West Cork Festivals
West Cork is abundant with festivals and events throughout the year to suit everyone’s tastes. Why not visit us during these festivals and soak up the local atmosphere. Below are just some of the festivals and events that take place during the year. Please note dates will change slightly each year. Some dates have not yet been confirmed for 2012.
March
West Cork Drama Festival Rossmore 9th – 19th March 2012
The 51st West Cork Drama Festival raises its curtain on Friday March 9th with Conna Dramatic Society’s production of “Dancing at Lughnasa”. St Mary’s Hall, Rossmore is the venue for the feast of drama which will be staged over the eleven day festival. All plays start at 8pm except for the final night which starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are €10 each and can be booked by calling the festival office on (023) 8838526.
http://www.westcorkdramafestival.com
West Cork Rally 17th – 18th March 2012
The 2012 Quality Hotels West Cork Rally will take place on St Patrick’s Weekend, March 17 and 18. Usual format, with stages on the Saturday and the Sunday and centralised service after every two stages.
www.westcorkrally.com
June
Festival By The Sea Rosscarbery 31st May – 4th June 2012
This annual event takes place over the June Bank Holiday Weekend. It is a family orientated four day festival featuring music from FRED and Aslan and loads of activities to entertain both young and old. Children activities include disco, puppet show, face painting and bouncy castles. The full programme of events can be downloaded by clicking on the link.
Rosscarbery Festival by the Sea
West Cork Garden Trail 9th – 24th June 2012
This annual event, a highlight of the Irish gardening year, gives an opportunity to view the beautiful and diverse gardens of West Cork. While many of the gardens are open to visitors throughout the summer, there are some open to the public only during the Garden Trail – don’t miss your chance to see them! Some of the fees taken during the West Cork Garden Trail go to charity.
www.westcorkweek.com/gardentrail/
West Cork Chamber Music Festival Bantry 29th June – 7th July 2012
Listen to world-class chamber music from morning to night in the intimate library of historic Bantry House and the town’s two beautiful churches, St Brendan’s and St Finbarr’s.
www.westcorkmusic.ie
July
West Cork Literary Festival Bantry 8th – 14th July 2012
Features workshops, readings, seminars, book launches and other events from the work of new, well-established, and even writers who have gone before.
www.westcorkliteraryfestival.ie
South of Ireland Band Championships Clonakilty 5th – 7th July 2012
32nd Annual South of Ireland Band Championships at Clonakilty Community Hall and on the streets. Complimentary day of music and fun for all the family.
www.clonakilty.ie
Kinsale Arts Week 7th – 15th July 2012
Summer Arts Festival, Cork. Visual art, music, architecture, comedy, theatre, literature & free family fun.
www.kinsaleartsweek.com
Skibbereen Childrens Festival 18th – 25th July TBC
Fun filled festival for all children. Activities include arts and crafts, Irish dancing, painting, outdoor activities, flower arranging, baking, photography, and much more. Family Day Sunday 25th July.
www.skibbereen.ie
Skibbereen Arts Festival 28th July – 4th August 2012
Skibbereen once again pays homage to the vibrant fabric of our community that is the arts with many world-class national and international acts coming to town. There are many free events also taking place.
www.skibbereenartsfestival.com
Festival of the Bard, Lisavaird 19th – 24th July TBC
There is a great programme of activities to cater for all ages. One of the highlights of the week will be the Joan Cashman, Colour and Image Academy, which will be held in the community hall on Tuesday July 19th. This year’s festival will also include Beat-on-the-Street for the youngsters on Friday July 22nd, and some novelty events including ‘ball rolling’ on Sunday 25th. For full programme of events see The Southern Star newspaper.
Clonakilty Waterfront Festival 2nd – 5th August 2012
Superb line up for a fun packed August Bank Holiday weekend. Flavours of West Cork, Tribute night, Full Moon Party, Sunday Sounds and lots more.
www.clonfest.ie
Courtmacsherry Harbour Festival 29th July – 7th August TBC
Family friendly festival full of events and visual displays. The highlight of the week is regatta day.
www.courtmacsherry.ie
August
West Cork Fit-up Theatre Festival 2nd – 28th August TBC
Blood in the Alley Theatre Company in association with the Arts Office of Cork County Council is delighted to bring four productions to seven venues in West Cork over the month of August. This Festival revives the tradition of professional theatre companies touring shows to small rural towns and villages.
www.westcorkfit-upfestival.com
Rosscarbery Family Festival 10th – 19th August 2012
Rosscarbery comes alive with locals and tourists alike, turning out and gathering in the square to enjoy the many street activities and entertainment which are provided over our ten day community run festival. Highlights include the Rag Parade, Sandcastle Competition on Warren Beach, pig, mouse and duck racing. Full festival programme coming soon!
http://www.rosscarbery.ie or follow the festival on Facebook
Masters of Tradition Bantry 9th – 14th August TBC
Unique Irish Traditional Music Festival headlined by Martin Hayes, the fiddler from East Clare, whose distinctive touch and extravagant virtuosity has brought the tradition to new levels.
www.westcorkmusic.ie
National Heritage Week 20th – 28th August TBC
There’s lots of fun in store for you during National Heritage Week. Check out the website for what’s happening in Cork and West Cork. From medieval fairs, night time bat walks, classical music, poetry, theatre, traditional music, storytelling, historical re-enactments, local history walks and talks, maritime and coastal events, food fairs, traditional skills workshops and archaeological digs. There’s something for everyone and most events are free!
www.heritageweek.ie
Rosscarbery Horse Fair 29th August 2012
A step back in time, Rosscarbery Horse Fair is an event that has taken place for generations. Experience street trading, stalls, music and festive fun for all the family.
September
Cape Clear Storytelling Festival 2nd – 4th September TBC
Basking in the natural beauty of this island off the South West coast of Ireland, the festival celebrates the richness of local and international folklore, while drawing attention to the uniqueness of Cape’s flora and fauna.
www.capeclearstorytelling.com
A Taste of West Cork Food Festival 10th – 16th September 2012
Brings together an unique mix of food markets and demonstrations, cookery competitions, special dinners, brunches & banquets, food-tastings, talks, exhibitions, childrens’ events, guided walks, boat tours and some great live music!
www.atasteofwestcork.com
Clonakilty Internation Guitar Festival 20th - 23rd September 2012
Artists featured include Roy Harper, Gary Lucas, Honkeyfinger, West Cork Ukulele Orchestra and much more. The Clonakilty International Guitar Festival are proud to present a programme of workshops, masterclasses and seminars from some of the world’s best performers and experts, giving us mere mortals a glimpse of the methods and techniques which make them so successful.
www.clonguitarfest.com
October
West Cork Music Autumn Concert Series
Enjoy a series of concerts in different locations in West Cork from October to November.
www.westcorkmusic.ie
December
Clonakilty Marathon 10th December TBC
Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon takes place on the 10th December. This is the second year of the event. With a mix of three courses, Full Marathon, Half Marathon and Mini-Marathon – it is a new fixture on the Irish running calendar. The Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon races will hit the scenic roadways, byways and beach routes of this bustling West Cork town and region, creating a heady and healthily challenging mix at a seasonally quiet time of year for the sport.
www.runclon.ie
Click here
