Cork buskers getting in tune ahead of festive fundraiser on Patrick Street

The fourth annual busking marathon fundraiser for Cork Penny Dinners will be held this year on Saturday, December 21 on Patrick Street.

The busking marathon, which will run from 10am until well after 6pm, is the brainchild of two Cork singer-songwriters who have raised €17,000 for the charity since they began in 2021.

Each year, Whitechurch native Dylan Brickley and Farranree man Korey Power have put together an all-day show outside Brown Thomas with their friends from Cork’s music scene.

In their first year they raised €3,000 for Cork Penny Dinners, doubling that to €6,000 in their second year, topping €8,000 last Christmas, and this year, they hope to do even better.

The two solo artists learned their trade busking on the streets of Cork, and Mr Brickley has more than a decade’s experience, while Mr Power started four years ago.

This year the Cork troubadours will be joined at various points in the day by John Spillane, Cathal Fitz, Kelvin Long, Andrew Fletcher, Lottie O’Driscoll, and many others.

Mr Power told The Echo all involved were looking forward to the big day.

“It’s always such a special day from start to finish, and our fellow musicians, and the people of Cork, always come through to raise funds for Cork Penny Dinners, and Caitriona (Twomey) and the volunteers there do such great work. It’s so important to support them, especially at Christmas."

Mr Brickley said the musicians had been looking forward all year to the busking marathon.

“You don’t feel the cold when you’re playing your heart out for Penny Dinners, that’s when the spirit of Christmas really comes alive on the streets of Cork."

Caitríona Twomey, Penny Dinners’ volunteer co-ordinator, said the charity expects to serve well over 1,500 meals this Christmas Day.