Céilí Cois Locha among Lord Mayor of Cork award nominations

Céilí Cois Locha are among the nominees for the Lord Mayor Community and Voluntary Awards in the Arts, Culture, Recreation, and Heritage category.

Céilí Cois Locha provide an opportunity for local people to hear traditional Irish music played by musicians from the same local community.

The group host a weekly outdoor traditional Irish céilí that takes place every Wednesday beside The Lough during the summer months.

The céilís have maintained their popularity and returned back even stronger since the covid pandemic.

Established in 2000, Céilí Cois Locha have in céilí enthusiast Tony McCarthy someone who plays a central role in the ongoing success of the group.

Mr McCarthy helps to teach the dancers the steps to the music and he also makes calls to arrange for local musicians to turn up to the céilí events at The Lough.

The céilís that are organised by Céilí Cois Locha are run from June to August from 7.30pm-9pm.

Also nominated in the Arts, Culture, Recreation and Heritage category is Mockie Ah, who provide queer spaces and queer representation in Cork’s night-time economy.

The group also develops and performs original performance art and fosters community and inclusion in Cork and beyond.

Mockie Ah have made art that appeals to all, and they entertain and inspire through this. The Drag Haus has brought locals through to be performers and artists.

Some examples are Mia Gold’s Drag School through ETB; or Candy Warhol bringing magic to the Midsummer Festival.

The award ceremony takes place on Wednesday.