Guinness Cork Jazz Festival 'brings a palpable energy' to Cork City with more than 100,000 visitors

Aaron Mansworth, the managing director of Trigon Hotel Group, said every business in the area had got a welcome cash boost from visitors

TBL8 Brass performing live on the Jazz Bus during the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival this weekend. The festival runs until Monday. For more see guinnesscorkjazz.com @guinnesscorkjazz. Picture: Darragh Kane

It’s going down in the record books as the busiest jazz weekend Cork City has ever seen, according to the organisers who estimate crowds well in excess of 100,000 have so far attended. And they still have Monday to listen to the music and party.

The increase in visitor numbers is evidenced by Cork Airport’s news that arrivals were up this bank holiday weekend to 62,000, which is a 12% increase on the comparative weekend last year, and it’s believed what is the 47th annual Guinness Cork Jazz Festival will boost the local economy by around €45m.

Over the weekend, more than 500 musicians from Ireland and abroad have filled the city’s streets, pubs, hotels, and outdoor stages.

While the headline performances may be wrapping up, the festival continues on Monday with the Guinness Music Trail in more than 70 pubs across the city, Douglas, and Kinsale. 

Luke Thomas and the Swingcats performing at the Everyman Theatre. Picture: Darragh Kane

Music lovers can also catch Vieux Farka Touré and Partiboi69 performing at Cyprus Avenue.

Festival director Mark Murphy was delighted that there were so many sold-out shows across a number of venues.

Highlights included Nubya Garcia, Lee Fields, Sienna Spiro, Daniel Herskedal, James Holden, Khakikid, Maverick Sabre, and Cymande.

“The Guinness Music Trail has been a massive success, with venues packed to capacity. The Big Fringe also drew record crowds, filling the streets with incredible energy,” Mr Holden said.

Chair of the festival committee and the city's night-time economy adviser Fiona Collins said hotels, restaurants, bars, and local businesses all get a welcome jazz cash windfall, and they have seen yet another surge in trade this year.

Pioneer of Irish hip-hop God Knows performing at the Kino. Picture: Darragh Kane

“The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival brings a palpable energy to the city. Cork was alive with music all the weekend. We’re deeply grateful for the support of festival attendees, local businesses, and our partners,” she added.

Aaron Mansworth, the managing director of Trigon Hotel Group, which includes the traditional festival headquarters at the Metropole Hotel, said every business in the area had got a welcome cash boost from visitors.

Cork Airport spokesman Barry Holland said the festival begins there the second passengers arrive at the terminal, where live music greets them.

"As the international gateway to the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, we were proud to support this iconic event," Mr Holland said.

For more information on Monday's gigs, see GuinnessJazzFestival.com or follow @guinnesscorkjazz #GuinnessCorkJazz.