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🌇 Cork Sunset Today: 9:28pm
🌇 Last Wednesday: 9:17pm
Welcome back! This week’s picks stretch right across Cork, with festivals in Schull and Baltimore, concerts in Ballycotton, and a full mix of city events.
The Old Head lighthouse tour in Kinsale stands out as something different to check out this weekend.
But first, make sure you enter your details below to win our exclusive Kinsale Filmmaker Series giveaway!
• Follow Cork Circle on Instagram for updates during the week.
Win 2 Free Tickets to Saipan + Q&A with actor Éanna Hardwicke
We have 2 free tickets to give away for Saipan at the Kinsale Film Series this Friday, May 22nd at 7pm.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with lead actor Éanna Hardwicke, who plays Roy Keane in the film.
To enter, just add your details in the form linked below.
Follow Cork Circle on Instagram to get a second entry in the draw.
Add your Instagram handle in the form so we can count your bonus entry.
Winner will be contacted tomorrow, Thursday at 6pm.
Discounts & Deals
Cork Circle Exclusive: 10% off Mahers Coffee products with our code CIRCLE10
Shop Mahers Coffee
✈️ Cork Airport Flight Deals Found This Week
Valencia - €100 (usually €190+)* | 📅 Aug 21–28 | View fare →
Alicante - €101 (usually €200+)* | 📅 Aug 20–27 | View fare →
*“Usually” means the lowest typical fare Google Flights shows for similar trips that month.
Building Tools For Cork
Thanks to everyone who checked out the new gymcork.ie comparison site last week and sent in feedback, corrections and missing details.
I’ll keep updating and improving the site over the next few weeks, so if you notice anything that looks wrong or incomplete, please keep sending it through.
What’s On This Week
Across the Week
🎬 Fastnet Film Festival
Schull, West Cork | May 20–24 | 🎟 Various prices |
West Cork film festival showcasing Irish and international cinema with screenings, workshops, panel talks, live music and family events across Schull.
Wednesday May 20th
🧪 Pints and Particles
The Liberty Bar |7pm–9pm | 🎟 Free (registration required) |
Physics talks exploring superconductors, quantum experiments and next-generation materials science.
🧠 Babies Blooming: How Newborns’ Hearts and Brains Develop
Mr Bradley’s Pub | 7pm–9pm | 🎟 Free (registration required) |
Science talk exploring newborn brain development, birth adaptation and early-life health research.
🍑 Jenny Keane: The Orgasm Tour
The Everyman | 8pm | 🎟 €66.50 |
Sex educator Jenny Keane brings a live show blending comedy, performances in an adults-only event.
🎭 Patient:Soldier
Cork Arts Theatre | Wed May 20– Fri May 23, 8pm | 🎟 €18–€20 |
Dark comedy-drama following an Irishman’s experience inside an overwhelmed hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thursday May 21st
🤖 TechFest 2026: AI, Technology & The Future
Rochestown Park Hotel | 9am–3:30pm | 🎟 From €255.38 |
Technology conference featuring talks, panels and networking focused on AI, cybersecurity, regulation and emerging tech.
📚 Book Launch: Said the Dead by Doireann Ní Ghríofa
Waterstones Cork | 6:30pm–8pm | Free |
Waterstones hosts the launch of Doireann Ní Ghríofa’s new novel set around a derelict Victorian mental hospital in Cork.
💘 PITCH-A-FRIEND Cork
Moxy Cork | 6:30pm–8:30pm | 🎟 From €6.34 |
Singles social event where friends pitch their single pals through short presentations, games and matchmaking-style chats.
🎂 SIP & FROST
Aye | 7pm–9pm | 🎟 €65 |
Beginner-friendly cake decorating workshop covering piping and buttercream techniques.
🎶 Mark Geary
Coughlan’s | 7:30pm | 🎟 €20 |
Irish singer-songwriter Mark Geary performs songs blending folk, rock and reflective storytelling.
🎩 Steve Spade – Elements of Magic
Sea Church, Ballycotton | Thu May 21, 8pm | 🎟 €22 |
Illusionist Steve Spade brings a live magic show featuring escapology, mentalism, hypnosis and large-scale illusions.
🌍 Africa Day 2026 – Afro Beats Night
The Kino | 8pm | 🎟 Free |
Africa Day celebration featuring Malol Black, Craic Mob and Stevie G.
🎬 Stand By Me – 40th Anniversary Screening
Triskel Arts Centre | 8:30pm | 🎟 €11 |
Anniversary screening of Rob Reiner’s classic following four boys on a life-changing journey.
Friday May 22nd
⛵ Baltimore Wooden Boat Festival
Baltimore | Fri May 22– Sun May 24 | 🎟 Free entry |
Weekend festival celebrating traditional wooden boats with sailing events, seafood stalls, live music and family activities.
🌿 Mallow Home and Garden Festival 2026
Cork Racecourse, Mallow | Fri May 22– Sun May 24, 11am–6pm | 🎟 €22.42 |
Long-running home and garden festival featuring show gardens, exhibitors, expert talks, family activities and live entertainment.
🎨 Nature Then & Now: Drawing Walk Along the Lee
Fitzgerald Park | 11am | 🎟 Free |
Relaxed guided drawing walk for adults aged 50+ exploring Fitzgerald’s Park and the River Lee through sketching and observation.
🎹 Cork PianoFest 2026: Aimez-vous Brahms?
Triskel Arts Centre | 1pm | 🎟 €10–€12 |
Piano recital featuring works by Brahms, Chopin, Schumann, Liszt and Debussy performed by musicians from MTU Cork School of Music.
💃 SHAKE IT WITH OTI
Courtbrack Community Centre | 7pm–9pm | 🎟 £60.29 |
Dance event featuring hip hop and Latin classes plus a live Q&A with dancer Oti Mabuse.
🎶 Tulca
Cyprus Avenue | Doors 7pm | 🎟 €8 |
Emerging Irish act Tulca bring harmony-led folk and atmospheric storytelling to Cyprus Avenue following a sold-out Cork debut.
🎬 Kinsale Film Series – Saipan
Kinsale Community School | Fri 22 May, 7pm | 🎟 €17.07 |
Screening of Saipan followed by a Q&A with lead actor Éanna Hardwicke.
🎶 Susan O’Neill
Sea Church, Ballycotton | 8pm | 🎟 €25 |
Irish singer-songwriter Susan O’Neill performs songs blending folk, blues and soul from her latest solo album Now in a Minute.
🎶 Stanley Super 800
The Savoy | 8:30pm | 🎟 €17.04 |
Cork electronic indie-folk band Stanley Super 800 return with a live show blending synths, indie rock and traditional Irish influences.
🎶 Baliza en Cork
Kino Events House | 8:30pm–11:30pm | 🎟 From €11.70 |
Spanish music and dance night bringing Latin party vibes and live entertainment.
🎧 BL3SS
Cyprus Avenue | 11pm–2:30am | 🎟 €16.50–€22 |
UK DJ and producer BL3SS brings a late-night dance set blending high-energy club tracks with ‘90s-inspired electronic sounds.
Saturday May 23rd
🌊 Old Head Lighthouse Open Weekend
Old Head of Kinsale | Sat May 23–Sun May 24 | 9:30am–5pm | 🎟 €15 adults / €40 family |
Rare public access weekend to the Old Head Lighthouse with shuttle buses, museum entry and coastal views.
🌿 Your Best Life
Marina Market | 10am–6pm | 🎟 €40 |
Wellness festival featuring fitness classes, health talks, wellness brands and special guest Vogue Williams.
👕 Clothes Swap at St. Peter’s Cork
St. Peter’s, North Main St | 11am–2:00pm | 🎟 €5 |
Monthly community clothes swap where attendees exchange up to five pre-loved clothing items.
🎸 MADHOUSE presents Guns Reloaded & Feckin’ Ragin
The Pav | 6pm–11:30pm | 🎟 €20.28 |
Tribute night featuring live performances celebrating Guns N’ Roses and Rage Against The Machine
🎶 George Michael Tribute – The Essential Collection
Cyprus Avenue | 7pm–10:30pm | 🎟 €24.76 |
Live tribute show celebrating the music of George Michael and Wham! with a full band performance of classic hits.
🎧 Daft Punk Tribute
Seachurch, Ballycotton | 8pm–10:30pm | 🎟 €20 |
Tribute DJ show recreating Daft Punk’s live experience with iconic helmets, visuals and dancefloor classics.
🎭 SHARD by Stewart Roche
Aghada Hall, Midleton | Sat May 23, 8pm | 🎟 €24.57 |
One-man folk horror performance exploring guilt, folklore and survival through Irish storytelling.
😂 David Nihill: Taking Tangents
The Everyman | 8pm | 🎟 From €33 |
Irish comedian David Nihill returns with a stand-up show inspired by travel, cultural observations and life abroad
Sunday May 24th
🏋️ Some Sprint at obodo
obodo gym | 9am–12pm | 🎟 €43.87 per team |
Pairs fitness challenge featuring rowing, cycling, shuttle runs and burpees across timed workout stations.
📚 Ireland’s Tiniest Book Festival
Leaf & Bower, Ballincollig | 11am | 🎟 From €6.34 |
Day-long mini book festival featuring readings, storytelling, workshops and live literary events for all ages.
🎬 Once Upon a Time in a Cinema
Triskel Arts Centre | Sun May 24, 2pm + Mon-Wed May 25-27, 7:30pm | 🎟 €11 |
Irish drama set in a 1980s Limerick cinema following one eventful night of change, memory and uncertainty.
🎶 Niall Connolly – ‘There’s So Much More To See’ Album Release
Coughlan’s | 3:30pm + 7:30pm | 🎟 €20 |
Album launch show from indie-folk songwriter Niall Connolly featuring guest performer Jamie Nolan.
🎭 Drama and Improv Comedy Workshop
South Parish Community Centre | 5:15pm–7pm | 🎟 From €9.01 |
Beginner-friendly improv and drama workshop using games and spontaneous storytelling to build confidence and creativity.
🎶 MusiCórum: Women in Music
Honan Chapel | 7pm–8pm | 🎟 €15 |
Chamber choir concert celebrating music by female composers from Clara Schumann to contemporary Irish composer Lucy Walker.
🎛️ Simon Whetham / Phil Maguire
plugd records | 7pm–10pm | 🎟 €11.70 |
Experimental sound performance using shortwave radio, obsolete electronics and improvised modular synthesis.
🏳️🌈 Gaylí
The Pav | 7:30pm | 🎟 €10 |
Queer beginner-friendly céilí night with traditional tunes, dancing and community vibes at The Pav.
Monday May 25th
📚 In Conversation: Hala Alyan – I’ll Tell You When I’m Home
Cork City Library | 6pm–7pm | 🎟 Free (registration required) |
Pulitzer Prize-finalist Hala Alyan discusses motherhood, identity and storytelling in conversation with poet Keith Payne.
🎭 Rebel City Drama Club
The Haven Cafe | 7:30pm–9:30pm | 🎟 €5 cash |
Casual drama and improv meet-up for performers, writers and beginners interested in theatre and storytelling.
Tuesday May 26th
🎭 DIVA
Cork Arts Theatre | Tues May 26–Sat May 20 | 8pm | 🎟 €20 |
Dark comedy following a successful wedding band manager forced to confront her past during a chaotic hometown wedding.
😂 Comedy Cavern: Eve Darcy and Guests
Coughlan’s | 8:30pm | 🎟 Free (pay what you want) |
Comedy night featuring stand-up sets from emerging Irish comedians and guest performers.
Kids Events
🧗 MI Grassroots 2026 – PopUpComp 1
Awesome Walls Cork | Sat May 23 | 10am–6pm | 🎟 Free entry |
Beginner-friendly youth top rope climbing competition focused on social climbing and skill development.
🎨 Passage of Time – A Spring Experience
Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh | Sat May 23 | 11am–2pm | 🎟 €27.79 |
Creative workshop for children aged 5–10 exploring past, present and future through art activities and a time capsule project.
🎨 Creative Kids Arts and Crafts Workshop
Leaf & Bower Bookshop, Ballincollig | Sun 24 May, 11am | 🎟 €6.34 |
Children’s storytelling and arts workshop led by art teacher Declan O’Meara as part of Ireland’s Tiniest Book Festival.
🐷 Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show
Cork Opera House | Tues+Wed, May 26–27, various times | 🎟 €18–€21 |
Peppa Pig and friends return in a family stage show with songs and theatre fun for younger audiences.
Planning Ahead
💰 Lap The Lough
The Lough | Mon Jun 1, 11am–1pm | 🎟 Donation-based |
Community fundraiser aiming to circle The Lough with €1 and €2 coins in aid of Cork City Hospitals Children’s Club.
🏃 Challenge 21 Half Marathon 2026
Haulbowline Island → Páirc Uí Chaoimh | Sun Jun 14, 10am | 🎟 €21–€50 (last few tickets) |
Charity half marathon supporting Down Syndrome Centre Cork with walk, jog and run options for all abilities.
🌿 Health Matters
Fota Island Resort | Sun Jun 14, 9:30am–4pm | 🎟 €22.42 (selling fast) |
Charity wellness event featuring expert talks on nutrition, gut health, sleep and holistic wellbeing alongside wellness exhibitors and therapies.
👨👧 Pints & Ponytails with KiwiCutz
Seventy Seven | Sun 28 Jun, 2pm | 🎟 €33.15 |
Hands-on workshop teaching dads simple ponytails, braids and everyday hair styling techniques.
Old Cork
A late-1960s view looking up Academy Street toward St. Patrick's Street, featuring the prominent storefront of Thomas Barry & Co. Ltd Auctioneers.
Image attribution: Anthony Barry Photographic Archive
