Cork Folk Festival returns to Cork for 44th year

THE Cork Folk Festival, now in its 44th year, returned this week, with over 200 musicians playing in over 40 concerts, gigs and seisiúns across the city, running until Sunday, October 1. 

Highlights for this year’s festival include concerts in Cork Opera House, The Everyman, and Triskel Arts Centre.

The opening event of this year’s festival saw The Everyman welcome a World Premiere of Karan Casey’s theatrical song cycle “The Women, We Will Rise” at 8pm on Wednesday.

At Cork Opera House, singers Mary Coughlan and Frances Black and accordionist Sharon Shannon will team up for a headline concert of folk songs and tunes on Sunday.

The line-up for the Triskel will include five concerts of different styles of folk and traditional music including sean nós singing from Murieann Nic Amhlaoigh; bluegrass banjos from Ron Block & Damien O Kane; Cork songwriting and poetry from John Spillane & Conal Creedon; English folk songs from Martin Carthy and a night of Múscraí songs in honour of Diarmuidín ó Suilleabháin.

The festival is also shining a spotlight on local styles of fiddle, concertina, accordion, flute, and song with a series of concerts in An Spailpín Fánach.

A céilí mór ,with Ger Murphy on accordian, and Ken Cotter on keyboards, takes place at Douglas GAA club 8.30pm Thurs 28th Sept, there’s sean nós dancing, music workshops, trad sessions, folk on the Coal Quay, a walking tour of Rebel Cork, and a folk fest in Elizabeth Fort.

Discounts are available at two of the festival’s venues.

A season ticket at An Spailpín Fánach for €60 will give you tickets for all eight An Spailpín Fánach concerts, which have a total value of €95, offering a saving of over 35%.

The Triskel Christchurch is offering a discount of 15% off when you purchase a ticket for all five of its concerts.

Organisers Jim Walsh and William Hammond said this year’s festival would be very special and they looked forward to the events.

“We hope you enjoy this year's festival and roll on next year, our 45th folk festival,” they said, “The folk festival would like to thank all our funders, our musicians, our volunteers, and everyone who attends this year's festivities.” 

Cork Folk Festival is supported by Cork City Council Arts, the Arts Council, Failte Ireland and MTU Cork.

For full details, and booking, visit www.corkfolkfestival.com.