'Everywhere seems to be full': Cork City buzzes to the sound of the Jazz Festival 

Enjoying the Jazz in Cork City were, Fiona Vodopi, Ellen Lenihan, Caragh O'Neill and Caroline Courtney. Picture Dan Linehan

“There is nothing like the hustle and bustle of the Cork Jazz Festival," said musician George Patterson, playing at the city's most famous weekend for his 22nd year.

Musicians from all over the world have made Cork their stage this bank holiday weekend, with the 46th Guinness Cork Jazz Festival again generating millions of euros for the local economy.

Megastar Gregory Porter was among the headline acts, but for many, it is the smaller, intimate gigs and the buzzing restaurants and bars that make it a weekend to remember. 

Kieran Hurley, Eoghan Conroy and Rory Driscoll playing music in the rain on Princes Street during the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival in Cork. – Picture; David Creedon

Musician George Patterson from the Roaring Forties, who played at the Imperial Hotel, among a string of other venues, spoke to the Irish Examiner between performances.

“There were people everywhere,” he said. 

“There is nothing like the hustle and bustle of Cork Jazz Festival. I’ve been playing at the event for 22 years now. It’s always been important but now it has gained a much larger audience. From the word go, they had the best of the best coming here. 

"They still do even though we have lost some of the giants over the years. When I first started here it was big but as time has gone by the event has taken the position of one of the biggest festivals in Europe.” 

President of the Cork Business Association (CBA), Aaron Mansworth, who is the managing director of Trigon Hotel, which includes Metropole Hotel, Cork International Hotel, and Cork Airport Hotel, said the atmosphere is “electric.” 

“The jazz festival is such an important weekend,” he said. 

Natasha Nonrscan, Anna Swayne, Therese O'Brien and Rachel O'Mahony from Burnfort on a hen night during the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival in Cork. – Picture; David Creedon

“There has been a great atmosphere and a great mix of ages. This year has been so positive for Cork. I was looking down through McCurtain Street and everywhere seemed to be full. The festival has been such a huge boost, as it is every year. If you look at all the sell-out shows, it really has been amazing."

Maeve, Sofia, Trevor and Rían O'Neill enjoying the live music on Emmett Place during the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival in Cork. – Picture; David Creedon

Chairperson of Cork Jazz Festival, Fiona Collins, said there has been no escaping the jazz this bank holiday weekend.

"There is something lovely about the impact of bands on the street. When you see it all come together, you almost forget about all the hard work that’s involved."