Cork City Council puts focus on night-time with First Fridays initiative

Cork City Council has launched First Fridays, an initiative of markets and events in the city centre on the first Friday of each month throughout the summer.

First Fridays starts tonight, and it will take place on the first Friday of every month until September.

Fiona Collins, the council’s night-time economy adviser, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to give people a chance to explore Cork city and everything it has to offer after 6pm.

“Our city is vibrant and full of life, and we want everyone to experience that.”

The inaugural First Friday programme includes a night market on Cornmarket St, and extended evening openings of Elizabeth Fort, Blackrock Castle Observatory, and the Butter Museum in Shandon, which is hosting a traditional butter-making demonstration and tasting at 6pm.

Tickets for the Butter Museum event are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the venue.

Council chief executive Valerie O’Sullivan said: “This initiative is another example of our commitment to a renewed focus on the city centre — strengthening footfall, animating our streets throughout the day and night, and reimagining how the city functions after dark, fostering a welcoming atmosphere, and ensuring the city centre remains a dynamic and attractive place for everyone day and night.”

Cork City Council has invited any businesses or cultural institutions with an idea for an after-dark or night-time economy event to engage with it on potential collaboration.