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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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!

Nutrition for healthy ageing and longevity: Workshop in Tory Top Library

Nutrition for healthy ageing and longevity:

Learn how the body's nutritional needs change as we age, and how we can eat to support our health for the long-term.
This talk will provide practical strategies on how you can make simple changes that can make a big difference to life-long health.

 

Friday 3 October at 2 p.m.

Places Limited

Please register at the Lending Desk of Tory Top Library or call 021 4924946

🎵 October Music Highlights – Don’t Miss These Upcoming Concerts in Cork! 🎵

 🎵 October Music Highlights – Don’t Miss These Upcoming Concerts in Cork! 🎵

Autumn is in full swing, and Cork’s vibrant music scene is ready to delight audiences with a series of exceptional concerts this October. Whether you’re a fan of classical strings, soprano voices, or orchestral masterpieces, there’s something to suit every music lover.

Spotlight II Series – Lunchtime Concerts

• Saturday 4th October, 1:00 PM | Triskel Arts Centre
  Seamus Hickey (Viola) and Sean Morgan Rooney (Piano) bring an intimate and captivating performance to the Spotlight II Series.
  Tickets: €12.50, €10.50 (concession)

Autumn String Quartet Series

• Saturday 11th October, 1:00 PM | Triskel Arts Centre
  Enjoy the exceptional sounds of the Ora Quartet, performing as part of the Autumn String Quartet Series.
  Tickets: €17, €14 (concession)
  Book online: Triskel Arts Centre

Soprano Highlights

• Friday 17th October, 7:30 PM | Curtis Auditorium, School of Music, Union Quay
  Soprano talents Majella Cullagh and Kelly Petcu, accompanied by pianist Ciara Moroney, promise an enchanting evening.
  Admission: €20; €15 (concession); €10 (COS Members)
  Booking: Cork Orchestral Society – early booking recommended

National Symphony Orchestra Ireland

• Saturday 18th October, 7:30 PM | City Hall, Cork
  Under the baton of Conductor Anna Rakitina, featuring Cork violinist Mairead Hickey, the National Symphony Orchestra will perform an unforgettable programme.
  Tickets (Balcony): €30, €28 (concession), €26 (COS Members)
  Tickets (Stalls): €24, €22 (concession), €20 (COS Members)
  Booking: Cork Orchestral Society – early booking advised

Cork2020 Haydn Symphonies Series

• Sunday 19th October, 3:30 PM | Curtis Auditorium, School of Music, Union Quay
  Conclude the month with a 1-hour concert featuring Haydn’s timeless symphonies.
  Tickets: €10 (available online or at the door)
  Seat reservations: Cork2020 Haydn Symphonies – early booking recommended

With so many outstanding performances this October, early booking is highly recommended

Why not join the Cultural Companions WhatsApp group by sending a text to 0858670744 and find like minded company to enjoy these musical treats with!

FREE Breast Cancer Awareness Workshop Midleton

 As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Midleton Family Resource Centre is delighted to invite you to a FREE Breast Cancer Awareness Workshop.

This workshop will be presented by HSE Cancer Prevention Officer Shirley O’Shea and will provide valuable information and practical guidance to support awareness and prevention.

Workshop Details:
 Date: Wednesday, 8th October
 Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
 Venue: Midleton Family Resource Centre, Old Youghal Rd, Midleton, P25WP38

The session will support participants to:

• Recognise the signs and symptoms of breast cancer

• Learn ways to reduce their risk

• Carry out a breast ‘self-check’

Together, we can raise awareness and encourage early detection.

Social Striders at Midleton FRC Wednesdays

We are delighted to let you know that the Social Striders community walking group will be returning to Midleton Family Resource Centre every Wednesday at 10.30am, starting from Wednesday 8th October.

Run in collaboration with the East Cork Social Prescribing Service and Get Ireland Walking. Social Striders is a friendly and inclusive group focused on:

• Building connection and community

• Providing an opportunity to meet new people

• Enjoying a relaxed walk, followed by a cuppa and chat

This is not about fitness or step counts – participants are encouraged to walk at their own pace, choose their own distance, and enjoy the company. The MFRC is the meeting point (start & finish), and all abilities and fitness levels are very welcome.

We would greatly appreciate it if you could share this information with your clients, service users, or anyone who may benefit from a gentle, social way to connect with others.

For more information, please contact MFRC on 0214633522.

Discover Gvozdene Kapije (The Iron Gates) by Barbara Knežević at SIRIUS Arts Centre in Cobh

 

---

Discover Gvozdene Kapije (The Iron Gates) by Barbara Knežević at SIRIUS

This October, we invite you to explore an extraordinary exhibition by Dublin-based artist Barbara Knežević at SIRIUS, Cobh. Drawing on her Australian, Polish, and Serbian heritage, Barbara weaves together film and sculpture to tell layered stories about history, culture, migration, and identity.

At the heart of the exhibition is a stunning film set in the Iron Gates region of the Danube River, on the border of Serbia and Romania. Blending fact and imagination, Barbara gives voice to rivers, mountains, fish, and even ancient Mesolithic sculptures, offering a poetic perspective on how history, place, and memory shape us.

Alongside the film, visitors will encounter powerful sculptures that combine industrial materials like steel and chain with natural elements such as stone, wood, and ceramic. These pieces echo the whirlpools of the Danube and the great turbines of the Iron Gates dam, balancing the monumental with the intimate.

---

Launch Event

📍 SIRIUS, Cobh
📅 Saturday, 4 October
🕑 2–4pm
🎟️ Free – no booking required

The launch includes a special conversation between Barbara Knežević and SIRIUS Director Miguel Amado, offering visitors the chance to hear directly about the inspirations and ideas behind her work.

---

Barbara’s art is both deeply personal and universal, reflecting on family stories while connecting them to larger histories of the Balkans, migration, and cultural change. This exhibition is a chance to immerse yourself in thought-provoking, beautifully made work that speaks across time and place.

Why not come along, bring a fellow Cultural Companion, and share in this unique journey through art, memory, and imagination? 

West Cork Feelgood Festival at Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre Skibbereen

 West Cork Feelgood Festival at Uillinn

Image: Marie Brett, 'Yes, But Do You Care' (still), 2021. Video. Courtesy the artist. In IMMA National Art Collection

This October, Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre hosts a programme of events as part of the 2025 West Cork Feel Good Festival. Highlights include film screenings, facilitated discussions, a community weaving project, dance and art workshops, and a contemplative slow art gallery tour-all free to take part in.

Now in its 13th year, the West Cork Feel Good Festival is a month-long celebration dedicated to promoting mental health, wellbeing, and community connection throughout West Cork. The festival is coordinated by 49 North Street in partnership with HSE South West and a broad network of community organisations, reflecting a shared commitment to inclusive, creative spaces that support personal and social wellbeing.

PROGRAMME DETAILS 

Improvisation Dance Workshop with Hetty Gazzaniga

Thursday 9 Oct  

11:00am-12:45pm  

Booking info@westcorkartscentre.com or 028 22090

Facilitated by Hetty Gazzaniga, this improvisation workshop invites participants to explore movement from the ground up. No previous experience is needed—just a willingness to engage with your body and connect with others. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring socks and water.

Yes, But Do You Care?

Tuesday 14 Oct  

1:00pm to 2:30pm (1.5hrs)

Booking Eventbrite  or 028 22090

Join us for a film screening and discussion of work by visual artist Marie Brett and choreographer/dance artist Philip Connaughton exploring how issues of capacity, autonomy and dementia care-giving, are raising dilemmas amid Ireland’s new capacity legislation.  The Yes, But? tour by artist Marie Brett is funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, and supported by a number of arts, community and health-care organisations including The Alzheimer Society of Ireland

Slow Art Exhibition Exploration with Sylwia Migdal

Thursday 16 Oct

11:00am to 12:30pm

Booking info@westcorkartscentre.com or 028 22090

Public Engagement Assistant, Sylwia Migdal facilitates a slowed down exploration of the current exhibition Night Study by Glenn Laughran. Through this facilitated exploration, participants are encouraged to spend more time with fewer artworks, discovering the joy of truly looking and connecting. This experience is designed to engage the senses, deepen our appreciation of art, and inspire new ways of seeing the world around us.

Thriving Together Community Weaving Project with Lucy Hyman

Workshop: 11 am to 2 pm Saturday 18 October 2025, free to take part

Booking essential on 02822090 or info@westcorkartscentre.com 

Everyone is welcome from 2 pm to 3.30 pm where the final woven piece will be shown and experiences shared.

Join Lucy Hyland for the ‘Feel Good’ community weaving project exploring how people and place can flourish. Come together in community to learn the art of weaving, discover what connects us and celebrate our shared hopes for a sustainable future. Bring your curiosity and a small collection of materials to upcycle such as clothing, textile, wools and together the items you’ve gathered will be woven. All are welcome and no experience is necessary.

For more information please see Thriving Together - West Cork Arts Centre

West Cork Cultural Companions October Gathering – "Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me" Film

 

This October, Cultural Companions West Cork invites members to a special evening of film, music, and shared community brought to us by the West Cork Feelgood Festival. We’ll be gathering to watch the powerful documentary Glen Campbell… I’ll Be Me, a moving portrait of the life and career of one of America’s greatest music icons.

Glen Campbell brought us timeless hits like Rhinestone Cowboy, Wichita Lineman, and Gentle on My Mind. A Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Campbell’s story goes far beyond his music.

In 2011, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Glen and his wife Kim bravely shared their journey with the world. Together with their family, they embarked on a "Goodbye Tour" that grew into an astonishing 151-show triumph across the U.S., proving the unbreakable bond of love, resilience, and the healing power of song.

Featuring unforgettable moments with Glen and contributions from friends and admirers including Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, and many others, the film blends rare footage, personal insights, and heartfelt performances into a stirring cinematic celebration of life and legacy.

---

Event Details

📅 Date: Wednesday 15th October
📍 Venue: Cinemax, Bantry
🕔 Schedule:

• 5:00pm – Members meet for a drink at the Maritime Hotel

• 6:00pm – Screening begins at Cinemax

🎟️ Admission: Free
🤝 Note: A Meet & Greeter is needed for this event

---

Join us for an evening of film, friendship, and reflection on the extraordinary story of Glen Campbell – a man who never gave up his music or his family, even against the odds.

West Cork Feel Good Festival 2025: A Month of Creativity, Connection & Community

 

This month, West Cork once again comes alive with the Feel Good Festival, running from 1–31 October 2025. Now in its 13th year, the festival has grown into a vibrant celebration of creativity, wellbeing and community spirit, with events spanning music, film, theatre, art, comedy, workshops and wellness activities.

Organised by 49 North Street / HSE in partnership with a wide range of community groups, the festival’s mission is simple but vital: to highlight the importance of connection for mental health and wellbeing. With loneliness identified as a major public health concern in Ireland, the festival provides joyful, inclusive spaces where people can come together, create, and connect.

This year’s programme is rich and diverse:

• Together in Song brings community choirs across West Cork together for concerts, workshops and sharing sessions.

• Cruinniú (Dunmanway, 10 Oct) invites community voices for a consultation on the future of local mental health initiatives.

• Behind the Curtain (Skibbereen, 4–5 Oct) spotlights drama and theatre in the community.

• Thriving Together, a weaving project on the islands, explores creativity, resilience and connection with nature.

• Across Beara, Ballydehob, Bantry, Clonakilty, Leap, Schull and beyond, there are concerts, storytelling, laughter yoga, film screenings, wellbeing workshops, meditation, crafts, exhibitions, parades and family-friendly fun.

A special highlight for 2025 is Nóirín Ní Riain as Artist in Residence. Known worldwide for her sacred singing and pioneering work on the health benefits of song, she will lead workshops and performances, sharing her lifelong passion for music’s power to heal and connect.

Most events are free, with ticketed ones supporting local artists and venues. From intimate choir gatherings to lively parades, from thought-provoking workshops to joyous community celebrations, the festival offers something for everyone.

At its heart, the West Cork Feel Good Festival reminds us that mental health is everyone’s business — and that art, creativity and togetherness are powerful tools for building resilience, joy and hope.

For the full programme, visit www.musicalive.ie or click on the programme image below