The city and county of Cork is set to play host to a multitude of events and festivals this summer season. The city will be buzzing with a vast range of music, gastro, literary and sporting events for all the family to enjoy. A plethora of activities awaits you over the coming months which we have outlined below.
Kicking off the summer is the Cork Harbour Festival which takes place between June 4th and 12th. This festival is a celebration of Ireland’s unique maritime culture with many events taking place over the June Bank Holiday weekend including the Cork Harbour Open Day, Night Time Kayaking through the beautiful and historic city of Cork and The Ocean to City- An Rás Mór which is the main spectacle and flagship event. The June Bank Holiday Weekend also features the Cork City Marathon taking place on Monday June 6th. After the marathon, return to the luxurious surrounds of Hayfield Manor, where you can truly relax those aching muscles. We also offer excellent sports massages at The Beautique Spa by our highly trained team. For exclusive overnight offers, click here.
Centre stage of the summer season in Cork will be the annual Live at the Marque which takes place over multiple days in June & July, with an impressive line-up of international artists headlined to play. Kicking off the first of many famous acts will be the Dropkick Murphy’s. This will be followed by the Corrs, who have been one of Ireland’s favourites for many years, also during this festival a performance will be made by the Lord of the Dance from the 16th to the 18th June. There will also be performances from Olly Murs, the legendary Tom Jones, Gavin James, Nathan Carter and many more. Hayfield Manor is located a mere 10 minute journey from The Marquee so why not celebrate in style with a luxurious overnight stay at Hayfield Manor. For details on our special offers, click here.
With over 50,000 people expected to attend, The Cork Midsummer Festival is an Explosion of Arts Events on the Banks of the Lee and is running from 17-19, 21 and 24-26 June with a full programme of events throughout the festival. Returning favourites such as Our Table which will take place on June 26th where you can join up to 400 other food lovers on a summer’s evening with food and entertainment on Oliver Plunkett Street ( winner of the Great Street Award 2016 in Ireland & UK) with 12 participating restaurants from around Cork and Picnic in the Park which takes place on June 19th at the wonderful Fitzgerald’s Park (home of Diarmuid Gavin's Chelsea Flower Show gold-meal winning Sky Garden) featuring unmissable performances from artists such as Penny Arcade, Company SJ and the RTÉ Contempo Quartet, while homegrown Cork talent will be represented by the incredible work of choregrapher Laura Murphy, theatre from Makeshift Ensemble and Brokencrow. Metta Theatre present their spectacular new production Jungle Book which brings the tale into the 21st Century with breath-taking street dance and circus. These are just a few amazing events which will take place amongst many, many more! Don't miss the huge celebration of Cork's world renowned food culture and a massive Midsummer Party taking place throughout the longest day of the year. One of the most unique events and new addition to this years festival is ‘Be My Guest’, which features a number of Shandon residents selecting pieces from the Art Council’s permanent collection and hanging them on display in their living rooms, which will then be open to the public to visit and view.The festival will also feature a special performance by Corcadorca. Sacrifice the Easter is a new play which will take place at Elizabeth Fort on Barrack Street from the 17th June- 2nd July at 22.00pm each evening and will mark the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising.
Volvo Cork Week takes place this year from July 10th to 15th. This regatta offers phenomenal racing conditions; boasting one of the world's largest natural harbours, a stunning cliff-lined coast and the Atlantic. Volvo Cork Week has the natural resources to provide some of the best racing anywhere and is combined with the legendary 'craic' of Irish hospitality. 2016 Volvo Cork Week will also host the first ever, IRC European Championship, the Irish Quarter Tonner National Championship and the inaugural Beaufort Cup. Racing will take place over five days in a mix of offshore and inshore courses.
The Cork Pride 2016 Festival will take place from the 24th-31st July with the Family Fair day kick-starting the week from Sunday 24th and the annual Parade taking place on Sunday 31st. The week will be packed with various different events taking place across the city. This year marks one year since the Marriage Referendum was held when Ireland voted Yes so this year expect the festival to be even bigger and better than ever before!
The unique and extraordinary event that is the Irish Redhead Convention is set to take place in the beautiful village of Crosshaven from August 19-21st. This event will see redheads gather from across Ireland and the globe in order to celebrate all things rare and wonderful about having red hair!
Wishing you a warm and wonderful summer in Cork!
For more information on these events, please click here.