Joseph Higgins: Life and Legacy Symposium

 

Joseph Higgins: Life and Legacy Symposium Saturday 6th December | 1:30pm - 5:30pm Cork City Library, Grande Parade National Sculpture Factory are excited to collaborate with Cork Public Museum, Cork City Arts Office, and Cork City Libraries, to present a panel discussion with artists Alan Butler and Vivienne Roche. This discussion between two renowned contemporary artists, chaired by NSF Director Helen Carey, will be a one-off event that examines the shape of the future of sculpture. Alan Butler, ASSETS exhibition shot, photo courtesy Green on Red Gallery & the artist Alan Butler works with traditional and new media as a means to explore subjects and ideas related to digital culture and their role in the formation of realities. With a production modality that utilises materials and media from the history of image-making, the body of work often examines how 3D graphics, video game and cloud technologies function both ideologically and politically.  Butler’s solo show, ASSETS, opened at green on Red Gallery, Friday 7 November, to coincide with CAGA’s Dublin Gallery Weekend 2025. ASSETS, an umbrella term which refers to information or the objects in a database which are appropriated and transformed into new forms and assemblages. ASSETS, in how they relate to Butler’s practice, are part of a logistical image-production pipeline and the works in which the show reflect the vast array of approaches to art production from the artist’s studio. In Butler’s practice, ASSETS are not something that should be considered or fixed, but nodes on an undulating planetary network composed of data infrastructure, organic matter, dirt, decay and culture; all potential tools or media at play. Vivienne Roche, Baby Teeth in Perspective, 2022 – 2024,Cast bronze, plaster, steel, photo courtesy RHA Gallery & the artist, Photography by Ros Kavanagh Over the last decades, Vivienne Roche has worked in large-scale bronze, glass, steel, sailcloth, stuccodore plaster, and reconfigured landscape.  Drawing, watercolour and photography have also been central to her work. Her artistic themes derive from site-specific dialogues between architecture and sculpture, the emotional resonances of the coastal landscape in which she lives, relationships between male and female, archaeology sites and their artefacts, and between music and the visual. Her most recent solo exhibition was Abridged, a major show of works including drawing, sculpture and video, at the main gallery of the RHA, September- November 2024 Cork Public Museum in collaboration with Cork City Arts Office and Cork City Libraries, with the Higgins Estate, commemorates the Artist with a dedicated programme of events, beginning on Saturday 6th December, featuring a lecture by Peter Murray, curator and art historian, ‘In Conversation’ with art historian, Vera Ryan and sculptor, Matthew Thompson, and a panel discussion in collaboration with the National Sculpture Factory, with artists Alan Butler and Vivienne Roche, chaired by NSF Director Helen Carey. On Tuesday December 9th a new exhibition opens at Cork Public Museum Best known for his mastery as a figurative sculptor, Joseph Higgins – was a both a painter and a sculptor, a carver in wood and stone. His small body of surviving works are both deeply personal but also evocative of the contemporary politics of the time in which they were made. Above all, they are an exquisite testament to the relevance of the artist, one hundred years after his premature death at 40 years.

Musical events across Cork City

 

🎶 December Music Events in Cork City

(Information kindly shared by our member, Brendan Meade)

Brendan has shared a great roundup of music events happening across Cork City this December. All listings are exactly as provided. Thank you, Brendan!

---

Tuesday 2nd December

Coel by Candlelight
7.30pm, Honan Chapel UCC
Tickets available at ticketsource.com

---

Friday 5th December

FUAIM Season UCC
Lisa Lambe with UCC Choir
1.10pm, Aula Maxima (free admission)

---

Sunday 7th December

Fleischmann Choir, 7–8pm
Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, Dennehys Cross, Cork
Tickets: corkorchestralsociety.ie or at the door.

---

Friday 12th & Saturday 13th December

Handels Messiah, 7pm
St. Finbarres Cathedral
Tickets available via Cathedral website or at the door.

---

Sunday 14th December

Honan Chapel UCC, 7pm
Musicorum Honan Chapel
Tickets from €15 available at eventbrite.ie

---

Triskel Arts Centre Events

Saturday 6th December, 1pm
Ficino Quartet

Friday 12th December, 8pm
Chopin @ Christmas with Fionnuala Moynihan

Saturday 13th December, 1pm
Spotlight IV

Tickets for all events available via Triskel website

---

Cork School of Music

Wednesday 17th & Thursday 18th December
Curtis Auditorium, 7.30pm
Madrigal 75
Tickets available at corkorchestralsociety.ie

---

Cork City Hall

6th December, 8pm
Lord Mayor's Gala Christmas Concert
Tickets: everyman.com/events/lord-mayors-gala-christmas-concert

9th December
Christmas by Candlelight (SOLD OUT)

---

🎄 For Kids & Grandkids

December 13th & 14th – 12 noon & 2pm
The Snowman – Magical Christmas Matinees with Cork Youth Orchestra
Tickets from €15 + booking fee at corkyouthorchestra.ie

Musical events around Cork County

 

🎄 December Events in West, North & East Cork

(Information kindly shared by our member, Brendan Meade)

Our member Brendan has sent through a very helpful roundup of some events happening across West, North, and East Cork this December. Full details exactly as provided below — thank you, Brendan!

---

West Cork

ABBA by Candlelight
Wednesday Dec 3rd, 8pm
Maritime Hotel Bantry
Hits played by pianist Frank McNamara & The Bridgerton String Quartet.
Tickets available at Eventbrite.ie

---

Ficino Quartet, 

Friday Dec 5th 7.30pm

St Brendan's Church, Wolfe Tone Square, Bantry
Tickets: westcorkmusic.ie or call (027) 52788

---

Victorian Christmas Carols

Saturday Dec 6th, 3.30pm

The Lake Hotel Dunmanway

---

André Rieu’s 2025 Christmas Concert on the BIG SCREEN – Christmas Cinema Event 

Sunday 7th December, 7.30pm
Briery Gap Macroom

Tickets: €20 via www.brierygap.ie

---

New Year’s Family Gathering,

Wednesday Dec 31st 9pm
Wolfe Tone Square, Bantry
Music starts 9pm

---

North Cork

Mallow Castle Illuminated Walkway

Sunday December 7th, 4–7pm

---

Annual Christmas Concert

St. James Church Mallow
Friday Dec 12th & Sat 13th 
Tickets available at the church on Wednesdays, during the Farmers Market on Fridays & Saturdays.

---

Mitchelstown Christmas Concert

Friday December 12th, 8pm
St. Georges Art & Heritage Centre (free parking)

Tickets €25 available from Centre (087)4696913, through Eventbrite.ie, or local outlets.

---

For Family

Saturday 13th December, 3pm
St. Georges Art & Heritage Centre (free parking)
Witches of Oz (Family event & sing-along)
Tickets available through Eventbrite.ie

---

Fermoy Classical Music Society Christmas Concert

Friday 5th December, 7.30pm (Free Event)
Fermoy Community Youth Centre

---

East Cork Events

Midleton

Festive Concert by Jubilate Deo Choir

Friday 19th December, 7.30pm
St. Johns Co-Cathedral

Tickets available through showshappening.com

---

Youghal 

Holy Family Church Choir & Carol Service

Thursday December 14th, 7.30pm, Holy Family Church
Check ringofcork.ie for details. Free Event

---

Friday December 19th, 7.30pm
Our Lady of Lourdes Strand Church
Christmas Carol Service

Friday 19th December, 9pm–10.15pm
Walter Raleigh Hotel
A Very Irish Candlelight Christmas
Tickets available through Eventbrite.ie

---

Cobh

Thursday 11th December, 7.30pm
St. Colmans Cathedral
Carols by Candlelight
Tickets €15 Adult / €10 children
Available from Parish Office (cash only)

---

Spike Island

Sunday 7th December
Christmas Concert @ Spike Island
Tickets €20
Book via www.spikeisland.ie
Proceeds go to Charity Street Angels Cork
Boat departs Kennedy Quay 2.15pm

---

Thanks again to Brendan Meade for gathering and sharing all this information!

Discounted tickets for performance of A Christmas Carol at Nano Nagle

 Hello Cultural Companions, 

I hope this email finds you well and getting into the festive spirit! 

We’re so excited to invite you to our upcoming performances of A Christmas Carol, on Friday 5th December at the beautiful Nano Nagle Place.

As a special treat, we’re offering you an exclusive 20% discount  on a limited number of tickets to enjoy this holiday classic. Simply use the code Fezziwig20 when booking your tickets on Eventbrite.

 Booking link: Eventbrite link

This magical production will bring Scrooge’s journey to life with incredible performances and a truly festive atmosphere.

Seats are filling quickly, so grab your tickets soon – we’d love to see you there!

Kind Regards,

Mary Keating

Company Associate 

Mallow Library December Events

Mallow Camera Club Exhibition

Why not drop into Mallow Library during December and take a moment to view the beautiful selection of photographs on display by Mallow Camera Club! They are really spectacular!


Repair Café – Saturday 6th December 11am – 1:30pm

It’s your last chance of 2025 to get your items repaired! Have you any broken items lying around the house, electrical, household or even clothing that needs repairing? Drop in and ask our Repair Café volunteers to get them in working order for the winter! No booking required. Everyone welcome.


Irish Conversation Circle | Tuesdays at 11:30am

Would you like to learn some Irish in a friendly and casual environment? Our Irish Conversation Circle meet every Tuesday at 11:30am. Everyone welcome. No previous experience required.

Saturday Storytime with Brenda – Saturdays at 11am

Join us for Storytime & colouring with Brenda in the Children’s Area every Saturday at 11am. No booking required. Everyone welcome.

Adult Knitting Group - Wednesdays at 2:30pm

Do you like to knit and natter? All you need is pair of knitting needles & some wool! Pop along on Wednesdays at 2:30pm and join our knitters for some knitting and chatting!

Active Retirement Cards - Thursdays at 2pm

Do you enjoy playing cards? This is the group for you! Come along any Thursday and try your hand with our Active Retirement Card Players! Everyone welcome. No booking required.

Saturday Adult Book Club

Are you interested in joining a Book Club for the Winter? Contact us for more information.



We look forward to seeing you soon!

Markets, Music & Magic: Cork Continues a Month of Free Festive Fun

Cork City Council's Corkmas 2025

.

From Thursday 4 December, Cork City will once again come alive as the Corkmas Christmas Market opens in Emmet Place, transforming the area into a bustling winter wonderland of seasonal food, crafts, gifts and festive experiences.

Running 4–22 December and open Thursdays–Sundays, this year’s market features beautifully decorated wooden chalets, artisan producers, and talented local makers. Visitors can expect everything from handmade gifts to delicious winter treats — the perfect way to support local and soak up the festive spirit in the heart of the city.

The beloved Corkmas Santa Experience also returns from Thursday 4 December, offering families a magical meeting with Santa Claus every Thursday–Sunday until 21 December (pre-booking essential).

Two favourite festive traditions also return to Grand Parade from 4 December: the iconic Ferris Wheel and vintage carousel, offering twinkling views over the city and adding to the festive buzz.

Cork City Council is also delighted to confirm that the newly reopened Bishop Lucey Park will feature in this year’s Corkmas celebrations. The park will host a range of pop-up family events as part of the expanded festive programme. In addition, the new plaza at the historic Counting House on South Main Street will showcase new festive additions throughout December.

A council spokesperson thanked BAM for facilitating the temporary use of the plaza for a range of festive activations. The revamped park will also serve as a pedestrian link, allowing people to wander between Corkmas events on Grand Parade and the Counting House Plaza with ease.

The festive programme at Bishop Lucey Park and Counting House Plaza will take place on Saturday 6 December and Sunday 7 December, offering workshops, live music, performances, kids’ activities and festive surprises.

At Bishop Lucey Park, families can enjoy:
– Craft workshops
– A kids’ festive disco
– Santa’s helpers and roaming circus entertainers
– Festive drumming sessions
– Creative activities with Cork Community Art Link
– Fun Christmas games including magnet mazes, candy-cane limbo and reindeer ring toss
– Family Circus Workshops (juggling, hula hooping, plate spinning and more)

At Counting House Plaza, enjoy Cork’s ultimate festive hangout with nightly performances, music, dance and community celebrations.

Saturday 6 December features big rhythm and big festive fun with the Barrack Street Brass Band, The Kabin Crew, Boola Boom and Grooveline.

Sunday 7 December brings Cork Sings Christmas, featuring Choral ConFusion, The Munster Quartet, Voices of Cork Choir, Emma Nash, Cork School of Dance, The Sing Along Social – A Very Merry Craicmas, and a Music Generation collaboration. The weekend culminates in a magical shared finale where the whole city raises its voice in a joyful celebration of Christmas classics and new favourites.

Ficino Quartet Concerts