Join Us at the Midleton Christmas Market & Lights Switch-On 🎄✨

 

Join Us at the Midleton Christmas Market & Lights Switch-On 🎄✨

Cultural Companions members are invited to meet up for the Midleton Christmas Market and Christmas Lights Switch-On on Sunday 15 November. The event will feature local traders, food stalls, live entertainment and festive activities throughout the afternoon and evening. 

If there is sufficient interest, we'll arrange a meetup in a café in Midleton at 4.30pm. Members will have an opportunity to enjoy a tea or coffee, browse the market stalls together and soak up the festive atmosphere before the official Christmas Lights Switch-On at 6.30pm. 

To make this Cultural Companions outing possible, we will also need a volunteer Meet & Greeter to welcome members, make introductions and help everyone feel comfortable and included.

Interested?

If you would like to attend, or if you would be willing to volunteer as a Meet & Greeter, please get in touch.

📧 culture@muintircork.com
📞 021 450 0688 | 085 867 0744

If enough members express interest and a Meet & Greeter can be found, we'll confirm the arrangements closer to the date. 🎅☕🎄

Vanbrugh & Friends at St Brendan's Church Bantry 15th November

 

Romantic Masters with Vanbrugh & Friends

Music lovers in West Cork are in for a treat this November as Vanbrugh & Friends present an afternoon of Romantic classics in the beautiful setting of St Brendan's Church, Bantry.

📅 Sunday 15 November
🕒 3.00pm
📍 St Brendan's Church, Bantry

The concert will feature two much-loved works from the Romantic repertoire:

• Brahms' Clarinet Quintet in B minor Op.115 (arranged for string quintet)
• Dvořák's String Quintet in E flat major Op.97 "American"

Performed by members of the Vanbrugh Quartet alongside guest musicians Marja Gaynor and Séamus Hickey, this promises to be a memorable afternoon of beautiful chamber music.

This is a wonderful opportunity for Cultural Companions members in the Bantry area to enjoy a live performance and connect with others who share an interest in music and the arts.  

West Cork Music provide a 20% discount to Cultural Companions members.

If there is interest in attending as a group we can arrange a meet up ahead of the concert in local café, so if you are interested in coming along let us know and we will keep you posted on plans. 

Christmas in Cork

 

The evenings might be closing in, but there is a jam-packed Christmas in Cork programme to keep you entertained!

From the much-loved Christmas Parade, where Santa will arrive with a little help from Cork City Fire Brigade, to Christmas markets filled with local food producers and artisan makers, there’ll be lots to enjoy around the city.

The Family Festive Hub is back too, with free entertainment for all the family, including circus and puppet shows, face painting, creative workshops, kids’ discos and live music from The Kabin Crew, Barrack Street Band and Boolaboom.

New for 2026, The Promise of Christmas will transform St Fin Barre’s Cathedral with an immersive light and sound experience.

Here are some key dates for your diary:

15 November: Christmas Parade

20 November – 22 December: Christmas Markets at Bishop Lucey Park*

27 November – 31 December: Ferris Wheel at Grand Parade*

28 November – 20 December: Family Festive Hub at Counting House Plaza*

9 – 19 December: The Promise of Christmas at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral

Cultural Companions Outing: Starlight Express Live on Stage - on the Big Screen

Interested in a fun night out with music, entertainment and a touch of nostalgia?

Why not join fellow Cultural Companions members for a screening of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express - Live on Stage on Thursday 26 November at 7.00pm.

Filmed live at the specially designed Starlight Auditorium in Wembley Park, this spectacular production brings the much-loved musical to the big screen. Featuring an incredible cast of 40 performers, the story follows Rusty the steam train as he competes to become the fastest engine in the world, accompanied by some of musical theatre's most memorable songs.

Having been enjoyed by audiences worldwide for decades, Starlight Express promises an evening of music, excitement and dazzling stagecraft that appeals to all ages.

Make It a Social Occasion

We'd love members to attend as a group and make an evening of it. If there is enough interest, we can arrange a meeting point before the screening where members can enjoy a tea, coffee, chat before heading in together.

We're also looking for a Meet & Greeter volunteer to help welcome members and ensure everyone feels included.

Event Details

📅 Thursday 26 November
🕖 7pm - 9pm
🎭 Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express - Live on Stage
💶 Tickets from €11.95 

Interested?

If you'd like to join other Cultural Companions for this event, please contact us:

📧 culture@muintircork.com
📞 021 450 0688 | 085 867 0744

Come along for a wonderful evening of music, theatre and good company! 🎭🚂✨

Film Screening & Discussion: The Quickening 26 Nov Ballincollig

How does the health of our soil affect the food we eat, the environment around us and the future of farming in Ireland?

Check out The Quickening, a free film screening and discussion exploring soil health, farming and food production, taking place at the Cork Biodiversity Hub, Ballincollig, on 26 November at 7.30pm. 

Created by filmmaker Deirdre O'Mahony, The Quickening emerged from conversations with farmers, food producers, scientists, policymakers and others involved in shaping Ireland's food system. The film examines the realities of farming life and explores issues including extreme weather, food regulation, market pressures and the critical importance of healthy soil. 

Following the screening, there will be an open discussion facilitated by Joe McNamee, Senior Food Writer with the Irish Examiner, giving attendees an opportunity to reflect on the future of farming, our relationship with the land and the opportunities for regenerative agriculture in Cork and beyond. 

The event marks the culmination of two years of consultation with farmers and community gardeners as part of the European FEAST project and forms part of the One Health Festival, which highlights the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health. 

📅 26 November 2026
🕢 7.30pm
📍 Cork Biodiversity Hub, Ballincollig (P31 PX67)
💰 Free admission
📧 Register by emailing: corkbiodiversityhub@gmail.com 

This promises to be a fascinating evening for anyone interested in food, farming, biodiversity and the future of our environment. 🌱🎬🚜

November event in Mallow with Eanna Ni Lamhna

Looking for an enjoyable afternoon out with good company and an interesting conversation starter?

This month, Cultural Companions members are invited to attend a special event at Mallow Library featuring one of Ireland's best-known nature experts and broadcasters.

Treading Lightly on the Earth with Éanna Ní Lamhna

📅 17 November
🕒 3.00pm
📍 Mallow Library

Join renowned environmentalist, educator and broadcaster Éanna Ní Lamhna for an uplifting and thought-provoking talk exploring how small changes in our everyday lives can have a positive impact on the world around us.

Rather than focusing on problems, this event offers practical, hopeful ideas for living more sustainably, protecting local biodiversity and appreciating the natural environment on our doorstep. Whether you're interested in gardening, wildlife, community action or simply curious about how to make a difference, there's something here for everyone.

A Cultural Companions Meetup

We invite members to attend together and make a social occasion of it.

We'll be looking for a Meet & Greeter volunteer to welcome members, introduce people to one another and help ensure everyone feels comfortable and included.

Members may also wish to arrive a little early for a tea or coffee nearby before the talk, giving everyone a chance to chat and get to know each other before the event begins.

Afterwards, there will be an opportunity to continue the conversation, share thoughts on the talk and enjoy some social time together.

Interested?

Whether you're a regular Cultural Companions member or attending for the first time, you'd be very welcome to join us.

If you'd like to attend, or if you'd be interested in acting as a Meet & Greeter, please contact:

📧 culture@muintircork.com
📞 021 450 0688 | 085 867 0744

Come along for an afternoon of fascinating discussion, new ideas and good company. 🌿☕📚

Events at Mallow Library This November

Mallow Library has a range of free talks, social events and activities taking place throughout November. Many may be of interest to Cultural Companions members looking to connect with others, learn something new or get involved locally.

Upcoming Events

6 November | 11am - 1pm
HSE Adult Safeguarding Information Event
Learn more about creating safer, more supportive communities for all.

7 November | 11am
Handweavers Guild of Cork
Discover the art of weaving, spinning and dyeing with this welcoming community of craft enthusiasts.

13 November | 11am
Home Energy & Upgrades Talk
Learn about grants, home energy upgrades and practical ways to improve energy efficiency.

13 November | 2pm
Adult Bingo
An afternoon of fun, laughter and prizes.

17 November | 10:30am - 12:30pm
Cork Volunteer Centre Pop-Up Clinic
Find out about volunteering opportunities in your local community.

17 November | 3pm
Treading Lightly on the Earth with Éanna Ní Lamhna
An inspiring talk on simple ways we can all make a difference for the environment.

19 November | 11am
Age Friendly Coffee Morning
Join others for a coffee and discover the social side of Mallow Library.

20 November | 11am
Prevent Slips, Trips & Falls
Neuromuscular Therapist Norma Mulcahy shares practical advice on maintaining balance and staying active.

21 November | 3pm
Book Launch: Mary and Padraic Colum: Lives and the Dream
An afternoon of stories, music and conversation with author Margaret Kelleher and guests.

Regular Activities

Mallow Library also hosts a variety of ongoing groups including:

• Irish Conversation Groups
• Mallow Scribes Creative Writing Group
• Adult Knitting Group
• Library Quilters
• Active Retirement Card Players
• Adult Book Club
• Adult Board Games

For more information, contact Mallow Library on 022 21821.