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Building Tools For Cork
Appreciate all the gym submissions over the past month! We’re now working through everything and shaping the first version of the site, aiming to have it live in the next few weeks.
For new joiners, here’s a thread explaining what we’re going to build.
New Business Openings
The contemporary gallery returns with a new programme of exhibitions showcasing Irish and international artists.
What’s On This Week
Across the Week
📚 Cork World Book Festival
Various venues | Tue Apr 21 – Sun Apr 26 | 🎟 Mostly Free |
City-wide programme of talks, readings, workshops and events with Irish and international writers.
📚 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.
Wednesday April 22nd
🎶 ESMA Fest
Cyprus Avenue | 7pm–11:30pm | 🎟 €11.70 |
Charity gig featuring Cork artists raising awareness for Sexual Violence Awareness Month.
📖 Somewhere Cold: A Year Living in the High Arctic
Cork City Library | 8pm | 🎟 Free |
Author Geraldine Osborne discusses her memoir and experiences living in the High Arctic.
😂 Shane Todd – Hold Me Back
Cork Opera House | 8pm | 🎟 €32 |
Stand-up show featuring observational comedy from Shane Todd.
🎭 Every Brilliant Thing
Cork Arts Theatre | Wed Apr 22 – Sat Apr 25 | 8pm | 🎟 €15–€18 |
A child creates a list of everything brilliant in the world in this funny and moving play about mental health.
Thursday April 23rd
🧈 Butter Heritage Walking Tour of Shandon
Meeting at Cork Opera House | 12pm–1pm | 🎟 Free |
Guided walking tour exploring Shandon’s history and Cork’s butter trade.
🎸 Cam Cole
Cyprus Avenue | Doors 7pm | 🎟 €20 |
One-man band blending blues, rock and grunge in a high-energy live performance.
🍷 Loire Valley Wine Night
The Metropole Hotel | 7pm–10pm | 🎟 €85.78 (last few tickets) |
Six-course tasting menu paired with Loire Valley wines, guided by a wine expert.
🧠 Meet The Experts – ADHD Ireland
The Metropole Hotel | 7:30pm–9:30pm | 🎟 €10 |
Talks and Q&A with clinicians sharing practical insights on ADHD in children and young people.
😂 Jen Brister – The Reactive Tour
Cork Opera House | 8pm | 🎟 €30 |
Stand-up show tackling modern life with sharp, high-energy comedy.
Friday April 24th
🧠 Neurofestivity 2026
UCC Campus | Fri Apr 24 – Sat Apr 25 | 🎟 Mostly Free (booking required) |
Festival celebrating neurodivergent artists with performances, talks, workshops and exhibitions across UCC and city venues.
☕ Female Founders Breakfast
2 Connell Street | 9:30am–11am | 🎟 €15–€25 |
Networking breakfast for female founders focused on collaboration, ideas and support.
🎭 Grace
FitzGibbon Theatre | 6pm–7pm | 🎟 €11.70 (last few tickets) |
Family-friendly play exploring grief and communication through a non-verbal central character.
🍷 WineSpark Spring Tasting
The Dean Cork | 6:30pm–9pm | 🎟 From €52.68 (selling fast) |
Wine tasting event featuring over 50 wines with winemakers in attendance.
📖 Spoken Stories
Triskel Arts Centre | 6:30pm | 🎟 Free (registration required) |
Live RTÉ Radio recording featuring original stories from contemporary Irish writers. Part of Cork World Book Fest 2026.
🏋️ Brotherhood 002 – Test Your Might
Obodo, Douglas | 7pm–8pm | 🎟 €10 |
HYROX-style fitness session focused on strength, endurance and high-intensity training.
😂 Tony Cantwell – You Cry Funny
Cyprus Avenue | 7pm | 🎟 €27.50 |
Stand-up show from Tony Cantwell featuring personal stories, surreal observations and his offbeat comedy style.
🎤 Jack L – Chez Jack L & All The Hits!
Cork Opera House | 8pm | 🎟 €30 |
Live show from multi-platinum Irish artist Jack L, performing highlights from his career.
😂 Reggie’s Farm
The Everyman | 8pm | 🎟 €30 |
Comedy show following Reggie’s attempt at life on a 700-acre farm.
🎤 Shobsy
Coughlan’s | 8pm | 🎟 €15 |
Acoustic show from Irish pop artist Shobsy following recent releases, international performances and a growing global profile.
♟️ Hip Hop & Chess
BRÚ Bar | 8:30pm–12am | 🎟 Free |
Casual chess night with live hip hop DJ sets, open to all levels.
🎧 Sync Or Swim: Lawrence, Charlotte Walsh & Bonz
The Pav | From 10:30pm | 🎟 €6.34 |
Club night with Irish DJs and selectors spanning late-night electronic sets.
Saturday April 25th
📚 CWBF Market on the Grand Parade
Grand Parade | 10am–4pm | 🎟 Free |
Outdoor book market with local sellers, food stalls and family-friendly entertainment.
🎪 South Parish Community Fair
Elizabeth Fort | 10:45am–1pm | 🎟 Free |
Community fair with local groups, live music, and family-friendly activities celebrating learning in the South Parish area.
📖 Roddy Doyle in Conversation – Cork World Book Festival
Triskel Arts Centre | 2pm | 🎟 €15 |
Author Roddy Doyle joins Paul McVeigh for a live conversation as part of the Cork World Book Festival.
🏑 Rebel Weekend – Cork v Limerick Preview Night
Marina Market | 6pm–8pm | 🎟 €27.79 |
Live panel with former players previewing the Cork v Limerick clash.
🎶 Carsie Blanton & The Burning Hell
Cyprus Avenue | 7pm | 🎟 €27.50 (selling fast) |
American singer-songwriter blending folk, indie and political songwriting.
🎼 A Spring Concert – Cork Fleischmann Symphony Orchestra
UCC Aula Maxima | 7:30pm–10pm | 🎟 €27.79 |
Orchestral performance featuring works by Mozart, Beethoven and Fanny Mendelssohn.
🎶 The 4 Of Us
Live at St. Luke’s | 8pm | 🎟 €35.38 |
Live show from the Irish rock band known for decades of songwriting and hits including Mary.
🎶 Nathan Carter
Cork Opera House | 8pm | 🎟 €33.50–€38.50 (selling fast) |
Live show from country singer Nathan Carter featuring a mix of country, folk and pop hits.
😂 Jason Byrne – Head in the Clouds
The Everyman | 8pm | 🎟 €36 |
Stand-up show from the Irish comedian known for his high-energy, improvisational style.
🎶 Rónán Ó Snodaigh & Myles O’Reilly
The White Horse, Ballincollig | 8:30pm | 🎟 From €24.54 |
Live performance blending Irish language, folk and ambient soundscapes from the Kíla member and filmmaker duo.
🎸 Foo’s Gold – Foo Fighters Tribute
Fred Zeppelins | 9pm | 🎟 €11.70 |
Live tribute band performing hits from across the Foo Fighters catalogue.
🎧 Hotboxx Techno Cage Rave
The Pav | 10pm | 🎟 €9.70 |
360° boiler room-style techno rave with DJs performing inside a central cage setup.
Sunday April 26th
🧘 REWILDING – Primal Breathwork Experience
Marina Market | 10am–12pm | 🎟 From €54.60 |
Immersive breathwork session with silent disco headsets, live DJ and guided movement.
🎶 Women’s Singing Circle
Maureen’s | 2pm–3:30pm | 🎟 €15 suggested |
Informal group singing session focused on connection and shared experience.
💃 Hamilton Acro & Dance – Night at the Theatre
Cork Opera House | 2pm | 🎟 €29 |
Stage show featuring performances from acro, dance and musical theatre students.
🎬 The Love That Remains
Triskel Arts Centre | 2pm (Sun) + 6pm Mon-Wed | 🎟 €8 |
Contemporary drama exploring relationships, memory and the passage of time. 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
🎬 Actor Insights: The Young Offenders
The Roundy | 6pm–8pm | 🎟 €11.70
Panel discussion with cast members sharing insights on acting, the series and their work.
🎻 Candlelight: Tribute to Adele
UCC Aula Maxima | 7pm | 🎟 From €19.50 |
String quartet performance of Adele’s biggest hits in a candlelit setting inside UCC’s Aula Maxima.
🎶 Greene & Shine and Vickers Vimy
Coughlan’s | 7:30pm | 🎟 €20 |
Folk and Americana double bill featuring Greene & Shine alongside Vickers Vimy on tour.
Monday April 27th
🎭 Beijing Opera Painting
UCC Confucius Institute | Mon Apr 27 | 2pm–4pm | 🎟 Free |
Creative session inspired by traditional opera mask painting. Part of Cork Lifelong Learning Festival.
🎬 Amélie (25th Anniversary)
Triskel Arts Centre | Mon Apr 27 - Wed Apr 29 | 8:10pm | 🎟 €11 |
Classic French film following a waitress who quietly transforms the lives of those around her.
😂 Rebel Comedy Club – Open Mic Night
Franciscan Well | 9pm | 🎟 Free |
Open mic comedy night featuring a mix of new acts and established performers.
Tuesday April 28th
🧹 Cleaning and Greening
Oliver Plunkett Street | 8:30am | 🎟 Free (registration) |
Community clean-up morning with volunteers tackling painting, planting and street tidying, starting with breakfast and a welcome from the Lord Mayor.
🎨 ArtClub – Paint & Sip
Crawford & Co | 7:30pm–9:30pm | 🎟 €42 |
Relaxed painting session with step-by-step guidance, suitable for beginners, with all materials provided.
🌈 Litreacha – Village
Nudes Craft & Cocktail Co. | 8pm (book swap from 6:30pm) | 🎟 Free |
LGBTQ+ friendly storytelling night focused on connection, community, and sharing stories, with a relaxed book swap beforehand.
🎭 Views from a Deckchair
Cork Arts Theatre | Tue Apr 28 – Sat May 2 | 8pm | 🎟 €16 |
Series of ten new short plays staged as part of the annual new writing showcase.
Events For Kids
📖 Story Slam Cork (Ages 13–19)
Triskel Arts Centre | Sat, Apr 25 | 10:30am–12pm | 🎟 Free (registration required) |
Youth event featuring poetry, storytelling and performances as part of Cork World Book Festival.
🌲 Zipit for Teens (Ages 14–17)
Zipit Farran Park | Sat, Apr 25 | 12pm–3pm | 🎟 €10 |
Outdoor adventure session with zip-lining and climbing through forest courses.
🏑 Rebel Family FanZone
Marina Market | Sun, Apr 26 | 11am–5pm | 🎟 From €6.34 |
Family-friendly match screening for Cork vs Limerick with games and activities for younger fans.
🎭 Brats, Bullies and Brilliant Children
The Everyman | Sun, Apr 26 | 2pm & 7pm | 🎟 €26 |
Student production featuring music, dance and storytelling inspired by Roald Dahl’s characters and stories.
Planning Ahead
🎻 Altan
The White Horse, Ballincollig | Sun, May 3 | 8pm | 🎟 From €21.89 (last few tickets) |
Legendary Irish traditional band celebrating 40 years, led by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh.
😂 Neil Delamere – Reinventing the Neil
Ballymaloe Grainstore | 8pm | 🎟 From €37.27 (selling fast) |
New stand-up show from one of Ireland’s best-known comedians with appearances on QI and Live at the Apollo
💪 DMax 7.7
Marina Market | Sat, May 16 | | 🎟 €54.60 (selling fast) |
High-intensity fitness challenge featuring 7 stations over 7-minute intervals, designed for maximum effort across a 1-hour workout.
🎨 Etching Weekend Course
Cork Printmakers | Sat May 23 - Sun May 24 | 10am–5pm | 🎟 €300 (last few tickets) |
Hands-on course exploring traditional etching techniques with participants creating their own series of prints.
Old Cork
This photo shows Dunnes Stores on Patrick Street in the 1960s, with the neighbouring APCK (Association for Promoting Christian Knowledge) bookshop visible to the left.
Dunnes Stores later expanded into the adjoining unit, taking over the former bookshop space, and remains on the same site today
Image attribution: Anthony Barry Photographic Archive
