🔴Cork Circle #01 - What's Happening This Week

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🌇 Cork Sunset Today: 6:18pm
🌇 Last Wednesday: 6:06pm

Hello! There are lots of people in Cork putting on interesting events, performances and projects around the city. Cork Circle is about helping more people know about them.

Maybe something here will encourage you to head along, meet a few new people, and make the city a little more connected.

To start, we’ll focus mostly on events happening around the city, with deals and ideas mixed in along the way, and see where it takes us.

And I’ll be staying away from heavy politics and crime. There’s enough of that in all directions.

Enjoy, and feel free to email me with any events or ideas you think should be included in future editions.

• Follow Cork Circle on Instagram for updates during the week.

A new comedy club launches at Arthur’s Bar, Clancy’s, for up-and-coming comedians from across Cork. Learn more

Felipe Gadelha launches a new Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club in Kanturk, with weekly classes for kids and adults. Learn more

Have a new business opening? Tell us here.

Cork Circle Exclusive: 10% off selected Mahers Coffee products with our code CIRCLE10
Shop Mahers Coffee

🍽 Discover & Dine – Nano Nagle Place
Nano Nagle Place | 🎟 €40 per person (booking required)
Guided tour of the award-winning museum followed by a one-course lunch in the Nano Nagle Place gardens, catered by Good Day Deli.

Running a deal in Cork, online or in-store? Tell us here to be featured on Cork Circle. Free to submit.

An Bord Pleanála refused plans for an eight-court indoor padel centre in Bishopstown at the end of last month. This leaves Cork seriously lacking in available padel courts for the time being.

In the UK, Liverpool is taking a different tack. The computer-generated image above shows the country’s first floating padel courts approved at Liverpool Waters, built directly on dockside platforms.

I wonder whether parts of Cork Docklands could support something similarly creative.

Across the Week

🎭 The Four-Faced Liar
Cork Arts Theatre | Tue–Sat, Mar 3–7 | 8pm | 🎟 €18 (booking required)

Ger FitzGibbon’s ensemble piece brings the voices of Cork city to life under the watch of Shandon’s four faces. An 85-minute night journey through the characters, sounds and stories of the city.

🎬 37th Cork French Film Festival
The Arc Cinema | Mar 2–8 | 🎟 Ticketed (booking advised)

Ireland’s longest-running French film festival returns, now in its 37th edition. You can catch Angelina Jolie in Couture, her first French-speaking role, on Thursday, March 5. My eye would be on Case 137, which is up for eight César Awards. It’s playing on Saturday, March 7th. See the full programme in the link above.

Wednesday March 4th

👕 Clothes Swap
Rebel Reads Bookshop | 7pm–8pm | 🎟 Free
Community clothes exchange. Bring clean items and take home something different.

🏉 BIGGS & ROG On The Fly
The Savoy | 6pm | 🎟 €38.50 (booking required)
Dan Biggar and Ronan O’Gara in conversation ahead of Ireland v Wales. Live interview format.

Thursday March 5th

💼 Stepping Stones to Self-Employment & Beyond
Imperial Hotel | 11am–1pm | 🎟 Free (register)
Talk on supports available for anyone considering starting a business in Cork.

🚈 Mix You Mode: Light Rail for Cork – Opportunities & Plans
Millennium Hall, City Hall | 10:30am–1:30pm | 🎟 Free (register)
Public session on Cork’s proposed light rail and what comes next.

🧠 “How Women ADHD” – Women’s Day Event
5 MacCurtain Street | 7pm | 🎟 €10 (booking required)
International Women’s Day event on ADHD in women with Dr Ailish Kenny and Sophie Longwill.

🎷 115 Jazz Jam Session
115 Café & Wine Bar | 8pm | 🎟 Free
Open-stage jazz night backed by the house band, with guest musicians dropping in. Musicians can bring an instrument and join the player list.

Friday March 6th

🖼 William Blake & James Barry: Kindred Spirits
Cork Public Museum | 12:30pm | 🎟 €10 (booking required)
Dr Michael Waldron explores the connection between William Blake and Cork-born artist James Barry.

🖼 This Is Ireland Exhibition – Opening Reception
LHQ Gallery | 1pm | 🎟 Free
Group exhibition from Crawford Supported Studios featuring 16 artists. Runs Mar 6 to Apr 24.

🎶 Sarah Hickey – ‘Way To Water’ Album Launch
Coughlan’s | 8pm | 🎟 €18.10 (booking required)
Glanmire songwriter Sarah Hickey launches her new album with a full live show.

🎹 Michael McHale – From Vienna to Paris
Triskel Arts Centre | 8pm | 🎟 €20 (booking required)
Solo recital tracing the line from Mozart and Schubert through Brahms to Chopin and Debussy.

🎤 Pat and Faye Shortt – Shortt Stuff
Cork Opera House | 8pm | 🎟 From €31 (booking required)
Father-daughter comedy duo Pat and Faye Shortt bring their sketch show Shortt Stuff to the stage.

Saturday March 7th

📖 The Poet’s Library: Afric McGlinchey
Cork City Library | 11am–1pm | 🎟 Free
“Borrow a poet” workshop with Afric McGlinchey exploring poetry, process and conversation.

🌿 Monthly Body & Mind Reset
Quay Yoga & Meditation | 1pm - 3pm | 🎟 €38.52 (booking required)
First-Saturday session combining cacao, breathwork, journaling and yoga nidra in a small group setting.

🎻 Banbha Quartet – Spring String Quartet Series
Triskel Arts Centre | 1pm | 🎟 €17 (booking required)
Banbha Quartet performs chamber music by women composers from the past three centuries for International Women’s Day.

🕯 Chinese New Year: 1000 Lights for Luck & Prosperity
Shandon Studios | 6pm–10:30pm | 🎟 Free (donation optional)
Public candle-lighting ritual with music and a traditional Buddhist Dharma ceremony.

🎨 Ciúrlionis Tribute: Wine & Paint Night
The Hideout Café | 7pm | 🎟 €27.79 (booking required)
Two-hour guided paint session with wine in a relaxed setting.

🎻 Cork Orchestra: Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2
Cork City Hall | 8pm | 🎟 From €27.79 (booking required)
Cork Concert Orchestra performs Holst, Stanford and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2.

🔊 Shane Johnson (Fish Go Deep) & Tracey K (Live)
The Savoy | 8pm | 🎟 From €17.04
Five-hour set from Shane Johnson, reunited for one night with Tracey K.

🎻 Kilfenora Céilí Band
Cork Opera House | 8pm | 🎟 From €31 (booking required)
The Clare traditional group return with a full-stage production of music, song and dance.

🔊 Remco Beekwilder (NL) – DisTort Series
The Pav | 11pm–2:30am | 🎟 €17.50 (booking advised)
Techno set from the Dutch producer with support from RiaStartha B2B Tiarnol.

Sunday March 8th

🚗 Nevo Driving Experience
Marina Market | 10am–5pm | 🎟 Free (register)
Test drive and compare the latest electric vehicles in one place.

🎙 Eilis O’Connell: Artist Talk
The Glucksman | 12pm | 🎟 €6.34 (booking required)
International Women’s Day talk with sculptor Eilis O’Connell inside her HAPPENSTANCE exhibition.

💃 Introduction to Blues Dancing
Collective Cork | 2pm–4pm | 🎟 €22.42 (booking required)
Beginner-friendly blues dance workshop with no partner or experience needed.

⚽ Ruud Van Nistelrooy – An Evening In Conversation
Cork Opera House | 8pm | 🎟 From €80 (booking required)
Live interview with the former Man United striker.

🎶 The Magic of Motown
The Everyman | 8pm | 🎟 €36 (booking required)
Live show celebrating Motown classics from artists like Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder.

Monday March 9th

🎙 Ó Bhéal Poetry Night – Afric McGlinchey
The Hayloft Bar (Long Valley) | 7:30pm | 🎟 Free
Monthly Ó Bhéal night with guest poet Afric McGlinchey, plus poetry film, five-word challenge and open mic.

🎷 Jazz Improv! (All Players Welcome)
Crane Lane Theatre | 9pm | 🎟 Free
Weekly jazz jam session hosted by Paul Dunlea, open to musicians of all levels.

Tuesday March 10th

🍽 Cork Food Show
Clayton Hotel Silver Springs | 10am–4pm | 🎟 Free (registration required)
Trade-only event for hospitality professionals to meet 65+ food, drink and supplier exhibitors.

🎨 Famous Paintings & Their Hidden Histories: Les Demoiselles d’Avignon
Triskel Arts Centre | 11am | 🎟 €25 (booking required)
Artist and teacher Áine Andrews explores Picasso’s groundbreaking 1907 work.

🎸 Live ’N’ Gigging – Original Music Showcase
Cyprus Avenue | 7pm | 🎟 €12.50 (booking required)
Showcase night supporting emerging artists and original live music.

🎤 Eric Rushton – Innkeeper (Comedy Cavern)
Coughlan’s | 8pm | 🎟 €15 (booking required)
Stand-up from Channel 4 Sean Lock Comedy Award winner Eric Rushton.

Events For Kids This Week

🎵 Toddler Music Time
City Library, Grand Parade | Sat Mar 7 | 11am | 🎟 Free (registration required)
Music session for toddlers and parents with early years music teacher Katie Jacques.

🎻 Seoda na Maidne – Children’s Trad Session
City Library, Grand Parade | Sat Mar 7 | 1pm–2pm | 🎟 Free (registration required)
Traditional Irish music workshop for young musicians aged 9–15.

🍣 Sushi Workshop for Kids
11 Cook Street | Sun Mar 8 | 12pm–2pm | 🎟 €38.52 (booking required)
Hands-on workshop where kids learn to make sushi rice, roll hosomaki and shape onigiri, taking home what they make.

🖍 Children’s Colouring Competition
Tory Top Library | Sun Mar 8 | 2:30pm–3pm | 🎟 Free
Colouring competition for children aged 3–12 with prizes to be won.

🪄 Joe the Magician
Briery Gap, Macroom | Sun Mar 8 | 3pm | 🎟 From €19 (booking required)
Family magic show from RTÉjr’s Joe the Magician with comedy, illusions and audience participation.

Planning Ahead

🎶 Kíla & Paddy Casey – Rock Against Homelessness
Cyprus Avenue | Fri Mar 13 | 7pm | 🎟 €30 (booking required)
Fundraising concert for Focus Ireland featuring Kíla, Paddy Casey and special guest Alky.

🍽 Tiger Balm Club – Ballymaloe Grainstore Food Sessions
Ballymaloe Grainstore | Fri Mar 13 | 7pm | 🎟 €70 (booking required)
Tiger Balm Club hosts a shared-plate dinner at the Grainstore, including a welcome snack and cocktail.

🎶 Breathe – The Pink Floyd Experience
Cork Opera House | Fri Mar 13 | 8pm | 🎟 From €36 (booking required)
Live tribute performance of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon alongside other classic tunes.

🎶 Sunday Times with Donal Dineen
The Savoy | Sat Mar 14 | 7:30pm | 🎟 From €17.04
Two-room night at the newly reopened Savoy with Sunday Times residents in the main room and Donal Dineen in the lounge.

💃 The Kiely Walsh Academy of Dance – Celtic Beats
Cork Opera House | Mon Mar 16 | 7pm | 🎟 From €29 (booking required, last few tickets)
Irish dance showcase featuring performers from the Kiely Walsh Academy.

🎙 Blindboy Podcast – Cork Podcast Festival
Cork Opera House | Thu Mar 26 | 8pm | 🎟 From €33 (booking required)
Live recording of The Blindboy Podcast as part of the Cork Podcast Festival.

Cork City railway crossing the Clontarf Bridge near Albert Quay in 1975, when freight trains still ran through the docklands.

Image attribution: The Carlisle Kid / Cork City railway 1975 - 6 /  CC BY-SA 2.0

The Clontarf Bridge today.

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— Alec