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🌇 Cork Sunset Today: 8:31pm
🌇 Last Wednesday: 8:19pm
Welcome new members, and thank you for continuing to share the newsletter!
One thing that jumps out when scanning this week's list: Cork has quietly built a proper midweek cultural calendar. Tuesday alone has the World Book Festival launch, an Enda Walsh play and a folk horror talk at Cyprus Avenue.
This weekend also has everything from jazz lunchtime sessions at Triskel, morning group runs, and Britpop greatest hits from Sleeper at Cyprus Avenue.
Lots happening. Hopefully, something here works for you!
• Follow Cork Circle on Instagram for updates during the week.
Discounts & Deals
Cork Circle Exclusive: 10% off selected Mahers Coffee products with our code CIRCLE10
Shop Mahers Coffee
💃 Belly Dance 8 Week Course – €75 (Cork Circle Deal)
The Carraig Centre, Ballincollig | From Tues Apr 22nd | 🎟 €75 with code SBDCC |
Discounted full course price when booking via this week’s €5 taster class or using the Cork Circle code (SBDCC) to get €20 off.
Building Tools For Cork
We’ve added another batch of Cork gyms this week. Below is a quick scroll through the city-by-area listings as the tool starts to fill out.
Before we lock things in, this is the last window to add your gym experiences. If you’ve trained anywhere in Cork, your input in the short survey below directly improves how useful this tool ends up being.
For new joiners, here’s a thread explaining what we’re going to build.
What’s On This Week
Across the Week
🎭 FRIENDS! The Musical Parody
Cork Opera House | Wed Apr 15 – Sat Apr 18, various times | 🎟 €39–€56
Comedy musical parody recreating moments from the TV series Friends with original songs and characters.
Wednesday April 15th
📖 An Evening with Dr Mary Ryan
Eason, Patrick Street | 7pm–8:30pm | 🎟 €5 (redeemable) |
In-conversation event and book signing with Dr Mary Ryan hosted by Maura Derrane.
💃 Sahara Beginner Belly Dance – Taster Class
The Carraig Centre, Ballincollig | 7pm–8pm | 🎟 €5 |
Beginner-friendly belly dance taster session with no experience needed.
📚 Philosophy for Life Course
New Acropolis Ireland, Cork | 7:30pm–9:30pm | 🎟 First 2 Sessions Free |
Introductory session of a 16-week course exploring key ideas from Eastern and Western philosophy and their practical application.
🎸 Big Sleep
Wavelength Rooftop Bar | 7pm | 🎟 €16.50 |
Live show from Dublin rock band Big Sleep performing tracks from their debut album Holy Show.
🎶 Mary Bragg
Coughlan’s | 7:30pm | 🎟 €15 |
Live Americana performance from Nashville singer-songwriter Mary Bragg featuring original material.
Thursday April 16th
🎨 April Artists Afternoon
The Everyman | 1:30pm–3:30pm | 🎟 Free (registration required) |
Informal networking afternoon for artists and arts workers with space to meet, chat and connect.
🧵 Knitwear & Repair Workshop
Penneys Cork City | 5pm–6:30pm | 🎟 Free |
Hands-on workshop teaching simple techniques to repair and upcycle knitwear with guidance from a textile artist.
🏡 How to Plan for Success When Building or Renovating Your Home
The Fifth Quarter | 5:30pm–7pm | 🎟 Free |
Panel discussion with an interior designer and builder sharing advice on planning, budgeting and key decisions for home projects.
🎲 Board Game Night for Remote & Hybrid Employees
Bodega | 7pm | 🎟 Free |
Social board game night for remote and hybrid workers with a mix of casual games and networking.
👗 The Silver Edit Fashion Show
Mabel Lane, Carrigaline | 7:30pm–10:30pm | 🎟 €30 |
Fashion show featuring local designers and retailers in support of the Shine Centre for Autism.
🎸 Noah Hayes – Live at Fred’s
Fred Zeppelins | 7:30pm–11:30pm | 🎟 €11.70 |
Live show from Noah Hayes with support from Tulca and Tyra-Lee-Spry.
🎶 The Artistry of Frank Sinatra
The Everyman | 8pm | 🎟 €30 |
Live big band show celebrating the music of Frank Sinatra with original arrangements and vocals.
Friday April 17th
🏛 Common Threads – Archaeology Conference
Clayton Hotel Silver Springs | 9am–4:30pm | 🎟 €20–€90 |
Conference exploring connections across archaeology through talks, discussions and research presentations.
🎶 Free Improvisation Concert
The Roundy | 2:30pm–4:30pm | 🎟 Free |
Live performance of experimental and improvised music by international participants following a workshop.
🎲 LGBTI+ Community Game Night
South Parish Community Centre | 5:30pm–7:30pm | 🎟 Free |
Casual board games and social evening for the LGBTQ+ community.
🎬 Maria’s Silence (Baltic Film Festival)
Triskel Arts Centre | 6:30pm (5:30pm for wine reception) | 🎟 €11 |
Historical drama based on the life of actress Maria Leiko, opening the Baltic Film Festival with a pre-screening wine reception.
🎸 Croíthe
Wavelength Rooftop Bar | 7pm–10:30pm | 🎟 €11 |
Live show from Dublin post-punk and shoegaze band Croíthe with support from The Wran.
🎸 Sleeper
Cyprus Avenue | 7pm | 🎟 €32.50 |
Britpop band Sleeper perform a greatest hits set celebrating 30 years of their debut album Smart.
💃 Ecstatic Dance Cork – DJ Deja Lu
Nano Nagle Theatre | 7pm–9:30pm | 🎟 From €27.79 |
Guided movement session followed by a DJ-led freeform dance experience focused on expression and connection.
🎭 Replica
Cork Arts Theatre | Fri-Sat, 17-18 Apr, 7:30pm | 🎟 €12–€15 |
Student theatre production exploring identity and truth through a mystery set among a group of teenagers.
💄 The Glam Prix – Drag Lipsync Battle
The Pavillion | 7:30pm | 🎟 €22.42 |
Drag lipsync battle between Cork Hellhounds RFC and Cork Frontrunners, raising funds for LGBT+ sport, hosted by Leticha LeSynn.
😂 The Best of Cork Series (Comedy)
City Limites Comedy Club | 8pm | 🎟 €20 |
Stand-up comedy night featuring Micheal “The Barman” Roche, Paul Crowley and guest Mark O’Keeffe.
Saturday April 18th
🧩 Sensory-Friendly Morning – The Glucksman
The Glucksman | 10am–11am | 🎟 Free (registration required) |
Quiet museum session with reduced sensory input and supports for a more comfortable gallery experience.
🃏 Cork Card Show
Marina Market | 10:30am–5:30pm | 🎟 €0–€11.70 |
Trading card event featuring vendors, collectors and trading across Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic: The Gathering and sports cards.
🎨 Cork Artist Club
The Roundy (Upstairs) | 11am–2pm | 🎟 €1 |
Casual drawing and painting meetup with optional exercises and social break.
🍯 Meet the Meadmaker – Kinsale Mead Co.
Kinsale Mead Co, Kinsale | 11am–1pm | 🎟 €27.79 |
Guided tour and tasting exploring mead production with samples paired with local artisan food.
📚 Am I My Brother’s Keeper? The Moylan Family and the American Revolution
Cork City Library | 12pm–1:30pm | 🎟 Free |
Talk exploring the Moylan family’s role in the American Revolution, including the life of Stephen Moylan.
🎷 Jake Kalilec – Triskel Lunchtime Jazz Series
Triskel Arts Centre | 1pm | 🎟 €16–€18 |
Live jazz performance featuring original compositions and arrangements performed with a 12-piece band.
🍰 Tom Ford Experience with Sparkling Afternoon Tea
Fota Island Resort | 2pm–4pm | 🎟 €59.97 (selling fast) |
Afternoon tea experience with a guided Tom Ford fragrance session and styling advice.
🧘 Women’s Retreat – Return To Self
Collective Cork | 3pm–5pm | 🎟 €38.52 |
Wellness session combining breathwork, gentle movement, journaling and relaxation practices in a group setting.
🎸 Live at the Library – Ciarán Treacy
Cork City Library | 3pm–4pm | 🎟 Free |
Live performance from classical guitarist Ciarán Treacy featuring a mix of classical and contemporary pieces.
🕺 Daylight Disco (Over 30s)
Popscene Late Bar & Club | 6pm–10pm | 🎟 From €9.55 |
Early evening disco featuring 80s and 90s hits with DJs and a dancefloor-focused party atmosphere.
🎸 Andy McKee
The White Horse, Ballincollig | 8pm | 🎟 €24.69 |
Live performance from world-renowned acoustic guitarist showcasing material from his latest EP.
😂 Aoife Dunne – Good Grief
The Everyman | 8pm | 🎟 €33.50 |
Stand-up and storytelling show exploring grief and connection through humour and personal experiences.
🎧 Baliza in Cork
Kino Events House | 9:15pm–3am | 🎟 From €11.70 |
Music event with Spanish DJs followed by an after-party featuring classic Spanish tracks.
🎸 Hot Guitars
Coughlan’s | 10pm | 🎟 Free |
Live blues and rock covers from a Cork band performing classics from artists like The Rolling Stones and Muddy Waters.
Sunday April 19th
🏃 Early Birds Runners
Marina Market | 7:30am–9am | 🎟 Free |
Weekly group run at a relaxed pace with a social coffee option afterwards.
🧘 lululemon Yoga Class with Hazel O’Sullivan
Brown Thomas Cork | 10am–11am | 🎟 €27.79 |
In-store yoga session followed by private shopping with refreshments included.
🌿 Fota Plant Fair
Fota House & Gardens | 11am–4pm | 🎟 Free |
Outdoor plant fair featuring specialist nurseries, garden stalls and expert advice for spring planting.
🧶 Needle Felting Workshop
Artisana, Winthrop Arcade | 2pm–4pm | 🎟 €45 |
Beginner-friendly workshop creating a felted animal artwork with all materials provided.
🎶 Sunday Songbook – Do the Hucklebuck!
The Everyman | 3pm | 🎟 From €28 |
Live tribute show celebrating the Irish showband era with classic hits and guest performer Art Supple.
😂 Roger O’Sullivan – Fekken
Cyprus Avenue | 7pm | 🎟 €20 |
Stand-up show blending comedy, storytelling and 90s video game nostalgia from award-winning comedian Roger O’Sullivan.
🎶 How I Became A Wave – Live
Prim’s Bookshop, Kinsale | 7:30pm–9:30pm | 🎟 €22.42 (last few tickets)
Live performance from Pat Carey blending folk, ambient and literary-inspired songwriting.
🎶 Reggae Sundays – Yes I & DJ Gwada Mike
Crane Lane Theatre | 9pm | 🎟 Free |
Live roots reggae band followed by DJ sets as part of a monthly Sunday night session.
Monday April 20th
🎶 Tara MacLean – An Evening of Song & Story
Maureen’s | 7pm–9pm | 🎟 €17.07 (selling fast) |
Intimate live performance blending music and storytelling from the Canadian singer-songwriter.
🎶 Marten James Presents: An Acoustic Evening IV
The Roundy | 7:30pm–10:30pm | 🎟 €10 |
Acoustic live music night featuring Marten James with guest performances in an intimate setting.
🎷 Jazz Improv! (All Players Welcome)
Crane Lane Theatre | 9pm | 🎟 Free |
Jazz jam session open to musicians of all levels, hosted by Paul Dunlea.
Tuesday April 21st
📖 Cork World Book Festival – Opening Night
Cork City Library | 7pm–8pm | 🎟 Free |
Festival launch featuring a book discussion with author Danielle McLaughlin and guest speakers.
🚴 Spin, Strength & Sauna
Gym Plus Mahon | 7pm–8pm | 🎟 €16.69 |
Group fitness session combining spin, strength training and post-workout sauna access.
📚 The History of Folk Horror
Cyprus Avenue | 7pm–9:30pm | 🎟 From €17.16 |
Talk exploring the origins and evolution of folk horror in literature and film, followed by a Q&A.
🎭 Ballyturk by Enda Walsh
The Everyman | Tues Apr 21 – Wed Apr 22, 8pm | 🎟 €26 |
Darkly comic theatre piece following two characters imagining a fictional town while confronting deeper themes.
🎶 Amhráin na Mara – Songs of the Sea
Cork Arts Theatre | 7:30pm | 🎟 €14–€18 |
Sing-along evening of sea songs in Irish and English featuring a group of local performers.
Events For Kids
🎭 Poppins, A Magical Nanny
The Everyman | Fri, Apr 17 | 7pm | 🎟 €25 |
Family musical performed by Spotlight Performing Arts students featuring songs and scenes from the classic story.
📚 Storytelling for Children with Elaine
Cork City Library | Sat, Apr 18 | 10am | 🎟 Free |
Children’s storytelling morning for ages 0–7 with live stories and interaction.
🎻 Seoda na Maidine – Children’s Trad Group
Cork City Library | Sat, Apr 18 | 12pm–1pm | 🎟 Free |
Traditional music group for young musicians aged 9–15 to learn and play together.
⚽ CWSSL 3v3 Football Festival
Nemo Rangers GAA Club | Sat, Apr 18 | 2pm–7pm | 🎟 From €11.57 |
Girls-only 3v3 football festival for youth teams featuring small-sided matches and skill-based play.
Planning Ahead
📚 Cork Lifelong Learning Festival
Across Cork City | Wed Apr 22 – Wed Apr 29 | 🎟 Free |
City-wide festival featuring workshops, talks, classes and events celebrating learning for all ages.
📖 Roddy Doyle in Conversation – Cork World Book Festival
Triskel Christchurch | Sat Apr 25 | 2pm | 🎟 €15 |
Author Roddy Doyle joins Paul McVeigh for a live conversation as part of the Cork World Book Festival.
🎶 Carsie Blanton & The Burning Hell
Cyprus Avenue | Sat Apr 25 | 7pm | 🎟 €27.50 (selling fast) |
American singer-songwriter blending folk, indie and political songwriting, joined by The Burning Hell for a live show at Cyprus Avenue.
🎶 Nathan Carter
Cork Opera House | Sat Apr 25 | 8pm | 🎟 €33.50–€38.50 (selling fast) |
Live show from Irish country singer Nathan Carter featuring a mix of country, folk and pop hits.
🎤 K-Pop Forever!
Cork Opera House | Tues May 12 – Thurs May 14 | 7pm | 🎟 €34 (last few tickets) |
Live tribute show featuring performances of popular K-pop songs.
🎸 Fist of Pure Emotion – Spring Fling Part Deux
Cyprus Avenue | Sat May 16 | 7pm–10:30pm | 🎟 €22 (last few tickets) |
Live show featuring 80s and 90s rock anthems and nostalgic hits
Old Cork
This photo shows part of the old swivel-style Parnell Bridge and the original Old City Hall with its landmark clock tower, captured around 1902. The edge of Parnell Bridge is just visible in the left corner.
The City Hall building was later destroyed during the Burning of Cork in December 1920.
The current City Hall, shown below, was subsequently built on the same site.
