compassion, and connection.
Come along and enjoy a truly nourishing experience with your fellow Cultural Companions; we’d love to see you there!