'It's just always a great time even though we're all queuing in the rain': Cork Jazz goers hold strong despite weather

Hyde Park Brass playing on the stage outside Cork Opera House. Picture: Andy Gibson.

There was an interesting mix of facial expressions among those attending the Jazz Festival in Cork city centre on Saturday – those who seemed like they could incessantly jazz on for the rest of the year and those who could not imagine anything worse.

The latter seemed to be soldiering on in an effort to escape the inescapable crowds.

At around 6pm, the weather took a turn and moods shifted to genuine caution as water began spilling onto Morrison's Island and subsequently to the South Mall.

Floods creeping into other parts of city centre - Crane Lane and Oliver Plunkett street! pic.twitter.com/gl6uZLagvU

— Jack White (@JackWhiteJ) October 28, 2023

Parts of land quickly became cut off, with those entering or leaving the Imperial Hotel having to take carefully calculated steps in the water.

In a matter of minutes, water was spilling onto streets where Jazz hotspots, such as Crane Lane and the Oliver Plunkett, hosted hundreds.

Before the flooding and even after, the majority of those in the city centre were in high spirits and dressed to the nines, even if some of them were wearing rainproof ponchos over dresses and suits while going from bar to bar.

Significant queues were a reality across all venues, regardless of the time or weather.

Just a short walk from a flooded South Mall, Hollie McNamara from Glounthaune was queuing for over 40 minutes to get into Deep South on the Grand Parade.

“It's just always a great time even though we're all queuing in the rain. We all do it every single year,” she said.

Earlier in the day, newly arriving crowds were consistently filling Patrick’s Street before dispersing to side streets.

Oliver Plunkett Street in particular was vibrantly chaotic.

Rebel Brass take to the streets of Cork City during The Big Fringe at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. Picture: Darragh Kane

Among those spilling into the city centre were Cobh native Rachel Flanagan and her three friends, all of whom live and study in Waterford.

Ms Flanagan brought her friends down specifically to experience the Jazz weekend, with more due to land on Sunday.

“There are about nine people staying in my house tomorrow,” she said before adding: “It's all for the craic like literally, we can't wait to see everything.” 

The group were on their way to the Oliver Plunkett for some “good music” before planning on heading to the Imperial Hotel later on in the night.

“My mam went last night and she said it was the biggest craic she's ever had so we can’t wait for that,” she said.

Ms Flanagan’s friends were not sure what to expect from the “iconic weekend”.

“I’ve never been to Cork Jazz and I’ve never heard of it before because Laois is so excluded from the rest of the country,” joked Niamh Phelan.

Irish band 'Code of Behaviour' after its Cork Opera House gig. Picture: Andy Gibson.

“I’ve only just got off the bus but it’s great so far,” she said, perhaps sarcastically.

Families with young children enjoyed the daytime festivities with buskers and jazz bands creating cheery crowds left right and centre.

Paul Street, where busker Eve Bradley set up shop, provided a brief respite from the madness engulfing other areas.

Just a short distance from Emmet Place where hundreds crowded to see performances at the Super Dome Jazz Stage, Paul Street was like another world – somewhere to sit outside and enjoy the calming music from Ms Bradley who has been busking in Cork city for several years now.

“It’s a bit hectic in other places, there’s still lots of people but it’s not mobbed here,” she said.

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