TV: Cork festival takes centre stage in new series  

A Cork festival that celebrates our cultural heroes, including storytellers, poets, actors, dancers, singers, and musicians, features in a new series starting next week.

Croí na Féile is a six-part series that tours Ireland exploring its festivals, presented by TikTok star and 2FM presenter Hugh Carr. It starts on TG4 on Thursday at 8pm.

In the third episode on June 18, Hugh heads to the Féile na Laoch (The Festival Of Heroes) in Cúil Aodha , which was inspired by the life and work of one of Cork and Ireland’s true cultural giants, Seán Ó Riada. Hugh volunteers to join its team of fantastic volunteers.

The festival only takes place once every seven years, and the last one took place in the summer of 2025.

In the series, Hugh also heads to vibrant and passionate festivals in Belfast, Kinvara, Galway, and Gweedore.

But he’s not just here for the craic; he must join the teams of volunteers without whom these cherished events wouldn’t happen.

Hugh gets sunburnt, soaked and run ragged and gets a unique insight into the magic and mayhem that makes each and every gathering extra special.

Among the people he meets are members of Kneecap, Stephen Rea, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Grooveline, Huartan, Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh and the President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly.