🎶 Cultural Companions at Bealtaine – Music Making in Bantry Library

As part of the Bealtaine Festival, celebrating creativity as we age, Cork County Council Libraries are hosting a fantastic programme of free events across the county this May.

This year, Cultural Companions will be meeting up in Bantry Library to take part in a relaxed and welcoming music-making workshop led by musician and facilitator Dr. Kevin McNally.

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🎵 Party Piece – Music Making Workshop

📅 Wednesday 13 May
🕝 2:30pm – 4:30pm
📍 Bantry Library

This is a friendly, informal session where everyone is welcome—whether you sing, play an instrument, or simply enjoy listening.

The workshop is all about playing music that’s meaningful to you, in a relaxed group setting where there’s no pressure and no need for prior experience. It’s about enjoyment, participation, and sharing the experience together.

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🌿 A relaxed Cultural Companions meet-up

Cultural Companions will gather before the session to enjoy the event together, with time to chat, connect, and take part in the workshop as a group.

It’s a great opportunity to:

• Enjoy live, participatory music in a welcoming space
• Meet others in a friendly, social setting
• Take part at your own pace—sing, play, or simply listen

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🎶 Join us

If you would like to join Cultural Companions for this Bealtaine event in Bantry Library, we’d be delighted to hear from you.

📧 culture@muintircork.com

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🎭 Cultural Companions at Midleton Arts Festival

The Midleton Arts Festival returns this May, bringing a lively programme of theatre, literature, visual art, music, and creative workshops into the heart of the town. It’s a brilliant celebration of community creativity, with events taking place across Midleton from 15–24 May.

This year’s theme, “Eco-Web”, explores connection—between people, place, and nature—through a wide range of artistic events and shared experiences.

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📖 Literary Reading with Paudrig Lee

As part of the festival, Cultural Companions will be attending a special literary reading at Midleton Library featuring Paudrig Lee and other writers.

📅 Saturday 17 May
🕛 12:00pm – 1:30pm
📍 Midleton Library

This relaxed reading offers a great opportunity to enjoy new writing in a welcoming setting and connect with others through a shared love of storytelling.

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🚶‍♀️ Followed by a Creative Stroll & Clay Faces Workshop

After the reading, the group will take a gentle stroll through Midleton town, pausing along the way to enjoy public art and the creative atmosphere of the festival.

The outing will finish at Midleton Arts Centre, where participants will take part in a hands-on clay faces workshop—a fun and expressive creative session inspired by imagination, identity, and play.

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🌿 Join Cultural Companions

This is a relaxed, social cultural outing combining literature, walking, and making—perfect for anyone who enjoys creativity and conversation in good company.

If you are interested in joining this Cultural Companions event, please get in touch:

📧 culture@muintircork.com

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We’d love to hear from you and have you join us for a creative day out at the Midleton Arts Festival.

Cork Cultural Companions Bealtaine Programme 2026

Cultural Companions Art & Soul at Castlemartyr 17th June

Art & Soul is back this June at the beautiful Castlemartyr Estate, and after two really popular years with our members attending in big numbers, it’s set to be another fantastic outing.

It’s a brilliant mix of contemporary sculpture and art, spread across the stunning grounds and inside the estate, with something new to see at every turn. It’s easy to see why so many people have made it a favourite over the past couple of summers.

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🗓 Guided Tour – Wednesday 17th June at 12 noon

One of the best ways to experience the exhibition is the guided sculpture tour, where we will get background on the artists and the stories behind the work.

📍 Castlemartyr Estate
🕛 Wednesday 17th June | 12:00pm

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⚠️ Don’t leave it too late

This is a really popular event with our members, and places on the guided tours fill up quickly every year. If you’re thinking of going, it’s best to book early to avoid disappointment.

👉 Book your place here and select the 12noon tour:
https://calendly.com/gormleysfa/art-and-soul-guided-tour-castlemartyr-2026?month=2026-06

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🌿 A great summer day out

It’s a relaxed, enjoyable way to spend a day surrounded by art in a really special setting—and definitely one of those events that people tend to book again once they’ve been. Cultural Companions meet at 11.30am at reception 

Digital Literacy Classes in Bishopstown

 

Join in reviving the long standing tradition of doing Pana Sunday 10th May

 

Cork Age Friendly Public Forum Tuesday May 19th at 11am City Hall

 

Cork Age Friendly Public Forum Tuesday May 19th at 11am City Hall email agefriendlycork@corkcity.ie to register

Wet Felting Landscapes Workshops Midleton & Youghal

 

🎨 Midleton Library

Wet Felting Landscapes Workshop (Catherine Callnan)

A hands-on creative workshop using wool, water, and gentle movement to create your own felted landscape artwork. No experience needed.

📅 Wednesday 13 May | 2:00pm – 4:00pm
📍 Midleton Library
📧 Book: Midleton.library@corkcoco.ie | ☎ (021) 461 3929

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🎨 Youghal Library

Wet Felting Landscapes Workshop (Catherine Callnan)

The same relaxing creative workshop as Midleton, focused on making unique felted landscape pieces in a calm, guided environment.

📅 Saturday 16 May | 11:00am – 1:00pm
📍 Youghal Library
📧 Book: youghal.library@corkcoco.ie | ☎ (024) 93459

Stories Among Friends: Creative Writing Workshop Mallow Library

 

✍️ Mallow Library

Stories Among Friends: Creative Writing Workshop (Gerard O’Callaghan)

A friendly creative writing session to explore storytelling, memory, and imagination in a supportive group setting. Includes a social tea break.

📅 Friday 15 May | 1:30pm – 3:30pm
📍 Mallow Library
📧 Book: mallow.library@corkcoco.ie | ☎ (022) 21821

30+ fun filled events for May Sunday Festival Killeagh

 

May Sunday Festival Highlights! Opening Night Friday May 1 Creativity - Saturday May 2 Community - Sunday May 3 Closing the Festival - Monday May 4 Festival Raffle - Win Big! LAST CHANCE TO BOOK MAY CLASSES!  Afterschool Art Classes - Tuesdays & Wednesdays in May What's on in May at Greywood Arts Opening Night Friday, May 1 – Festival Launch with Music & a Fire Show!   Kick off the May Sunday Festival with walks in the wood, live music and a fire show! All you need to know about events can be found here: www.maysunday.ie  Thank you to The Arts Council, Cork County Council & Youghal Credit Union for making this year's festival possible!  Saturday May 2 Saturday, May 2 – All things creative with our Saturday Schedule!   Celebrate CREATIVITY at the May Sunday Festival with our Saturday schedule of workshops and events for all ages! Willow Weaving workshops are booking up fast - get your tickets now to avoid disappointment! Book morning here & afternoon here.  Reserve your place for all our workshops and events at: www.maysunday.ie  Sunday May 3 Sunday, May 3 – Community COMMUNITY is the theme from sunrise to sunset on Killeagh's historic festival day.  We have lots of music and dancing in store honouring May Sunday's traditional roots. Early risers can serenede the sunset with the Dawn Chorus Singing Walk. Join us in Glenbower Wood between 11:30am and 3:30pm for bealtaine celebrations, plein air painting demos, céilí dancing, crafting and much, much more!  Book your ticket for extraordinary folk singer (and frequent Greywood artist-in-residence) Naimh Bury here before they sellout!  All you need to know about events can be found here: www.maysunday.ie  Monday May 4 Monday, May 4 - Going out with a tune! Winding down the festival, we have some feel good activties such as a Glenbower Litter Pick, Busking for Bicyclists and a gentle Foraging Walk. All you need to know about events can be found here: www.maysunday.ie Raffle  Support the Festival RaffleWin a round of golf for two at Castlemartyr Resort, a lovely hamper filled to the brim with goodies or vouchers to spoil yourself with. Grab your tickets at any festival event on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Tickets: 3 for €5 Draw will take place Sunday at 3pm. Afterschool Art Classes With Jaki Coffey *** NEW CLASSES! *** Starting May 5th or 6th  4 weeks 3:15-4:30pm Coach House, Greywood Arts, Killeagh   A fun and relaxed art class for children ages 7-12  with artist Jaki Coffey.  €40 for 4 sessions TUESDAY AFTERSCHOOL BOOK HERE  Link to Tuesday Round 3 Form WEDNESDAY AFTERSCHOOL BOOK HERE Link to Wednesday Round 3 Form May at Greywood Arts

Celebrate Creativity This Bealtaine with Cork County Council Libraries

Bealtaine is the national celebration of arts and creativity as we age, taking place each May across Ireland. This year, Cork County Council has launched an inspiring programme of free events in libraries throughout the county, supported by the Arts Council, Age Friendly Ireland, and Creative Ireland.

From music and storytelling to visual arts, writing, photography, and hands-on craft workshops, the programme offers something for everyone—whatever your age or experience.

Highlights include participatory music and singing workshops with Dr. Kevin McNally, including the relaxed Party Piece sessions where participants are invited to play, sing, or simply listen in a welcoming environment. Ukulele workshops also offer a fun introduction to one of the world’s most accessible instruments, with no experience or instrument required.

For those interested in storytelling and writing, there is a rich selection of creative writing workshops led by acclaimed authors and facilitators, including crime writing with Casey King (Marie O’Halloran), memoir writing with David McLoghlin, and a variety of storytelling and short fiction sessions across libraries in Fermoy, Mallow, Carrigaline, Charleville, Mitchelstown, and beyond.

The programme also features a vibrant range of visual arts and craft workshops, from dreamcatcher weaving and willow craft to wet felting, drawing, mixed media, and still life painting. These sessions are designed to be accessible, relaxing, and inspiring, with all materials provided.

Music lovers, film audiences, and those interested in creativity in later life can also enjoy talks, performances, screenings, and community conversations across the county and islands, including events exploring creativity, publishing, and artistic life experience.

All events are free, though booking is required in many cases due to limited places.

To explore the full Bealtaine programme and book events, visit:

https://www.corkcoco.ie/en/events/bealtaine-festival-2026

Music at Triskel with Lunchtime concerts

 https://triskelartscentre.ie/events/aimez-vous-brahms/ 

A few events that might be of interest to members next month Triskel Arts Centre;

Cork Pianofest 2026;Lunchtime Concerts over 3 weekends.

Friday 22nd May 1pm 

Friday 29th May 1pm

Friday 5th June 1pm 

Also another lunchtime Jazz concert 9th May.

Cork Midsummer Festival 2026

1975 / Naoi Déag Seachtó Cúig by Teaċ Daṁsa announced for Cork Midsummer Festival 2026 for three performances only 19 - 21 June at Cork Opera House   “1975 is the most beautiful and sympathetic dance response to traditional Irish Music I have ever seen” - Martin Hayes (The Gloaming, The Common Ground Ensemble) We’re so thrilled and excited to announce our first highlight event for 2026 - a stunning show from the extraordinary Teac Damsa. Set to the iconic 1975 album by Irish traditional group The Bothy Band, 1975 / Naoi Déag Seachtó Cúig is a must-see dance and theatre performance ritual where music and movement merge as one. In this new show, choreographer Michael Keegan-Dolan brings together seven exceptional dancers to honour, remember and be inspired by a visionary cultural happening in challenging times. "I had always dreamed of making a dance theatre work to one complete music album. Of all the albums in all the world, it had to be 1975, by The Bothy Band." - Michael Keegan-Dolan Seven dancers. Seven chairs. Seven sharp suits. And one legendary album. Teaċ Daṁsa (Loch na hEala / Swan Lake, MÁM, How to be a Dancer in 72,000 Easy Lessons, NOBODADDY), based in the West Kerry Gaeltacht / Gaeltacht Chorca Dhuibhne, is internationally renowned for creating powerful dance-theatre ritual rooted in place and community. Tickets are on sale now! Book now Watch the trailer for 1975 / Naoi Déag Seachtó Cúig by Teaċ Daṁsa Director and Choreographer Michael Keegan-Dolan Dancers Aki Iwamoto, Daniel Myers, Amit Noy, James O’Hara, Rachel Poirier, James Southward & Holly Vallis Lighting Design Adam Silverman Costume Design Hyemi Shin & Amanda Donovan Additional Sound Design Jelle Roozenburg Videographer Mickey Kelly Photography Emilija Jefremova Recorded Music The Bothy Band | 1975 With thanks to Compass Records Supported by The Arts Council and Údarás na Gaeltachta Co-produced by Cork Midsummer Festival, Cork Opera House, and Théâtre de la Ville - Paris Book now "Seeing "Naoi Déag Seachtó Cúig" transported me right back to moments from the time of making the album, in a way I had not expected. Teaċ Daṁsa's interpretation of our work brings to life all the joy, fun, sadness and divilment of what was an an extraordinary adventure for us as a band, and I thoroughly recommend going to see it." - Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill (The Bothy Band) "This is transcendental dancing to a masterful and transformational soundtrack, amounting to a combination that is sublime.plate." - Diarmuid Ferriter, writer & historian "I was so taken by this show when I had the good fortune to see a preview in West Kerry, I wrote a poem to Michael Keegan-Dolan and company the minute I came home. I was simply moved... This is the craft of movement and memory, bodies and minds, energy and the sublime." - Dairena Ní Chinnéide, poet Cork Midsummer Festival is principally funded by