From running venues to managing festivals, numerous women are front and centre in the cultural life of the Rebel county. Ellie O’Byrne spoke to some them about progress and challenges

AT Blackrock Castle Observatory tonight, the Buzz Aldrin All Stars perform a live sound-track to Spanish artist Esperenza Collado’s series of film loops, Moon.

* TODAY AT THE FESTIVAL

CORK Midsummer Festival launches today with openings that include Rian at Cork Opera House; the world premiere of Fearghus Ó Conchuir’s Starlight at Firkin Crane; Pat Kinevane in Silent at the Commodore Hotel in Cobh; Catherine Wheels’ White at the Granary Theatre; and TPO Company’s Kindur: The Adventurous Life of Icelandic Sheep at the Cork School of Music.

Tom Creed promises an innovative but accessible programme for the 16th Cork Midsummer Festival, says Carl Dixon