Cork Council brings back its 'Healthcare Hoolies' for sixth year

Cork County Council has announced the return of 'Healthcare Hoolies', a programme that promotes the wellbeing of older people through access to live music.

Now entering its sixth year, the initiative will once again bring professional musicians, such as Down Memory Lane, Cork Pops Quartet and Fiona Kennedy into Community Hospitals and residential care settings across Cork.

The initiative has become a much-loved staple of the summer calendar for residents, families, staff and performers alike.

This year, to mark the 100-year anniversary of Cork County Library, Healthcare Hoolies 2026 will extend beyond healthcare settings for the first time, with a series of special concerts taking place at libraries in Bandon, Bantry, Cobh, Kinsale, Mallow, Mitchelstown , Skibbereen and Youghal.

The Cork Pops Quartet will play at Bandon Library on July 21 from 11am; Down Memory Lane will perform at Cobh Library from 11am on August 4 and at Mitchelstown Library from 6.30pm on September 19, and Fiona Kennedy will play at Skibbereen Library from 2pm on August 11.

Healthcare Hoolies is delivered by Cork County Council as part of its commitment to promote positive ageing and wellbeing through arts and culture.

Research and experience have consistently demonstrated the positive impact that music can have on wellbeing, particularly for older adults, fostering social connection, stimulating memory and enhancing quality of life.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, councillor Bernard Moynihan, said Cork County Council is proud to continue supporting Healthcare Hoolies.

"It is a programme that brings joy, connection and cultural enrichment to older people across our county," he said.

Chief executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell, said the expansion of Healthcare Hoolies into the library network “marks an important new chapter for the initiative, enabling us to reach even more people and communities through the shared experience of live music”.