All About Cork: Rock the Block at City Library for Cruinniú na nÓg festival

Rock the Block, a high-energy, youth-led celebration of music, dance, and street culture is set to return as part of the Cruinniú na nÓg festival this year.

The festival, which takes place on June 7, boasts more than 1,000 free creative events nationwide, with dozens across Cork city and county.

Rock the Block, taking place at the City Library, is an explosion of rock, pop, and rap, and those who come along can expect a traditional Irish and folk open jam session; a pop, rap, and hip-hop open mic session; an interactive dance workshop; a beat-box workshop; a music showcase for up and coming local young artists, and a guest performance by the trailblazing Hazey Haze.

Those heading along to the rap and hip-hop open mic can prepare to be dazzled by The Kabin Studio’s performers, who will bring the hype and the rhymes, reminding us all why they are the global hit-makers of The Spark.

Rock the Block, is free but booking is required via eventbrite.

Among the local events taking place on June 7 is ‘Colour your way’ at Blarney Library.

From 11am to 4pm children aged three to 10 can get creative with a ‘Colour Me’ tablecloth — a giant canvas just waiting for imagination.

This hands-on activity lets children colour in playful designs like letters, numbers, and more using washable markers. Whether you love doodling, learning new things, or just want to relax and get creative, this is the perfect activity for you.

Come along, grab a marker, and help bring the Colour Me tablecloth to life. All materials provided. This is a free, drop-in session.

Meanwhile, at Hollyhill Library from 12.30 to 1.30pm a trad music workshop for kids and teens takes place.

Cruinniú na nÓg is all about fun and creativity, and this special event is perfect for young music lovers. The event is all about learning and playing together with others aged between 10-15, guided by Creative Tradition.

Whether you’ve got a musical instrument or just love listening to great tunes, it’s your chance to dive into the rhythm of Ireland’s traditional music with new friends.

Minister Patrick O’Donovan TD recently launched Cruinniú na nÓg 2025, Ireland’s national day of free creativity for children and young people, at King John’s Castle, Limerick.

“This year Cruinniú na nÓg promises an exciting and inclusive programme — from filmmaking to circus workshops, song writing to sensory events. I’m especially proud of the Cruinniú Late events offering safe, fun spaces for teenagers to explore and showcase their creativity. These 1,000-plus events wouldn’t be possible without the outstanding work of our local authority culture and creativity teams,” Mr O’Donovan said.

“I’m delighted that Cruinniú continues to foster cross-community creative collaboration in the spirit of the Shared Island initiative, offering young people opportunities to engage in creative activities, build new relationships, and bring communities together,” he added.

Lord Mayor’s award for The Hut Youth Project

Children to benefit from ‘accessible, inclusive’ playgrounds

Children in the Knocknaheeny area will benefit from upgrades to a local playground.

Half a million euro was recently announced for upgrading existing playgrounds or developing new playgrounds across the country by minister for children, disability, and equality Norma Foley.

In Cork city, Gerry O’Sullivan Park will see a playground upgrade thanks to more than €12,000 in funding. Many of the projects funded under this year’s Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation give particular focus to inclusion and access and will help to ensure that children with a diverse range of needs can avail of the benefits of high-quality play facilities alongside their peers.

Fine Gael TD Colm Burke said: “We want to see these upgrades so our playgrounds are more accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable for all children. I look forward to seeing the completed project in Gerry O’Sullivan Park, in the Knocknaheeny/Churchfield area. I know this project will have a major impact on the vibrancy of our local community.

“As part of this scheme, councils had to consult with local children and young people to receive funding, so children in Knocknaheeny/Churchfield are at the heart of this project and I hope families across Cork city will avail of this upgraded play area.”

Ms Foley said: “These grants will enable city and county councils to create and upgrade playgrounds, making them more accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable. I look forward to seeing the benefits these projects will provide to communities for years to come.”

Féile double for Vincents as hurlers win Northside derby

Last weekend in MTU was primed to be an exciting day for the St Vincent’s club — families, community, and the 2025 Féile team themselves — as they sought to add a hurling Féile championship victory to April’s football victory. And that’s exactly what they achieved.

The team showed immense skill and character, battling to a one-point win in all three of their group games, to set them up for a semi-final spot in MTU last Sunday.

The semi-final showcased their mental toughness and they earned a victory which secured their place in the final.

Onto the final, which was a great showcase of hurling from two Northside clubs, with their opponents being Na Piarsaigh.

St Vincent’s led at half time, which gave them a great platform to see the game out in the second half.

Their win has been described as a proud moment for the club, players, selectors, families and community.

“Days like this confirm, not that winning is everything, but the reason we volunteer our time back to the club after we finish playing is to aid the development of the next generation through sport and watch them flourish,” a club spokesperson said.

“This particular team of young men have created lifelong memories on Sunday, which don’t come around often and no doubt [they] will cherish for life. Uinsinn Naofa Abú!”

TradCamp 2025 registration

Registration is now open for TradCamp 2025, taking place from June 30 to July 3 in Scoil Aiséirí Chríost.

The camp is open to all young traditional musicians aged six to 16 and beginners are welcome to join Creative Tradition for four fun-filled days of music, song, dance, and craic.

Visit Creative Tradition’s Facebook page for more information.

Volunteers wanted

Friendly Call Cork are looking for volunteers.

If you can spare a couple of hours a week and would like to tackle loneliness and isolation, contact Fiona/Jackie at friendlycall@partnershipcork.ie or call to their office in the Parochial Hall, 114 Knockfree Ave, Churchfield, Cork.

Let’s Go Summer Camp

Let’s Go Summer Camp Blarney is back at Scoil Mhuire gan Smál from July 28.

Booking is now open to secure children’s places for a fun-filled week of games, sports, and adventure.

Visit www.letsgo.ie for more information.

Sunday’s Well water outage

As part of Uisce Éireann’s National Leakage Reduction Programme, new connection works may cause supply disruptions to Strawberry Hill, Shanakiel Court, The Grove, Rope Walk, Convent Ave, Shanakiel Rd, Sunday’s Well, and surrounding areas early next week.

A traffic management plan will be in place for the duration of the works, scheduled to take place from 1pm until 5pm on Monday, May 19.

Uisce Éireann recommends that people allow three to four hours after the estimated restoration time for supply to fully return.