Fundraising and music venue for Kilcrohane

A new music garden and charity fundraising venue being constructed on a remote West Cork peninsula is set for completion this week.

Scheduled to open next Saturday for its first big event, the outdoor garden venue behind a popular pub in the village of Kilcrohane boasts large curved benches and a covered stage and dance area.

The village and pub, on the windswept but scenic Sheeps Head peninsula, is an increasingly popular destination for tourists.

Local publican Eileen Lehane, owner of Eileen’s Bar, and her partner Ian Sanford, are working hard to turn what used to be a large empty space of about an acre at the rear of the pub into a music venue, which will be used to raise funds for charity.

“We’re currently finishing off the garden in advance of its first opening, on Saturday,” said Ian, adding the first event at the venue — which can hold about 140 people — will be an after-party following the wedding of a local couple.

“The plan is to have bands and concerts here and we will donate the proceeds to charity. We will use it for small weddings and donate some of the proceeds from our own profit to charity. It will be very nice when it’s finished.

“However we still have a good bit to go before Saturday next — we have to finish the floor and the seating, and install the lighting. It will be lovely when it gets going.

“We’re very excited about the potential of the site: It will be a lovely garden, and a nice space where you can catch the evening sun, enjoy some music, and support charity,” he said.

He said the project, on which work began about a year ago, had received significant help from volunteers. “I would like to thank those volunteers who have given of their time,” he said.