Culture Night 2026 in Cork: 20 highlights in the city and county
Culture Night takes place across Cork the rest of the country on Friday, September 18. Picture: Darragh Kane
A rare opportunity to see inside one of the city’s most iconic buildings ahead of its planned redevelopment as the home of the new Cork City Central Library. There will be talks on the heritage and architecture of the building, formerly home to Beamish & Crawford, and the project delivery team for the library project will also be present for feedback. The event is fully booked but walk-ups will be facilitated where possible, and the public information exhibition can be visited without booking.
The city commute gets a Culture Night upgrade with three free hop-on/hop-off routes across the north, east and west of the city. Chill out as you make your way to a host of events with a soundtrack of electronic and ambient music provided by local DJs.
One for all the family as circus meets street theatre in this funny and heartwarming show about the unlikely friendship between Pookie (Lidija Šola) and Nancy (Noelle Ní Riagáin). Prepare to be wowed by some serious acrobatics, as the show features an eight-metre freestanding aerial rig.
Not all heroes wear capes — meet a fifth-generation Cork City firefighter at the Fireman’s Rest hut, which has undergone a painstaking restoration in recent years. Visitors can also see some of the equipment that was used in the past, and view images of the Fireman’s Rest at its original location on Patrick’s St.
Celebrating dance as a defiant act, this performance is inspired by the true story of Jimmy Gralton, a Leitrim socialist who drew the ire of Church and State when he rebuilt a dance hall on his father’s land in the 1920s, leading to the introduction of the 1935 Dance Hall Act. Choreographer and creator of the piece Edwina Guckian will teach the audience dance steps from swing to set-dance.
Enjoy stunning views of the city while also enjoying the distinctive sounds of Cork musical institution the Barracka in the imposing surrounds of Elizabeth Fort. This celebration of ceol and community also features Voices of Peace, the Ukrainian Voice music group and the Sunshine International Youth Ensemble.
From a fortress to a haven of serenity, the programme of events in St Fin Barre’s begins with the usual choral evensong at 6.15pm, followed by an open house featuring sacred music and guided tours. There will also be a fascinating insight into bell-ringing, which will be demonstrated on the cathedral ‘mini-ring’, a scaled-down, portable peal of bells.
The riverside location will be a hub of artistic activity, with Backwater Artists Group and Cork Printmakers offering studio tours and an opportunity to meet resident artists. Also on show is Cork Printmakers current exhibition Hay boy, Gay boy by Maitiú MacCárthaigh, while the Lavit Gallery will display new work by artists from across the island.
A busy programme at the educational hub features a solo exhibition by artist Siobhán Collins; a classical music recital from BMus and MA students, and a selection of performances featuring graduates and students of the BA in Theatre and Drama Studies. It all culminates with Songs for Shelley, in which the Fleischmann Choir and Irish Project Ensemble come together for a performance featuring choral works by Mozart and Arvo Pärt, jazz standards and some Cork favourites. Admission free but ticketed (available at box office from 7pm).
This installation from Jools Gilson, made in collaboration with visual artist Veronica Santorum and sound artist Benjamin Burns, digs into the world of a real 7th century female bog body through film, art, dance and embodied audio.
An eclectic programme toasts 20 years of group residency at the historic Pope’s Quay location. Events include a family friendly art workshop, Georgian polyphony, and a performed excerpt of the play When I Was God by local writer Conal Creedon, poetry by Tony Desmond, read by his brother Cormac and the launch of the Gearr Short Film Festival.
A wealth of new Irish talent will be showcased in this concert featuring 2FM Rising artists MOIO, Mischa and the Bear, Run The Red and Chubby Cat, along with a live DJ set from RTÉ 2FM’s Graham Smyth. The gig will also be broadcast live on RTÉ 2FM.
Baroque virtuosity meets Irish traditional music in this much-anticipated performance imagining what would have happened if Handel’s band took a night off. Curated by Cork-based violinist Marja Gaynor and featuring uilleann piper David Power and soprano Aisling Kenny, the performance will showcase the vibrant, social music of 18th-century Ireland. Admission free but booking required; tickets released at 10am on Friday.
The Kabin Studio bring their legendary ‘Rap A Mile’ to the streets of the city, followed by a ‘Rock the Block’ session at Carnegie Courtyard behind the city library. Creative Tradition will host an inter-generational seisiún traidisiúnta, while the Kabin will also lead a rap and songwriting workshop in the Rory Gallagher Music Library. In Hollyhill library, there will be an opportunity to experience the distinctive sounds of the Javanese gongs and metallophones of the Cork Community Gamelan, in partnership with UCC.
Always a hugely popular draw, this is a relatively rare opportunity to explore one of Cork’s iconic landmarks when the sun goes down. There will be wine tastings and samples aplenty with the accompaniment of performances from local musicians and artists adding to the atmosphere.
In what must be one of the most stunning locations in the country, critically acclaimed musician David Murphy will showcase the pedal steel guitar, playing ancient Irish harp tunes and historic airs, accompanied by his band Ether Ensemble. Support from musicians Nóra and Ellen de Búrca, singing songs from Múscraí in the sean-nós style.
Family events, Mallow Castle, from 4pm
Smallies will no doubt gobble up the classic story of Na Trí Ghabhar Chliste le Compántas Cois Laoi (The Three Billy Goats Gruff) presented here in a bilingual show a bhfuil lán do dhraíocht, d’amhránaíocht, agus do phuipéadóireacht. Later in the evening, Stories from the Book of Fire is a spectacular combination of fire show and ancient storytelling from ROGU.
Evil Genius, Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh, 4pm
Irish crime fiction continues to flourish, with a significant representation in the Rebel county. Delve into the dark and fiendish minds of bestselling Cork authors Catherine Kirwan, Michelle Dunne and Amy Jordan as they reveal the tricks of the crime-writing trade.
The Stonewall Builder — A West Cork Musical, The Gallery at Island Cottage, Heir Island, 4pm-5.30pm
This blend of concert and theatre from singer-songwriter Liz Clark was inspired by her work as resident musician in community hospitals across West Cork, and explores coming out as a gay woman while relating to the different experiences of an older generation.
The Irish Guitar Quartet, Briery Gap, Macroom, 5pm
A chance to see four top purveyors of guitar music wield their magic. Jerry Creedon, David Keating, Aengus Kirakowski and Redmond O’Toole will play songs from their vast repertoire, ranging from Baroque to contemporary fusion.
