First Fridays events bring Cork summer to an end tomorrow night

Cork City’s First Fridays programme will bring the summer season to a close this weekend.

The final event, this Friday, promises to be the biggest yet, with activities taking place across a range of city locations.

The popular First Fridays Market will return to Cornmarket Street from 5pm this week, partnering with the UpDown Circus Festival.

Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of street food while taking in performances from stilt walkers Ms Deevadee and Lidija Šola, alongside surprise appearances from the Cork Puppetry Company.

Families are also invited to get involved in hands-on circus activities with Let’s Play Cork, including accessible juggling workshops and an opportunity to help set a new county record on the juggle board.

Elizabeth Fort will open to the public from 5pm to 8pm, with a performance by the Barrack Street Band at 7pm.

There will be a 45-minute Choral Evensong service at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral from 6.15pm, and the cathedral will remain open until 9pm, with guided tours available on request.

At the Butter Museum in Shandon, food historian Dr Regina Sexton and Professor Alan Kelly of UCC’s School of Food and Nutritional Sciences will present “Drinking Buttermilk All the Week: Mixing History, Science and Heritage”. The event will explore the historical importance of milk and buttermilk in Irish diets, examining changing food traditions through a lively blend of discussion and tastings. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.

Award-winning author Sara Baume will appear at The Glucksman in UCC to discuss her new book Opening Night at a free event which can be booked via Eventbrite.

Blackrock Castle Observatory has also extended its planetarium schedule and opening hours until 8pm.

Cork City Council’s night-time economy advisor, Fiona Collins, said that First Fridays “has shown the power of collaboration, bringing together cultural venues, local businesses, artists and communities to create a lively and engaging city centre experience.”