Who we are

Cork Cultural Companions is an Age & Opportunity Arts initiative, delivered by Muintir Cork and supported by the HSE and Cork City and County Councils. Cork Cultural Companions has local networks of members who attend events together regularly in Cork City, Mallow, Bantry and East Cork.

Wednesday, 1 October 2025

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



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