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🌇 Cork Sunset Today: 9:06pm
🌇 Last Wednesday: 8:55pm
Welcome everyone! Cork Fringe is the big one this week, with theatre, comedy, cabaret, spoken word and a few stranger things happening across the city.
I’ve also added a couple of Cork Airport flight deals below. Reply and let me know if they’re useful, and I’ll know whether to keep an eye out for more.
Enjoy the week!
• Follow Cork Circle on Instagram for updates during the week.
Cork Artist Callout
I’m looking to collaborate with a Cork-based print artist or illustrator on something for Cork Circle.
Know someone whose work deserves more attention? Send them my way by replying to this email or message Cork Circle on Instagram.
Discounts & Deals
Cork Circle Exclusive: 10% off Mahers Coffee products with our code CIRCLE10
Shop Mahers Coffee
✈️ Cork Airport flight deals found this week
Barcelona - €84 (Save ~€85)* | 📅 May 18–25 | View fare
Milan - €87 (Save ~€140)* | 📅 Jun 14–21 | View fare
*Savings are calculated against the lowest end of Google Flights’ typical price range.
Building Tools For Cork
Based on last week’s poll, there was a clear yes for a recurring events page, so I’m going to go ahead and build it.
The plan is to make it filterable, covering regular Cork events like trad, yoga, and quizzes.
Next week’s newsletter will also include the Cork gym comparison site, ready for you to try and give feedback on.
What’s On This Week
Across the Week
🎭 The House Must Win
The Everyman | Wed May 6–16 | 🎟 From €11 |
New musical drama by Mick Flannery starring Tommy Tiernan, following a gritty story of family, survival and high-stakes choices.
🎨 Cork Fringe Festival
Cork City | May 8–10 | 🎟 Ticketed |
Multi-disciplinary arts festival showcasing emerging and experimental work across venues in Cork City.
Wednesday May 6th
👕 Clothes Swap at Rebel Reads Bookshop
Marina Commercial Park | 7pm | 🎟 €5 |
Monthly clothes swap where you can bring up to 5 items and exchange them for pre-loved pieces.
🎩 Secret Show – Live Magic
Kino Events House | 7pm | 🎟 €27.79 |
One-night-only magic show blending illusion and performance in an intimate setting.
😂 Comedic Murder
Clancy’s | Wed May 6th | 8:30pm | 🎟 €11.69 |
Stand-up comedy night featuring a lineup of fast-paced Irish comedians.
Thursday May 7th
📚 An Evening with John Connolly
Cork City Library | 6:30pm | 🎟 Free |
Talk and discussion with the bestselling author on his new Charlie Parker thriller A River Red With Blood.
🎶 Gemma Hayes
The White Horse, Ballincollig | 8pm | 🎟 From €27.19 |
Live full-band show celebrating 25 years in music, featuring her Mercury Prize-nominated debut album Night on My Side.
🎙️ Doireann Garrihy – The Laughs Of Your Life Live!
The Everyman | 8pm | 🎟 €45 (selling fast) |
Live podcast show from the popular broadcaster, featuring stories, conversations and audience interaction.
🎶 The Guilteens, Jean Pack & Therapy Horse
The Savoy | 8pm | 🎟 €17.04 |
Live gig featuring three emerging Cork acts spanning rock, shoegaze and experimental sound.
Friday May 8th
🎭 Cork Fringe Welcome Celebration and Artists Afternoon
The Everyman | 3pm–5pm | 🎟 Free |
Informal networking event bringing together artists, programmers and the wider arts community to open Cork Fringe 2026.
😂 Eryn Tett
The Roundy | May 8+10 (Fri 6:45pm; Sun 8:30pm) | 🎟 €12.50 |
Comedy show combining offbeat humour, physical performance and audience interaction as part of Cork Fringe Festival.
🎶 Leevy + Smithereens + Hánt
Cyprus Avenue | 7pm | 🎟 €16.50 |
Three emerging Cork acts perform a mixed lineup of energetic live music ranging from folk-punk to indie and stripped-back acoustic sets.
🎶 An Evening With Seán Keane
St Colman's Cathedral, Cobh | 7:30pm | 🎟 €27.79 (selling fast) |
Live performance from Seán Keane featuring traditional Irish folk, blues and country in a cathedral setting.
🔥 Soul Sisters BBQ
Grace Christian Church | 7:30pm | 🎟 €10 |
Outdoor BBQ event for women featuring food, socialising and a relaxed community setting.
🎭 The History of Art: A Clown Show
Firkin Crane | Fri+Sun, May 8+10 (Fri 5pm; Sun 3:30pm) | 🎟 €12.50 |
Clown performance exploring art history through visual storytelling, props and audience interaction as part of Cork Fringe Festival.
🎶 Fixity with Strings
The Savoy | 8:30pm | 🎟 €22.43 |
Live album launch performance from Dan Walsh featuring an expanded ensemble with string arrangements.
😂 Thomas Green
The White Horse | 8:30pm | 🎟 €25 (selling fast) |
Stand-up comedy show from Australian comedian Thomas Green with MC Chris Kent and support act Mike Morgan.
🎭 Hell Night
The Pav | 9pm | 🎟 €12.50 |
Immersive performance blending theatre, music and burlesque elements in a dark comedic story set in a fictional version of hell.
🎭 SeeThrough
Maureen’s | Fri–Sun, May 8–10 (12am nightly) | 🎟 €12.50 |
Immersive performance in total darkness using sound and storytelling to explore contrasting lived experiences.
Saturday May 9th
🚶 Darkness Into Light
Multiple locations | 4:15am | 🎟 €22 |
Early morning walk taking place across Cork to raise awareness and support for mental health.
🎵 Cork Vinyl Tour
Wilton SMA Hall | 11am–4:30pm | 🎟 Free |
Record fair featuring vinyl, CDs and box sets across a wide range of music genres. The same tour will be in Midleton GAA hall on Sunday May 10th.
🎷 John Moriarty & Randy Ingram Quartet
Triskel Arts Centre | 1pm | 🎟 €16–€18 |
Lunchtime jazz concert featuring guitar and piano-led quartet performing original compositions and standards.
🎭 Cork Liminal
Elizabeth Fort | May 8th–9th (Fri 1pm; Sat 2pm) | 🎟 €12.50 |
Interactive roaming performance across the city combining puzzle-solving, storytelling and audience participation (18+).
🎭 The Pigeon Factory
The Granary Theatre | May 9th–10th (Sat 1pm; Sun 6pm) | 🎟 €12.50 |
Dark one-man theatre show exploring work, family and identity.
🎧 House Nostalgia Daytime Party
Sky Bar Cork | 4:30pm | 🎟 €11.70 |
Daytime club event featuring DJs playing classic house tracks.
🎧 Theo Parrish (DJ Set) + Sound Signature Label Showcase
The Savoy | 5pm–1am | 🎟 €35–€42.50 |
Extended DJ set from Theo Parrish alongside a lineup of live acts and DJs blending house, jazz, soul and experimental sounds.
🎭 The Girls Room
CTC Studio | May 9th–10th (Sat 6pm; Sun 2pm) | 🎟 €12.50 |
One-woman theatre show exploring themes of growing up, identity and womanhood through humour and personal storytelling.
😂 John Spillane Comedian
Elizabeth Fort | 5pm | 🎟 €12.50 |
Stand-up show from award-winning comedian John Spillane, known for appearances on RTÉ, Comedy Central and a 2025 Dublin Fringe Award winner.
🎶 Fringe X: The 3 B’s
Forde’s Bar | 6pm | 🎟 Free |
Evening event featuring traditional music, local food tasting and Beamish in a pub setting as part of Cork Fringe Festival.
🎤 Fringe X: Grapevvine
ActorsVision | Fri–Sat, May 9–10 | 7pm | 🎟 €17 |
Live event featuring spoken word, storytelling, comedy and performance from Irish artists.
🎭 Joe Corbett – A Celebration
Cork Opera House | 8pm | 🎟 €35 |
Tribute concert featuring singers and choirs celebrating the life and work of Cork-born baritone Joe Corbett.
🎶 Kíla 4
The Richmond Revival | 8pm | 🎟 €27.50 |
Live performance from Kíla as a four-piece, blending traditional Irish music with global influences and multi-instrumental arrangements.
🎶 Dermot Henry
Wavelength Rooftop Bar | 8pm | 🎟 Free |
Live performance from singer-songwriter Dermot Henry featuring original songs with a folk and acoustic style.
🎶 GIRLFRIEND year of the horse tour
Dali | 9pm | 🎟 €13.85 |
Live music show featuring GIRLFRIEND alongside supporting acts at Dali.
🎧 HOTBOXX: The Techno Cage Rave
The Pav | 10pm–2:30am | 🎟 From €9.55 |
Techno rave featuring a 360° dancefloor setup with DJs performing inside a central cage.
🎧 Silent Disco
Wavelength Rooftop Bar | 11pm–2:30am | 🎟 €8.80–€11 |
Late-night silent disco event with multiple music channels played through wireless headphones.
Sunday May 10th
🧘 PilatesxZumba
Marina Market | 10am | 🎟 €25 |
Fitness session combining Pilates and Zumba in a guided two-part class.
🎨 Fringe X: Sketch & Chat
Test Site, Kyrl's Quay | 1pm | 🎟 €12.50 |
Creative outdoor workshop exploring nature through drawing, zine-making and interactive discussion as part of Cork Fringe Festival.
🚶 Doing Pana
Daunt Square | 2:30pm | 🎟 Free |
Guided social walk along St Patrick’s Street exploring the history and tradition of “Doing Pana” in Cork city.
🎶 Donovan
Sea Church | 3pm | 🎟 €40 |
Live concert from singer-songwriter Donovan celebrating his music with a focus on Gaelic-influenced material.
🎭 All My Friends Are in Australia
CTC Studio | May 9–10 (Sat 3:30pm; Sun 6pm) | 🎟 €12.50 |
Immersive theatre piece exploring friendship and emigration through interactive performance elements.
🎭 Lady on the Rock
Cork Arts Theatre | 4pm | 🎟 €12.50 |
Dark tragicomic theatre piece exploring loneliness and relationships through a surreal narrative.
🎭 Molly O Locke’s Midnight Hour: A Cabaret
The Pav | 6:30pm | 🎟 €12.50 |
Cabaret-style theatre show combining music, drag, comedy and horror with a narrative set in a fictional travelling club.
🎶 The Leon Stax Equation
Coughlan’s | 7:30pm | 🎟 €17 |
Album launch show for In View with live performance from The Leon Stax Equation and support from Blissín.
Monday May 11th
🎭 Rebel City Drama Club
The Haven Cafe | 7:30pm–9:30pm | 🎟 €5 |
Drama and improv meetup welcoming performers, writers and beginners for group activities and discussion.
🎶 Stories and Songs – Singer-Songwriter Performances
The Roundy | 7:30pm | 🎟 Free |
Acoustic live music event featuring local singer-songwriters with an open mic segment for audience participation.
🧠 Monday Night Table Quiz
An Bróg | 9pm | 🎟 Free |
Weekly pub quiz hosted by DJ Colm with general knowledge rounds and prizes.
Tuesday May 12th
☕ Breakfast & Business with Cork Local Enterprise Office
Republic of Work | Tue May 12 | 8am–9:30am | 🎟 Free |
Morning networking session for SMEs and business owners hosted in partnership with Cork Local Enterprise Office.
📖 Farmgate Café National Poetry Award
The Farmgate Café | 6:30pm | 🎟 Free (last few tickets) |
Award ceremony with a reading from the winning poet as part of the Cork International Poetry Festival.
😂 The People's Picturehouse | Live Comedy Special
The Roundy | 7pm | 🎟 €5–€10 |
Comedy night combining stand-up sets with short film and sketch screenings from local performers.
😂 Improv Thingimabob
Cork Arts Theatre | 8pm | 🎟 €12.50–€15 |
Improvised comedy show featuring sketches and a live soap-style storyline created from audience suggestions.
🎶 Elle Coves
Coughlan’s | 8pm | 🎟 Ticketed |
Live performance from singer-songwriter Elle Coves featuring original pop and indie material.
Events For Kids
🧸 The Toy Library Swap & Play
Mahon Community Centre | Sun, May 10 | 11am–2pm | 🎟 Free |
Family event featuring toy swapping, play areas and creative activities.
💃 Dance Offering 2026
Cork Opera House | Sun, May 10 | 5pm | 🎟 €28–€32 |
Dance showcase featuring performances in ballet, modern and jazz, including routines inspired by K-pop and Taylor Swift.
👶 Mini Melodies Cork Classes
Piccolo Play Village | Tue, May 12 | 10:30am | 🎟 €60 |
Baby music and sensory play class designed for children aged 3 to 13 months.
Planning Ahead
⛵ Make a Model Boat 2026
The Lough | Mon, May 18 | 6:30pm | 🎟 Free |
Family boat-building event using recycled materials, with registrations closing on May 11th.
😂 Chris Kent & Guests
City Limits Comedy Club | Sat, May 23 | 7:30pm | 🎟 €29.93 (last few tickets) |
Stand-up comedy night headlined by Chris Kent with a lineup of guest comedians.
🎶 Alex Ubago
Cyprus Avenue | Mon, June 8 | 7:30pm | 🎟 From €38.52 |
Live concert from Spanish singer-songwriter Alex Ubago celebrating the 25th anniversary of his debut album.
😂 Joanne McNally – Pinotphile
Cork Opera House | Fri Aug 28 - Sat Aug 29 | 8pm | 🎟 €45.90 (last few tickets) |
Stand-up comedy show from Joanne McNally exploring relationships and modern life in her latest tour.
Old Cork
The old Capitol Cinema on Grand Parade in the 1960s. The cinema remained on the site until it closed in 2005, before redevelopment into retail and office space followed in 2017.
Image attribution: Anthony Barry Photographic Archive
