Much-needed funding boost for the Kabin Studio

Cork’s most famous young northsiders have secured Government funding to expand their premises on Harbour View Rd.

The world-conquering Kabin Studio has been granted €40,000 in funding from various State agencies to expand into a new wheelchair-accessible premises.

Established in 2012 with the support of Music Generation Cork City, the studio, a repurposed metal container turned into a non-profit youth music space in Knocknaheeny, made headlines around the world when The Spark, by the Kabin Crew and the Lisdoonvarna Crew became a global sensation. There has been no stopping the young northside rappers since, and locals say the funding allocation is badly needed and will do a lot of good.

Fianna Fáil city councillor Tony Fitzgerald said the funding comes from the HSE, Cork City Council, Sláintecare, and regeneration funding under the Social Economic and Environmental Plan (SEEP).

“This will give the Kabin Crew a new cabin with groundworks and wheelchair access, electrics, and fire alarm systems.

“This is great news, that they can engage more young people and expand the service and the programme developing the musical talents of the young people of the area,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

“Contractors are on site at the moment and works are expected to be completed very shortly, but the funding is well worthy of what they are doing and the expansion of the service will be great news for the children.”

Garry McCarthy, the Kabin’s musical director, said SEEP in particular had been “a massive support” to the studio for years.

“It’s helped us secure an extra pre-fab cabin, which is like a temporary fix for what we need because we’re running out of space.

“We’re falling over ourselves in the old Kabin, but this will allow more space to do workshops, give us office space, and extra space if we have workshops that require movement, or acting, or drama, it’s just a very handy overflow space for us,” Mr McCarthy said.

“The Kabin is now its own little campus up in Knocknaheeny, and we’re delighted with the support of people like Tony and the city council, and so many people in the area who have recognised the value of the work that we do.

“What we’re all about is highlighting the positives in the area, telling the young people’s stories, our aim is to give young people who might not exactly fit in with sports a bit of a creative outlet and do it in a way that is extremely fun and inclusive,” he said.