Jazz weekend one of busiest Cork publicans have ever seen

Over 100,000 people have headed to Cork over the weekend to enjoy the annual Guiness Cork Jazz Festival, where more than 100 different events delighted locals and visitors to the city alike.

Noreen Gannon of Gallaghers told The Echo, “it’s been amazing for Cork, probably one of the busiest jazz festivals I’ve seen.” 

There was rain on Thursday and Friday as well as Sunday afternoon, which she said “does put a bit of a damper on it” but added that overall they had a “bumper weekend” with the festival having been busy since Thursday.

“Everyone is in great form, the young and the old and we’ve enjoyed looking at them all enjoying themselves – the young people are all dressed up beautifully!” 

Ahead of its final night on Monday, the festival, which is supported by Diageo, Fáilte Ireland, Cork City Council and Cork Airport, has been praised for its blend of international jazz performers, local talent, and street events.

Highlights for festival-goers included Gregory Porter who performed sold-out shows at Cork Opera House on Thursday and Friday, and surprised fans by popping up in some unexpected locations throughout the city.

Seun Kuti, the youngest son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, played shows on Saturday and Sunday night at the Everyman, appearing onstage wearing a towel on Saturday, telling crowds that his airline had lost his bag when he flew over.

A Guinness Music Trail, spanning 72 pubs has also proven popular and meant Cork bars have enjoyed what many told The Echo was their “busiest weekend of the year,” while cafes and restaurants have seen a boost from serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to those who travelled to Cork for the weekend.

Three-time Grammy Award winner Gaby Moreno shared, “Performing at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is such a special moment for me. It’s an honour to be part of a celebration with so much history, where artists and audiences from all over come together through music.

“As a Guatemalan artist, it’s so wonderful to share my songs in this setting, with all the energy and spirit that Cork brings.” 

There are still a number of events on Monday, such as Rory McCarthy and Hugh Dillon, who are playing a free gig in Coughlans. The Metropole will see The Motones play at 1pm and Dave Murphy at 3pm in the Riverview Restaurant, while the hotel’s Met Restaurant will have music from Laoise Leahy at 1pm, Derek O’Connor at 3.30pm, Niall Marrone at 6pm and The Songstress at 8.30pm.

An installation at St Peter’s Church is also running until Wednesday – the exhibition is a collaboration with Blue Note Records that includes an interactive, walk-through display of the label’s iconic artwork as well as some of the artists they’ve worked with, and Blue Note’s first ever Irish pop-up store.