Cork Folk Festival launched by city's lord mayor 

This year's event will feature a mix of talent from Cork and further afield 

William Hammond, festival organiser, and festival chairman Jim Walsh at the launch of 44th Cork Folk Festival, at St Peter’s Church, North Main Street.Picture: David Keane

With Safe Harbour out of the way, music fans on Leeside switch attention to the second big event of a busy festival season, as Cork Folk Festival looms on the horizon. Running from September 27 to October 1, the 44th edition of the festival will again shine the spotlight on Cork talents, as well as welcoming musicians and singers from all corners of the island and beyond.

Organisers say that more than 200 musicians will be taking part in about 40 concerts and sessions across the city in such venues as the Everyman, Triskel, and An Spailpín Fánach.

Musicians entertaining those attending the launch of Cork Folk Festival.Picture: David Keane.

Among the international musicians playing in Cork this year is Martin Carthy. The 82-year-old legend from Hertfordshire taught ‘Scarborough Fair’ to both Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, and was a member of Steeleye Span. A regular visitor to Ireland through the decades, the 2023 event is his first visit to Cork since the death of his wife and music collaborator Norma Waterson last year.

Among the other big names announced at the launch at St Peter’s on North Main St on Tuesday evening were Sharon Shannon, Mary Coughlan, and Frances Black. That impressive trio join forces for the headline concert at Cork Opera House.

John Allen, Ballincollig, and Anthony Cummins, UCC, at the launch of Cork Folk Festival. Picture: David Keane

As well as music, the annual céilí mór is among the events catering for dancers, while Karan Casey brings a touch of theatre with a show at the Everyman, and John Murphy leads a walking/singing tour of the city.

While launching the festival, Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Kieran McCarthy spoke of how the event had been a constant through the ups and downs of Cork’s economy through the decades since the 1970s. 

Tim O'Sulivan and Tom Kennedy, both Douglas Comhaltas, at the launch at St Peter’s Church. Picture: David Keane

He also spoke of the importance of such events for bringing people together. “A more connected community is a safer community for everyone living in it, because with building stronger relationships comes more opportunities to talk, share, and support each other.” 

For full details, see https://www.corkfolkfestival.com/ 

Five to book:

• The Women, We Will Rise, Everyman, Weds 27 to Sat 30: Karan Casey has dipped into her own family history and the deeds of women during the revolutionary period to create a theatrical song cycle that’s getting its world premiere in Cork.
• Céilí Mór, Douglas GAA Club, Friday 29: Ger Murphy (accordion) and Ken Cotter (keyboards) will lead the dancing in the suburb where the seeds of the folk festival were planted in a smoky room by a bunch of local enthusiasts back in the 1970s. And yes, of course there will be plenty of tea and biscuits.
• Rebel Mural Walking Tour, Saturday 30: John Murphy begins his tour at Coburg Street on Saturday morning, and will stroll to some of the city’s War of Independence-related murals. Songs about the era will be sung along the way. Free.
• The Diarmuidín Songbook, Triskel Christchurch, Sunday Oct 1: Diarmuid Ó Súilleabháin was a renowned sean nós singer from Cúil Aodha who tragically died in a car accident in 1991. This tribute concert will feature members of his family, and other singers from an area steeped in traditional music.
• Frances Black, Sharon Shannon, Mary Coughlan, Opera House, Sunday Oct 1: The three legends will each perform solo sets before they all come back on stage together for the encores.