All About Cork: This year’s Spirit of Mother Jones Festival ‘a triumph’

The 2025 Spirit of Mother Jones Festival in the Shandon Historic Quarter concluded with song, remembrance of old friends, and a toast to Mother Jones, who loved a drop of Irish whiskey in her old age.

After three days and nights, more than 100 participants from eight countries, capacity attendances, and a top-class programme of talks, song, music, film, and documentary, street dancing and walks, the festival and summer school finished on Saturday night.

James Nolan, from the Cork Mother Jones committee, said: “We couldn’t have wished for a better festival.....it was a triumph, really! There was a great buzz in Shandon all week. So many people came to visit the plaque and they all wanted to stand at the point on the street from where US politician, senator Bernie Sanders, viewed it. Tour guides spoke to large crowds about Mother Jones, it was amazing to see it!.

“I want to thank the 30 Cork Mother Jones Festival volunteers, who looked after everything during the week. We take pride that all events were free to the public. I want to thank the trade unions, which provided sponsorship to help cover some of the costs. And I want to thank all the participants, the Kalyna Choir, the Gaza Monologues, the Mexican Community Choir, the Cork Singers’ Club, and all the speakers, musicians, and everyone who helped, including the media coverage. The festival became an International meitheal.

“We wish to thank Lord Mayor of Cork Fergal Dennehy for performing the opening and getting in to the spirit of the festival at the Maldron Hotel, Shandon.

“And congratulations to Arthur Leahy, of the Quay Co-Op, the 13th recipient, who was presented with the Spirit of Mother Jones award from Cork people.

“Arthur joins an amazing group of worthy award winners over the past 13 years, ranging from Margaret Aspinall and Gareth Peirce to Don O’Leary and Louise O’Keeffe.

“This was the 14th Spirit of Mother Jones festival and summer school and we are delighted with the co-operation and assistance of the entire Shandon community and its ability to be able to hold a festival which has grown in to something very special for everyone. A new Cork Mother Jones committee will now be established to plan for the festival in 2026.”

Dance Cork Firkin Crane is seeking a general manager

The venue said: “We are looking for an enthusiastic, efficient, and dedicated individual to join our team and help us fulfil Dance Cork Firkin Crane’s potential to be a significant national venue for dance.

“The general manager is a senior management role within the organisation, working closely with the executive artistic director (EAD) to oversee the day-to-day management of the organisation and support the delivery of Dance Cork Firkin Crane’s strategic and artistic goals and ambitions.”

The closing date is Sunday, August 24, at midnight. Visit the news section of dancecorkfirkincrane.ie for full application info.

Waste Bins

Blackpool Tidy Village is delighted to show the installation of their first two Dog Poo Waste bins for Blackpool. The group has thanked Volunteer Pat Quinn for helping out with installation. One is at Blackpool Community Centre Cork and the other is on Watercourse Rd.

Fundraiser for Aisling

Free nail clipping and temporary colouring will take place at Blackpool’s Clip a Doodle Doo for a day this month. Just make a donation to Aisling Thornhill’s GoFundMe cause on the day. Aisling is battling leukemia.

A mother of two children, 34-year-old Aisling Thornhill has been in Cork University Hospital since January of this year.

During that time, she has undergone chemotherapy, spinal chemotherapy, immunotherapy and many more treatments to try and get rid of the leukemia cells from her body.

You can drop by the salon salon at Blackpool T23HYOP on August 24.

The business said: “You just make a donation to Aisling’s cause on the day. Even come by and say hi with your dog, every little helps. This local girl and her family’s world have been turned upside down by leukemia and they really need the financial support in the long battle they have ahead.”

Block party workshop

Blackpool Block Party with Cork Community Art Link and Blackpool Community Centre presents a Community Ceilí Fusion dance taster workshop with Maeve Kelleher on August 12 and 19 between, 7pm and 8.30pm, at Blackpool Community Centre. Book and get more info at 089 4013274 or just pop along on the evening.

Mother Of All The Behans, starring Imelda May, will make a highly anticipated return to The Everyman for a limited run only from Tuesday, August 12 to Saturday, August 16.

From the book by Brian Behan, the show is adapted and directed for the stage by Peter Sheridan. Additional material is by Rosaleen Linehan.

Imelda May at Everyman

Join Imelda May for an evening of songs & stories celebrating the life of Brendan’s Mammy. Mother of All the Behans is the story of his inspirational mother Kathleen, a fascinating record of a remarkable life. Inspired by the songs and stories handed down through generations, this retelling is an entertaining journey through the social history of Dublin and the Behan family history.

Imelda May said: “I can’t wait to become the fiercely wonderful Kathleen Behan again.”

See everymancork.com for ticket details.