Beamish Cork Folk Festival
An annual event since 1979 the Cork Folk Festival brings a feast of folk events of all kinds to more than 40 venues around the city and county.
There is something for every taste and interest – from set to sean nós dancing, bluegrass to cajun music and singers clubs to singer songwriters. Many of the events are free, a welcome price in recession Ireland which also gets a going over by ‘Folk the Recession’ a band of great musicians who show the two fingers to Ireland’s financial meltdown
Among the other headline acts are ’T with the Maggies’ whose members are some of Ireland’s finest traditional singers including Moya Brennan of Clannad, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill from the Bothy Band, Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill of Skara Brae and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh of Altan.
A concert celebrating the life and work of Sliabh Luachra fiddle player Seamus Creagh includes a virtual who’s who of Irish traditional music and also invites the audience to bring along their instruments and join in – sheet music is available at the festival website.
Grand Parade, in the city centre, will be the place to be on October 2nd for the Céilí Mór, a huge open air dance event where anyone can join in and dance to music will be provided by the Kilfenora Céilí Band as well as Cherish the Ladies, Jackie Daly, Matt Cranitch & Paul de Grae. Over 10,000 dancers will be there – a real spectacle for sure.
There will be a parade including pipe bands and an open air food market held alongside the Céilí Mór.
Event Information and Map
Tickets for events which are not free of charge are available on the website. Some free events may require prebooking, so check that out in advance.
Main events take place in the locations marked below, but there will be plenty going on in many other venues in the city.
A. An Spailpin Fanach
B. Rearden’s Bar
C. Triskel Christchurch
D. The Pavilion
E. Grand Parade
