CORKABOUT

Coming to the Opera House

2012-01-31T08:15:00.000-08:00

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

February

COMEDY

Sat 11 Feb, 2.30 & 8.00pm

The Glee Experience

Calling all Gleeks!!
Following two sold out performances at The Olympia Theatre in Dublin in September, The Glee Experience comes to Cork!

Be part of the club and experience these glittering bunch of Gleesters perform an unforgettable show, jam packed with all your favourite hits.Tickets: Matinee €16 & Evening €21

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

CONCERT

Sun 12 Feb,

8.00pm

Alabama 3

Alabama 3 return to Cork with full band for the first time since a sold out show at The Savoy Theatre in October 2007.

Tickets: €25

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

CONCERT

Mon 13 Feb, 8.00pm

Gavin Friday

Gavin Friday’s career spans four decades, and he still puts the same energy and passion into his work that he did with the Virgin Prunes in 1977.

In 1996 Friday contributed the song ‘Angel’ to the Romeo + Juliet soundtrack and wrote their first score for the Australian film Angel Baby. Subsequent film scores have included The Boxer (1998), Disco Pigs (2001) and In America (2002) and the 50 Cent biopic Get Rich or Die Trying.

Tickets: €26

Booking fee may apply

CONCER, COMEDY

Tues Feb 14, 8.00pm

Let There Be Love

Whether you’re single, engaged, on a first date, a spinster, or married for over 40 years, we have put together something a little unconventional for you this Valentine’s Day.

Let There Be Love is a carnival of events including the greatest love song anthems, tango, the most popular love scenes from your favourite films, ballet, blind date, speed dating, orchestras, choirs, discos, dance and live proposals!

Tickets: €21

Booking fee may apply

FILM

Thurs Feb 16, 8.00pm

Portrait Of An Artist:Myles O’Reilly

Cork Opera House is delighted to present the premiere of a Film by Myles O’Reilly for Carraig Productions and Cork Opera House featuring Caoimhin O’Raghallaigh, Lisa Hannigan, Duke Special and James Vincent McMorrow IN Mitchelstown Caves. The evening will feature a selection of Myles’s creations from his Arbutus Yarns extensive catalogue.

Tickets: €12

Booking fee may apply

CONCERT

Sat 18 Feb, 8.00pm

Mary Black

‘Mary Black in Concert’ in aid of Chernobyl Children International.

For over 25 years, Mary Black has been a dominant presence in Irish music, here and abroad. Mary has released 11 studio albums all of which received platinum sales status. She has shared stages, TV shows and recording studios with some of the most revered performers of her time.

Tickets: €31, €28.50

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

CONCERT

Sun 19 Feb, 8.00pm

David Pomeranz

David Pomeranz is one of the most succesful and prolific songwriter and recording artists on the scene today. His songs have sold over 35 million copies worldwide and his musical projects have earned him a total of 18 Gold and 22 Platinum Records. Billboard Magazine magazine has referred to him as, "One of our finer voices... and his concerts have delighted and inspired millions all over the world."

Tickets: €31, €51, €61

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

DANCE

21 Feb, 8.00pm

CoisCéim Dance Theatre presents

Touch Me

Set among the remains of a boarded up room, a group of strangers look in from outside. A set of keys unlocks the door to hidden gems left behind. What was that promise that you made?

Tickets: €20/15

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

THEATRE

Thurs 23 –Sat 25 Feb, 8.30pm, Half Moon Theatre

A Play On Two Chairs

A Play On Two Chairs is an explosive play about the endless battle of the sexes. An intense and hilarious rollercoaster through the ups and downs of love and lust. Bursting with energy and stretching your emotional spectrum to its max, A Play On Two Chairs will have you on the edge of your seat! (Or cowering behind it).

Tickets: €15, €12 concession

Booking fee may apply

COMEDY

Thur 23rd Feb, 8.00pm

Micheal Winslow

The multi-talented comedian and star of the Police Academy series.

Since the fall of 2008, Winslow has hosted the motion picture television series called "Way Back Wednesday with Winslow" on the cable superstation WGN America, which features movies mostly released in the 1980s. Michael continues to perform stand-up comedy around the globe.

Tickets: €23/21

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

CONCERT

24 Feb, 8.00pm

Camille O’Sullivan

Camille O'Sullivan enjoys a formidable international reputation for her dramatic interpretations of the songs of Brel, Cave, Waits, Bowie and more. Chameleon-like on stage, each song has a different character with its story to tell.

Irish Times

Tickets: €20/25/30

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

CONCERT

25 Feb, 8.00pm

Spaghetti Western Orchestra

Five brilliant comic maestros perform classic Ennio Morricone soundtracks from the iconic Clint Eastwood movies The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, For A Few Dollars More and Once Upon a Time in The West recreating every punch up, gunshot, and jangling spur with hilarious effect!

Tickets: €26

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

CONCERT

Sun 26 Feb, 8.30pm

The Henry Girls

The Henry Girls are fast becoming one of the most talked about folk/roots acts to come out of the North West of Ireland in the last decade.

They are renowned for their fine close harmonies and musical arrangements, and have been likened to many other harmonising siblings such as The McGarrigle Sisters, The Andrews Sisters and The Everly Brothers.

Tickets: €10/12

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

COMEDY

Wed 29 Feb –Sat 3 Mar, 8.00pm

Brendan Grace

The greatest family comedian of our generation proudly presents 40 years in the Comedy business and most of this time at the very top of his profession.

Tickets: €31

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

THEATRE

Wed 29 Feb – Sat 03 Mar, 8.30pm, Half Moon Theatre

A New Brain

‘A New Brain’ is a musical written by William Finn. Finn's music score ranges from the hilarious to the ravishing, and all points in between.

Tickets: €15, €12 concession

Booking fee may apply

March

COMEDY

Thur 8 Mar, 8.00pm

Hardy Bucks

Some people say the best thing about Castletown is the road out of it. But ya have to use that road to get back into it as well.

Join Eddie and Buzz along with their kindred spirits 'The Boo' and 'French Toast' for a stage adaptation of their hugely successful television series with RTÉ.

Tickets: €23.50, €21

Booking fee may apply

CONCERT

Sat 10 Mar, 8.00pm

Friends In Low Places: The Garth Brooks Experience

Fresh from a sell-out nationwide tour in 2011 which included Dublin’s Vicar St. ,the INEC and the Waterfront in Belfast, Friends In Low Places better known as The Ultimate Garth Brooks Experience makes it’s Cork debut!

Tickets: €25

Booking fee may apply

COMEDY

13 Mar, 8.00pm

Man 1, Bank 0

Man 1, Bank 0 is Patrick Combs’ amazing-but-true story of how he deposited a $95,093.35 junk-mail cheque into his own bank account and about what happens after his bank clears it. He’s rich – or is he??

Tickets: €25/20 conc

Booking fee may apply

THEATRE

Fri 16 Mar, 8.00pm

The End & First Love

Starring: Conor Lovett

Directed by Judy Hegarty Lovett

Tickets: €20, €25

Booking fee may apply

THEATRE

Fri 16 & Sat 17 Mar, 10.30pm, Half Moon Theatre

Play

Play, described as "an assault on itself, on the theatre [...], drama playing against itself," reflects Beckett's affair with Barbara Bray, and the inevitable guilt arising from the intense banalities of an emotional triangle.

Tickets: €12

Booking fee may apply

THEATRE

Sat 17 Mar, 8.00pm

The Beckett Trilogy

Molloy, Malone Dies & The Unnamable are novels by Samuel Beckett. Gare St Lazare's presentations of the novels consist of extracts selected by Conor Lovett & Judy Hegarty Lovett and recited with the kind permission of The Samuel Beckett Estate.

Tickets: €20, €25

Booking fee may apply

CONCERT

Sun 18 Mar, 8.00pm

The Three Tenors

Ireland’s hottest trio Declan Kelly, Morgan Crowley and David Martin will serenade mothers from across Munster this Mother’s Day!

Tickets: €31, €28.50, €25

Booking fee may apply

CONCERT

Tues 20 Mar, 8.00pm

The National Dance Company Of Wales

National Dance Company Wales presents the work of world-class choreographers with twelve international dancers in a programme of spectacle, dynamism and profound emotional expression.

Tickets: €21

Booking fee may apply

CIRCUS

Wed 21 & Thurs 22 Mar, 8.00pm

Moscow State Circus

The Moscow State Circus brings its latest & most Spectacular show to date to the UK with this sensational extravaganza Babushkin Sekret.

Tickets: €23, €27, €31

Booking fee may apply

COMEDY

Fri 23 March, Sat 24, Sun 25, Fri 30 March, Sat 31, Sun 01 April, 8.00pm

Gift Grub Live 2

After selling over 45,000 tickets across Ireland with the first Gift Grub Live stage production, Mario Rosenstock returns with a totally new show for 2012!

Tickets: €36.50

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

THEATRE

Mon 26 – Sat 31 Mar, 8.30pm, Half Moon Theatre

Fred And Alice

Fred and Alice is a quirky love story played at a blistering pace.

Fred hasn’t a note in his head but that’s not going to stop him having a music career.

Alice likes words because without words we would have nothing to talk about.

Tickets: €36.50

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

April

OPERA

Tue 3 April, 8.00pm

La Traviata

The love story that gripped Paris.

Back by public demand.

A tragic tale of searing passion and memorable music, La Traviata is Verdi’s outstanding interpretation of one of the most popular love stories of the 19th century, La dame aux Camelias.

Tickets: €26, €36, €41

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

OPERA

Tue 3 April, 8.00pm

La Bohéme

Featuring the Internationally Acclaimed

Ukrainian National Opera of Kharkiv.

With handpicked soloists, a highly-praised chorus, and full orchestra.

Tickets: €26, €36, €41

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

COMEDY

Fri 13 April, 8.00pm

Neil Delamere

Neil Delamere, star of RTE’s The Panel and BBC’s The Blame Game is back in Cork Opera House.

Tickets: €26, €27.50, €29

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

Cork Opera House booking information

Book online: * www.corkoperahouse.ie

Book by phone: *021-4270022

THE GEARAGH

2012-01-29T06:20:00.000-08:00

Click on collage to enlarge.

This is the strange landscape of the Gearagh, a few miles from Macroom, and often passed by motorists on their way to West Cork via Inchigeela. I was in the area last Friday, staying at the excellent 4 star Castle Hotel in the Main Street of Macroom, and took the opportunity to walk across the Gearagh. The car park, on the Macroom-Inchigeela road, is a bit on the small side. The walk, the sun came out to accompany us, through the amazing landscape is easy, even if there were some muddy patches last Friday. It is a walk that changes through the seasons: the water levels rise and fall, the flowers come and go as do the birds. It is a rare and precious place, worthy of more than one visit, so I made a promise to myself to return, again and again. I took a shot of a noticeboard in the carpark and it gives you a very brief history of the place, a place that is one outstanding reason for a stay in the friendly town of Macroom.

More Macroom photos here

LOVELY SNEEM

2012-01-26T09:06:00.001-08:00

IMG_0037, a photo by CorkBilly on Flickr.

Sneem village, one of my favourite pics from this lovely Kerry village.
Click on pic to see more...

GRAINSTORE: WORDS AND MUSIC

2012-01-26T01:40:00.000-08:00

AMELODY OF WORDS - POETRY AND CLASSICAL MUSIC AT THE GRAINSTORE, BALLYMALOEHOUSE, SHANAGARRY, CO.CORK

FRIDAY24th FEBRUARY 8PM

Awonderful night of poetry and harp in the beautiful setting of Ballymaloe.

Acclaimedpoets Thomas McCarthy and Gerard Smyth will read from their work. Throughoutthe evening classical harpist Sarah Noonan will perform pieces by J.S. Bach,Grandjany, Weiss,Hasselmans, Tournier, Dussek, O' Carolan and Salzedo.

Tickets€15. Concession €10.

BallymaloeHouse are offering an excellent package deal of €60 for early 6pm dinner plusevent or €140 for dinner, B&B and entrance to the event!

Ballymaloepride themselves on offering a warm welcome, tastefully decorated bedrooms andaward-winning cuisine which celebrates the best of local, seasonal produce.

Event website: http://www.thegrainstoreatballymaloe.com/#/a-melody-of-words/4558039040

Formore details please contact The Grainstore - thegrainstore@ballymaloe.ie

ALL HAPPENING AT THE OPERA HOUSE

2012-01-10T08:45:00.000-08:00

Cork Opera House Listings

2012

January

THEATRE

Thur 19, Fri 20 & Sat 21 Jan, 8.30pm, HMT

Disco Pigs

Pig and Runt were born on the same day, in the same hospital, moments apart. They are inseparable, almost telepathic, and with an appetite for recklessness, exploration and destruction. This night the inseparable are about to separate, and which one will survive depends on which one can break free from this ever increasingly poisonous relationship.

Tickets: €10

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

February

CONCERT

Wed 01 Feb, 8.00pm

Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy

Will Oldham, AKA Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, is an American singer-songwriter and actor. From 1993 to 1997, he performed and recorded as the Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, and Palace Music. He then adopted the "Bonnie 'Prince' Billy" moniker for the majority of his output since 1998.

Tickets: €25

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

COMEDY

Fri 3 & Sat 4 Feb, 8.00pm

Neil Delamere

Neil Delamere, star of RTE’s The Panel and BBC’s The Blame Game is back in Cork Opera House with a brand new show.

Tickets: €26, €27.50, €29

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

CONCERT

Sun 5 Feb, 8.00pm

Rebecca Storm

Cork Opera House is proud to host the first lady of Irish musical theatre for a greatest hits concert celebrating a career that has spanned performances on every stage of popular music from Top of the Pops to the West End

Tickets: €35, €30 & €25

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

COMEDY

Tues 7 - Fri 10 Feb, 8.00pm

Dara O'Briain - The Craic Dealer

Following 2010’s 150 date sell out tour of the UK & Ireland and best selling DVD This Is The Show Irish funnyman Dara O Briain hits the road again with a brand new show for 2012.

Tickets: From €26

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

COMEDY

Sat 11 Feb, 2.30 & 8.00pm

The Glee Experience

Calling all Gleeks! The Glee Experience comes to Cork this February .

Be part of the club and experience these glittering bunch of Gleesters perform an unforgettable show, jam packed with all your favourite hits.

Tickets: Matinee €16 & Evening €21

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

CONCERT

Sun 12 Feb, 8.00pm

Alabama 3

Alabama 3 return to Cork with full band for the first time since their last sold out show.

Tickets: €25

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

CONCERT

Mon 13 Feb, 8.00pm

Gavin Friday

In 1996 Friday and Maurice Seezer contributed the song ‘Angel’ to the Romeo + Juliet soundtrack and wrote their first score for the Australian film Angel Baby. Subsequent film scores have included The Boxer (1998), Disco Pigs (2001) and In America (2002) and the 50 Cent biopic Get Rich or Die Trying.

Tickets: €26

Booking fee may apply

CONCERT

Sat 18 Feb, 8.00pm

Mary Black

‘Mary Black in Concert’ in aid of Chernobyl Children International.

Mary is a real Irish treasure with a unique gift and true talent. This concert will delight new and dedicated fans alike.

Tickets: €31, €28.50

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

CONCERT

Sun 19 Feb, 8.00pm

David Pomeranz

David Pomeranz is one of the most successful and prolific songwriter and recording artists on the scene today. His songs have sold over 35 million copies worldwide and his musical projects have earned him a total of 18 Gold and 22 Platinum Records. Billboard Magazine magazine has referred to him as, "One of our finer voices... and his concerts have delighted and inspired millions all over the world."

Tickets: €31, €51, €61

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

DANCE

21 Feb, 8.00pm

CoisCéim Dance Theatre presents

Touch Me

Set among the remains of a boarded up room, a group of strangers look in from outside. A set of keys unlocks the door to hidden gems left behind. What was that promise that you made? What are the new symbols of fortune? What makes us happy now?

Tickets: €20/15

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

COMEDY

Thur 23rd Feb, 8.00pm

Micheal Winslow

The multi-talented comedian and star of the Police Academy series Michael Winslow tours Ireland in February 2012.
The American actor and a comedian is billed as the "Man of 10,000 Sound Effects" for his ability to make realistic sound effects using only his voice.

Tickets: €23/21

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

CONCERT

24 Feb, 8.00pm

Camille O’Sullivan

Camille O'Sullivan enjoys a formidable international reputation for her dramatic interpretations of the songs of Brel, Cave, Waits, Bowie and more. Dark, fierce, amusing and mesmerizing, Camille transforms each song into an intense theatrical experience, drawing her audience into a world illuminated by the dark and the light. Expect fire, ice, darkness, joy and pure passion.

Irish Times

Tickets: €20/25/30

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

CONCERT

25 Feb, 8.00pm

Spaghetti Western Orchestra
Five brilliant comic maestros perform classic Ennio Morricone soundtracks from the iconic Clint Eastwood movies The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, For A Few Dollars More and Once Upon a Time in The West recreating every punch up, gunshot, and jangling spur with hilarious effect!

Tickets: €26

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

CONCERT

Sun 26 Feb, 8.30pm

The Henry Girls

The Henry Girls are fast becoming one of the most talked about folk/roots acts to come out of the North West of Ireland in the last decade, and they are now also developing an international reputation performing overseas, including the US.

They write songs that are tuneful, catchy, and warm.

Tickets: €10/12

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

COMEDY

Wed 29 Feb –Sat 3 Mar, 8.00pm

Brendan Grace

The greatest family comedian of our generation proudly presents 40 years in the Comedy business and most of this time at the very top of his profession.

Tickets: €31

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

March

COMEDY

13 Mar, 8.00pm

Man 1, Bank 0
Man 1, Bank 0 is Patrick Combs’ amazing-but-true story of how he deposited a $95,093.35 junk-mail cheque into his own bank account and about what happens after his bank clears it. He’s rich – or is he??

Tickets: €25/20 conc

SCHOOL PLAY WITH A DIFFERENCE

2012-01-09T05:52:00.000-08:00

Please forward this email to anyone you think may be interested

To whom it concerns,

The Cork Arts Theatre is launching the 2012 student Shakespeare competition "I ♥ The Bard"which will run from the 8th March to 10th March 2012 from 7.30 pm nightly.

This is a wonderful opportunity for the students to not only perform on stage but also fundraise for their school. Each school will be allocated 20 tickets at €10 each. The money raised from these 20 tickets will go directly to your school.

We are encouraging the students to be as creative and inventive as possible in their production. The choice of play is entirely up to the school and does not necessarily need to be on the current syllabus. The competition is open to Junior and Senior cycle students.

Marketing and advertising is a vital part of theatre production, to this end students must also design their own poster advertising their production. They are also free to create their own trailer which will be uploaded to our Youtube account.

Please contact Claire Jackson 0214505624 or info@corkartstheatre.com for further information.

Thank you and Happy New Year

Cork, Kerry 2011

2011-12-31T08:01:00.000-08:00

A baker's dozen of 2011 pics from Cork and Kerry. Hope you like them.

Cork Jazz Fest

North Mall reflectioons

River Lee city sentinels

Lakes of Killarney

near Roches Point

City graffiti

Above Torc waterfall

Fitzgerald's Pk

Killarney lake

Killarney Paddy's Day

FOTA WILDLIFE PARK

2011-12-23T06:08:00.000-08:00

PICS FROM TO-DAY'S VISIT TO A SUNNY FOTA WILDLIFE PARK

Click on image to enlarge
23.12.11

HAPPY CORK CHRISTMAS

2011-12-17T06:21:00.000-08:00

Cork City 16.12.11

Click on images to enlarge

MISSING PHOTOS

2011-12-04T23:32:00.001-08:00

PHOTOS ACCIDENTALLY ERASED FROM PREVIOUS POSTS. RESTORATION WILL BEGIN SOON BUT WILL BE SLOW

TOP DRAMA-MUSIC-FILM AT OPERA HOUSE

2011-11-10T04:57:00.001-08:00

Cork Opera House Listings

2011

NOVEMBER

COMEDY

Tue 22 Nov 8.30pm, HMT

David McSavage

David McSavage is one of Ireland’s most popular comedians and street entertainers. His cutting commentary and performances cover all aspects of life and nothing is safe from his truth induced interpretations

Tickets: €18

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

THEATRE

Fri 25 7 Sat 26 Nov HMT 8.30pm

Disco Pigs

The show that launched the careers of playwright Enda Walsh, actor’s Eileen Walsh and Cillian Murphy.

It’s 1996 and two friends set out to celebrate their 17th birthdays through the bars and nightclubs of Cork city. This night the inseparable are about to separate, and which one will survive depends on which one can break free from this ever increasingly poisonous relationship.

Tickets: €10

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

DECEMBER

CINEMA

Thu 1 Dec HMT 8.30pm

Cork CineClub presents

Outside the Law

(France, Algeria 2010) 127mins
Highly controversial colonial war fought by France in Algeria from the mid 1950s until independence in 1962 brought to life in epic style.

Tickets: €8.50/€7 or 5 for €40

Booking fee may apply

CONCERT

Sat 3 Dec HMT 8.30pm

Kate Ellis

Cork Opera House musician in residence, Cellist Kate Ellis presents a night of inspired music making exploring the rich musical collaborations and cultural influences that have helped to shape her musical life.

Tickets: €15, €12

Booking fee may apply

COMEDY

Sun 4 Dec 8.00pm

Jimmy Carr

Since the turn of the century Jimmy has been a ‘fun slinger’ of international repute.

‘Laughter Therapy’ is his ninth solo show. It’ll be an evening of none stop jokes, gags and banter.

Recommended for ages 16 and older – frequent strong language.

Tickets: €35:50

Booking fee may apply

CONCERT

Thu 8 Dec 8.00pm

O’Riada Revisited - Ceoltóirí Chualann

Ceoltóirí Chualann was formed by Seán Ó Riada in 1960. Ó Riada claimed to disband the group in 1969 but he continued to perform with the group until his last concert with the ensemble in Cork City Hall in 1970. After the death of Ó Riada in 1971, Ceoltóirí Chualann was invited to perform at various commemorative events and since then the members meet up every year on Seán’s birthday.

This special concert is presented by FUAIM, Music at UCC, in association with Cork Opera House.

Tickets: €25, €20 Concession

Booking fee may apply

CINEMA

Thu 8 Dec HMT 8.30pm

Cork CineClub presents

As If I Am Not There

Ireland, Macedonia, Sweden 2010) 81mins.

Dir. Juanita Wilson

The story of a young woman from Sarajevo who finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time in 1992. Disturbing powerful and ultimately redemptive drama of the will to survive.

Tickets: €8.50/€7 or 5 for €40

Booking fee may apply

COMEDY/THEATRE

Fri 9 - Fri 23 Dec HMT 8.30pm

ITSA Theatre Company presents

The Improvised Panto

It's a different panto every night!

From the weird to the wonderful, the wacky to the wild, join us in this whole new world of Improvised Panto where we’ll sing, we’ll dance, we’ll laugh, we’ll cry, we’ll do anything you want really! Totally original, totally spontaneous, filled with lots of surprises, even for the actors.

Panto as you’ve never seen it before

Tickets: €15, €12 & Group rates Available

Booking fee may apply

COMEDY

Fri 9 Dec, 8.00pm

OMID DJALILI – TOUR OF DUTY

Multi Award winning stand-up television and movie star, Omid Djalili is back on tour with his brand new comedy show.

A firm favourite at the Edinburgh Festival with his legendary performances.

Suitable for ages 16 and over.

Tickets: €28

Booking fee may apply

CONCERT

Sat 10 Dec, 8.00pm

Christmas With The Priests

This December, Frs Eugene, Martin and David are delighted to present, Christmas With The Priests. As well as some much loved classics such as Ave Maria, Pie Jesu and Amazing Grace, the Priests will perform some of the most cherished seasonal songs of all time - everything from Ding Dong Merrily On High to O Come All Ye Faithful, Sussex Carol to Silent Night.

Tickets: €38, €36, €26

Booking fee may apply

CONCERT

Sun 11 Dec, 7.30pm

Tommy Emmanuel

Emmanuel is not an Australian guitarist, he's "the" Australian guitarist. Throughout his career he has played with many notable artists including Chet Atkins, Eric Clapton, Sir George Martin, Air Supply, John Denver, Les Paul and Doc Watson. He still plays to sold-out crowds wherever he goes.

Tickets: €26

Booking fee may apply

CINEMA

Thu 8 Dec HMT 8.30pm

Cork CineClub presents

My Afternoons With Margueritte

(France 2010) 82 mins

Small but perfectly formed, this unassuming French comedy is smart, emotionally engaging and often very funny. Essentially a coming-of-age story about a seemingly dopey middle-aged man ( the ubiquitous Gerard Depardieu); it’s also a real charmer.

Tickets: €8.50/€7 or 5 for €40

Booking fee may apply

PANTO

From 15 Dec

The Cheerios & Cork Opera House Panto

Cinderella

Don't be late for the ball!

Book bright and early to get the best seats in the house for the CHEERIOS and Cork Opera House Panto. This year it's the most beloved of all fairy-tales, Cinderella!

Join us this Christmas season as we tell the story of the most beautiful rags-to-riches heroine of them all. As usual the Cheerios and Cork Opera House panto comes with stunning scenery and costumes, superb singing and dancing, and a host of hilarious characters.

Time: 7.30pm, Matinees 1pm & 2.30pm, School performances 11am

Tickets: €25-30, Family Tickets €80 - €100, Previews €20, School Performances €20

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

CONCERT

Sun 18 Dec, 8.00pm

The Rat Pack

This ultimate musical tribute to The Rat Pack celebrates the unique talents of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr. Featuring Stephen Triffitt as Frank Sinatra (The acknowledged best interpreter of Sinatra songs in the world) and a full orchestra with singers and dancers, Frank, Dean & Sammy`s Christmas Special is the coolest Christmas party in town!

Tickets: €26

Booking fee may apply

CONCERT

Mon 19 Dec, 8.00pm

Liam Lawton

For twenty years the name of Liam Lawton has been synonymous with sacred and inspirational music.

Liam’s haunting melodies and lyrical texts have earned him many accolades and praise from many quarters. A moving night of reflection and song, not to be missed!

Special guests St. Colman's Cathedral Chamber Choir with Dominic Finn conducting.

Tickets: €26

Booking fee may apply

JANUARY

CONCERT

Fri 6 Jan, 8.00pm

Celebrating Women’s Little Christmas

Finbar Wright

Be sure to spend Little Christmas Night in the company of Finbar Wright, Ireland’s best-loved popular entertainer & award-winning recording artist, for another glorious concert packed with great humour and passionate music.

Tickets: €33.50, €36

Booking fee may apply

CONCERT

Sun 8 Jan, 8.00pm

Crystal Swing All Stars Show

Crystal Swing comprises Mary Murray-Burke and her son and daughter, Derek and Dervla Burke.

Since their appearance on Rural TV's 'Hot Country' show in January, 2010, the band has become an international hit - their website and YouTube videos attracting over three million hits to date, from across the globe, while Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites are all in animated discussion about the band.

Tickets: €26

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

Cork Opera House booking information

Book online: * www.corkoperahouse.ie

Book by phone: *021-4270022

Reflections of Cork this sunny November's morning

2011-11-06T05:09:00.000-08:00

Reflections of Cork this sunny November's morning while walking from North Mall to Wellington Bridge and back

ROCHE'S POINT TO WHITING BAY

2011-10-13T07:42:00.000-07:00

Out and about on the eastern flank of Cork Harbour today, taking in Roche's Point, some buffalo in a nearby field and Whiting Bay. Temperature was up around the 18 degree mark and the sun was out.
Photos: Whiting Bay, Whiting Bay with Fort Carlisle in background, dog play, dog piddle, Roche's Point in distance and close-up, starfish and inquisitive buffalo.

River Lee This Morning

2011-09-27T04:49:00.000-07:00

Cobh Blues Festival 2011

2011-09-24T09:52:00.001-07:00

Cobh Blues Festival 2011

Check it out here

"Nothing like the blues.

Laugh until you cry.

Could have sworn the sky was blue.”

Harry Manx is singing the blues on the iPod thismorning but yesterday we had them live in Cobh and yes the sun was shining, thesky blue as the blues were played on the promenade. No guarantee of sun todaybut the blues continue. Check it out here.

Cobh was looking well in the sunshine as a recordplayed over the speakers. While the Karl Long led group prepared, we took astroll to the east, to “exotic” places such as The Preacher’s Steps, The HolyGround and The Bench. Cobh, of course, has many more attractions, nowincluding a Spike Island visit.

Back then to the promenade to let the music soakin with the sunshine. For those of you long in the tooth, Karl is son of DonLong who played with the Capitol Showband and Karl’s son now plays with him inCobh.

Rory Gallagher songs featured and that broughtmemories back to me of the Cobh Regatta night in the early sixties when I sawRory perform in the now boarded up St Coleman’s Hall with a showband called theFontana.

Time then for a drink and headed into the nearby Kelly’sBar where I supped an exquisite pint of Murphy’s as the Brittany Ferries Pont Avenslipped by past the open door. Could have sworn the sky was blue!

UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS at FOTA HOUSE

2011-09-21T01:47:00.000-07:00

FOTA HOUSE

Fota House, originally a modest hunting lodge, was the home of the Smith-Barry family. In the 1820s, John Smith-Barry decided to make it the main residence and leading architects were employed. A Regency style design was picked and, in 1872, a billiards room and conservatory were added and the house has remained more or less unchanged to the present day.

I called there yesterday and paid my six euro for a fascinating guided tour, first through the living quarters and then through the servants area. Upstairs, downstairs! You had to know your place here. Guests were alerted by doors hung with green baize that they were entering the forbidden servants’ area. The servants, working down in the kithens, were unable to see the goings on in the gardens as their view was blocked by a well placed hedge.

The place is very impressive: the entrance hall with its columns, the plasterwork, the outstanding dining room, the well equipped kitchen area and the game carousel in the larder area. And I haven't even mentioned the art collection.

You may read about it all here (house, gardens and arboretum) on the excellent website http://www.fotahouse.com

After the tour, we headed for the walled gardens, so well laid out and cared for. A great place for photographers and I met a group there from the City busily snapping, delighted with the colours and shapes, the borders, the rose garden and the Italian garden, among other attractions. I also took time to call to the nearby orangery and here are a few trees with some fruit, as you can see in the collage.

Then we took the longer walk around the arboretum. Again so many shapes, sizes and colours (mainly of the autumnal variety as reds and yellows dominate, especially down by the water).

Total time for the visit was a little over two hours, an hour inside and one outside. In addition to the six euro admittance charge (the gardens and arboretum are free), a parking charge of three euro per car applies. Well worth it!

If you have any queries on the photos, just let me know or maybe have a search on the Fota site. http://www.fotahouse.com

FACES FROM FOTA

2011-09-08T05:52:00.000-07:00

BOOK OF LISMORE at GLUCKSMAN

2011-09-08T01:25:00.000-07:00

TOWN STROLL

UCC to Lancaster Quay

Got the bus to the Western Road on Tuesday and walked into UCC which is a busy place this week. In the news too and a camera crew were filming in the quad. I was on my way to the Lewis Glucksman Gallery in the grounds to see the Book of Lismore.

There are many tales, in excellent 15th century handwriting, in this book, also known as Leabhar MacCarthaigh Riabhach but, as you suspect, you will see just two pages through the glass. However, there is quite a lot of back-up material, including various related manuscripts and also a digital presentation where you may scroll through a few pages in detail.

Glucksman claim that it has “never been publicly displayed until now” but I’m pretty sure it was on display in the heritage centre in Lismore itself. However, there must surely be a case for having it on permanent display somewhere in the country and preferably in Cork where it originated.

In Other Words (the place of text in recent art) is the other exhibition in the gallery at present. For me, only the Massive Angry Sculpture piece (pictured) stood out.

I call here regularly enough but quite often find myself on my own in this fantastic gallery. There were just two other people there Tuesday morning. In fairness to the Glucksman, they are making big efforts to draw the public in and one way is through a whole range of autumn events, events that offer, among other things, art courses to juniors and seniors. Details here.

There are some large windows in the gallery and the one to the east offers a decent view down the Western Road and I headed in that direction, past the new River Lee Hotel and the view to the cathedral (pictured). Also took a picture of the heron, standing patiently on a tree branch lodged in the middle of the channel at Lancaster Quay. He is a regular here, I’m told.

FORT CAMDEN

2011-08-30T00:13:00.000-07:00

FORT CAMDEN

Crosshaven’s Fort Camden, open every Saturday and Sunday (12 noon) ‘tilthe end of September, is well worth a visit and the paltry three euro admissioncharge. There is a lot to see here, even though the restoration efforts by RescueCamden Committee in conjunction with the County Council and FAS have still someway to go.

The highlight for me was the Bright Tunnel that takes you from the paradeground down to the shore. Don’t worry; it is quite a wide tunnel. There areloads of steps but lots of landings as well to take a breather.

You may also see the engine room for the Brennan Torpedo, regarded as theworld’s first practical guided torpedo and you can get much information on this well preserved classical coastal artillery site at http://www.rescuecamden.ie

There is a lovely atmosphere here, thanks largely to thevolunteers that staff the site. They are properly proud of their place and arevery willing to share their knowledge and help in any way. If you need to takea break, you can have tea and coffee and pick from a selection of cakes andscones. The prices are very reasonable. Last Saturday, a cup of tea and a sconecost me €2.50.

The cafe, now on the parade ground, may well move to a more scenicposition, with a great view out over the harbour, towards Cobh and Fort Carlisle,next season. And it is also on the cards, that another, even larger tunnel,with a spiral staircase, will also be open to the public.

Some rooms have been restored and a few are being used forexhibitions. Last weekend was the first of two weekends for the brand new exhibition in the Gallery with localartist June Fitzgerald and friends. This features paintings of some wellknown local scenes.

The Camden Art Commission is also open and will run until the end ofSeptember. Five incredibly talented artists display their interpretationof the Fort in different mediums including Visual art, Poetry, Water, Metaland Naval architecture.

My favourite (hidden behind black curtains) is perhaps the Inner Sea byJulia Pallone), a water installation that reflects the history of the place, notto mention the windows of the room in which it stands.

No shortage of variety here and it will only get better and in a fewshort years could well be one of the top attractions in the country. Remember,some sixty per cent of the fort is underground. So this is your chance to getdown to Crosshaven and see the work in progress. Very enjoyable and suitablefor kids.

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE

2011-08-16T10:54:00.000-07:00

My name's fox elipsus :) coming over to Ireland fromNew York for my first ever concert in Cork... sorry to bother you, don't knowanyone in town so telling all my fb friends... my songs are about peace &environment, inspired by Lennon and such... the live show is comical & freefor all ages... sleeping in the car to make the tour possible, so since it'sfree, was hoping you might come & bring lots of family & friends, kidswelcome :) my Mammy was from Ireland so coming here to sing is special forme... details below xx

Sat 27th Aug, starts 7pm - CORK
Tribes Coffee Shop, 8 Tuckey St

Earlier on Sat 27th: Nudefood Cafe in Dungarvan @ Noon, also Thu 25th 7pmDublin, Fri 26th 6pm Waterford, Sun 28th 6pm Limerick, Mon 29th 6pm Galway, Tue30th 6pm Belfast, check sites for info. oh & do you know any cheap localfood places? kebabs curries chippy, Irish food, anything really?

Your friend - fox elipsus xx
(vids @ youtube.com/foxelipsus -cds @ elipsus.net )"

BARRYSCOURT CASTLE (and Orchard)

2011-08-16T01:11:00.000-07:00

EXCELLENT CASTLE TOUR

Click to enlarge

Enjoyed last week’s visit to Carrigtwohill’s 16th century Barryscourt Castle (including guided tour), gardens and orchard last week. All for free! Not even a parking charge.

I have been here every now and then over the years but this was the first time I took the tour. The castle has been extensively renovated since my first visit (about 1982). It was fascinating to see the medieval security arrangements at the door, the dark dungeon, the internal kitchen (the main one was outside, across the bawn), the Great Hall and the vessels and plates and so on, the furnished bedroom and the small chapel.

Fascinating too to learn the history of the Barry family and its various branches but especially of the Barrymores who lived here. Fortunes went up and down over the centuries and people influencing events in Ireland, such as Queen Elizabeth the first, Walter Raleigh, Cromwell, Hugh O’Neill and so on, also influenced events here in this now tranquil corner of East Cork.

Details and pictures of orchard visit here.

SEPTEMBER AT THE OPERA HOUSE

2011-08-15T09:49:00.000-07:00

SEPTEMBER

MUSICAL/COMEDY

Tues 6 - Sat 10 September 8PM

The All-Star Wars

A musical comedy
by
Bryan Flynn & Kevin McCormack

The ALL STAR Wars returns to Cork Opera House after a roaring success with its Irish premiere. The gags, both verbal and visual come thick and fast in this smash hit comedy.

Tickets: €15, €20, €25

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

CONCERT

Fri 9 - Sat 10 September, Half Moon Theatre 8PM

Singing Nina

‘Singing Nina’ is the fabulous new show brought to you by the Chicago Jazz Queen, Karen Underwood and her band. Karen sings all the classic Nina songs, “‘Missippi Goddamn’, ‘Sinnerman’, ‘My Baby’ and ‘I Need a Little Sugar In My Bowl’.

Tickets: €12, €16

Booking fee may apply

OPERA

Thu 15 – Sat 17 Sep, 8pm

Dido and Aeneas
In February 2011 Cork audiences were blown away by this masterpiece. Cork’s very own international stars Cara O’Sullivan, Majella Cullagh and Mary Hegarty reunite to perform together in Henry Purcell’s exquisite masterpiece, based on the Roman poet Virgil’s tragic story of Queen Dido and her Trojan lover, Aeneas.

Tickets: €20

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

THEATRE/COMEDY

Tues 20 Sept - Sat 24 Sept

THE SUNBEAM GIRLS 2

It’s 1963. JFK is coming to Cork. The girls uncover a plot against the President. When nobody believes them they take it upon themselves to run to his rescue in their own inimitable style!

Tickets: €26

Booking fee may apply

Limited Early Bird Tickets Available

THEATRE

Wed 28 - Sat 1 Oct, Half Moon Theatre 8PM

A Serving OF Pinter

Clinic Media and MooCow Theatre present a compilation of three of Harold Pinter’s most celebrated short plays.

Tickets: €12, €15. €10 preview ticket available

Booking fee may apply

CINECLUB

Thurs 29 Sept, Half Moon Theatre, 8PM

Life, Above All

The story of a young girl struggling against a host of South Africa’s challenges, aimed as much at teenagers as at art-house enthusiasts.

Tickets: €8.50, concessions €7.00

OCTOBER

COMEDY

Sat 1 Oct

Katherine Lynch

Leitrim funny lady KATHERINE LYNCH is back and bolder than ever with her, no holes barred, pull no punches, “If ya don’t like it there’s the bleedin’ door”, LIVE comedy show, “THE HACK OF YA TOUR”.

Tickets: €30

Booking fee may apply

THE LAVIT

2011-08-06T07:15:00.000-07:00

BOLD GIRLS and more at the CAT

2011-08-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

OPENING ON AUGUST 10th

Cork Arts Theatre are delighted to present Bold Girls by Rona Munro. Directed by our own Dolores Mannion, it stars some of Cork finest actors: Marie O'Donovan, Martina Carroll, Antoinette Hilliard and Fionula Linehan

Geraldine Aron's A Galway Girl opens on 17th and later Lunchtime Theatre returns with Lady Gregory's Spreading the News.

More details on the programme here .

It promises to be a fantastic production and we are thrilled to present this excellent play to the people of Cork.

COBH PEOPLE’S REGATTA

2011-08-04T04:20:00.000-07:00

COBH PEOPLE’S REGATTA

Fun and games, on land and water, plus dancing, singing and a Parade ofQueens all feature in the packed programme for this year’s Cobh People’sRegatta. From Friday’s opening Wheelbarrow Race to the spectacular fireworks displayon Sunday night, you are sure to find something that brightens up your weekend.Cobh is always a great place for a visit and now you have all these attractionsas well as the lively east Cork town puts its best foot forward.

There is a list of events below and you can get more info here at the official website and also keep an eye on the updates in the Cobh Edition on Facebook http://cobhedition.com/

Friday12th Aug

7-15pm - Wheelbarrow Race, Drag Wheelbarrow Race from Collaiste Muire to MainStage
8-15pm - Regatta Dancers, Sinead Shepard's School of Dance, and Cobh YouthServices and Local talent take to the Main Stage
9-00pm - Official opening of the Regatta Weekend.
9-30pm - Parade of Queens from The Commodore Hotel to Main Stage for aninterview with Cllr Micheal Martin.
10-00pm - Open Air Concert on Main Stage with Pat Fitz ( you’re a Star Contestant )
11-00pm - Festival Club in the Commodore Hotel with Club C and Slim Sheedytribute band playing in the Jack Doyle Room.

Sat 13th Aug

1-45pm - Firing of the First Gun to start the Dinghy Sailing Programme.
2-30pm - Fancy Dress Parade from Lynches Quay to the Promenade where there’slots of activities including Bouncy Castles,Clowns, Face Paining, Fancy DressCompetition8-12years, Mini Queen Competition 8-12 years, Pretty PrincessCompetition4-7 years, Mini King Competition 8-12 Years, and Handsome Prince 4-7years. Kiddies Disco ect.
3-00pm - Rowing starts at Pier Head, up to 10 Races,
6-00pm - TUG OF WAR starts in front of Main Stage.
7-00pm - Open Air Concert starts with Aces Wild
7-45pm - Rob The Nation Takes to the Main Stage.
9-00pm - U2OPIA Takes to the Main Stage
11-00pm - Festival Club in the Commodore Hotel with Club C and the KieranKramer Band in the Commodore Hotel.

Sunday 14th Aug

Full Sailing Programme also takes place throughout the day today

1-00pm - Strong Man Competition Starts.
1-30pm - Firing of First Gun to start Cruiser Sailing Programme.
3-00pm - Children's Crab Fishing Competition starts.
3-00pm - Open Air Concert with Cobh's Own Dirty Secret.
4-30pm - Children's Art Competition starts in the Promenade.
6-00pm - Stone Skimming Competition starts at Kennedy Pier.
6-45pm - Cobh Fisherman’s Trawler Race starts at Kennedy Pier.
7-00pm - Open Air Concert on Main Stage with the Urge.
8-15pm - Announcement of the Regatta Queen 2011.
9-00pm - Open Air Concert with the Kieran Kramer Band .
10-00pm - Grand Finally our Specular Fire Works Display.
11-00pm - The Kieran Kramer Band on Main Stage.
11-00pm - Festival Club in the Commodore Hotel with Club C and Deuces Wild playing Live in the Jack Doyle Room.

For further information on our Queen Contestants or Band Profiles, Kidsactivities Please Purchase our Regatta Programme 2011 from our local shops Priced at only €2.00each.

We also Badly Need Volunteers to help us with many of our activities over theweekend and if you can help please call 087 6617969 asap!!

Sponsorship for the event as follows:

Main Sponsor - The Commodore HotelCobh
Queen Competition Sponsor - Supermacs
Cobh Town Council
SECAD

Media Partners
Evening Echo
Cobh Edition
Cobh Calls

Cobh & Harbour Chamber
Cobh Credit Union
Cobh Tourism

Great News from Cork Arts Theatre

2011-07-27T08:22:00.001-07:00

Cork Arts Theatre presents Bold Girls from the 10th - 20th August. Tickets are available from Cork Arts Theatre box office 021 4505624. Ticket price €15 & €12 concession. Special; Monday-Wednesday two tickets for €20.

Cork Arts Theatre's Artistic Director Dolores Mannion will be at the helm of this production. Dolores has previously brought us a wealth of productions including: The Cage, Knowing Cairo and Over The Pub to name 3 of the 86 plays she has directed. read more

CRAICHOUSE RETURNS TO ROB ROY

2011-07-27T03:35:00.001-07:00

Saturday, July 30 at 9:30pm - July 31 at 12:30am

The Rob Roy, 28 Cook Street, Cork

Cork Craichouse

Damo Clark has been confirmed as our first headliner. We have one of the best comedians in the country to headline this awesome new
show!!
"Republic of Telly's" crazy Aussie roving reporter and the star of RTE's "I Dare Ya" comes to the Craichouse to open her up with an insane BANG!!!
Stay tuned for more on the night itself!!

As seen on IFTA Award winning Republic of Telly, I Dare Ya & Tubridy Tonight
Aussie Damian Clark burst into the Irish & UK comedy circuit in 2005 and within weeks was hailed ‘The Number 1 event to see' and 'Cream of the crop’ (InDublin Magazine). After several acclaimed TV performances in Australia plus two prestigious comedy awards under his belt, Damo moved to Ireland where teaming up with fellow comic Andrew Stanley, wrote and co-starred in RTE TV’s I Dare Ya (‘Critics’ Choice’ - The Irish Times, ‘A smash hit’ - The Sunday Mirror) which was the highest rating debut of an Irish TV comedy show to date. Since then, Clark has written and performed for such shows as The Republic of Telly, IFTA Nominated Best Entertainment Program - The Savage Eye, The Apprentice: You're Fired! semi final and his appearance on Katherine Lynch’s Wonder Women was voted on TV3 as ‘one of the funniest moments on Irish TV in the past 50 years’. Now Damo headlines clubs all over Ireland, the UK, Europe and is the founder & regular host of The Comedy Shed, north side Dublin's leading alternative comedy club since it started in 2008.
"A relentless onslaught of crippling laughs." - The Skinny, UK
"The best that comedy can be" - The Age, Melbourne
"Hilariously daft…unforgettable stuff" - Chortle.co.uk
"This guy's a diamond." - Inpress, Melbourne
"Comedy Gold" - Derry News
"There is barely a bad word to say about Clark: distinctive and possessing a comic talent beyond his years, both biological and mental" -Chortle.co.uk

In support we have the ridiculously awesome, and TEDFEST Award Winning Mr. Edwin Sammon.
Edwin, a native of Offally (we all have a cross to bear) is probably one of the most unique thinking but incredibly funny comedian you will see this year. Making a quick dash from the Indie-pendence Music/comedy fest that evening , you will not be sorry you got to see this guy.

Your host for the evening is Tom "the Bear" O' Mahony, a Cork based comedian, with his sniper-style observational-accuracy and tales from his insane lifestyle with hilarious consequences takes the audience on a unique comedic journey that truly brings the house down every time her performs. Playing alongside acts like, Jo Caulfield, PJ Gallagher, Patrick McDonnell.
Based in Cork, Tom is steamrolling the Southern Irish scene as one of the most sought after headline acts.
“Tom The Bear lives up to his name, with a sniper-style accuracy, nothing is off limits and they love him for it. This crowd favourite is the next big thing”: Peoplesrepublicofcork.com

LOCATION DETAILS: For those of you who don't know, The Rob Roy is on Cook street, just off Oliver Plunkett Street, in the middle of the city! Here's a map showing it's location (tagged "B") and a walking route from the old Craichouse venue, the LV Bar (Tagged A). Rob Roy is The Red Pub. See you there!!http://goo.gl/6w9KE

AUGUST AT THE OPERA HOUSE

2011-07-26T01:16:00.000-07:00

AUGUST AT THE OPERA HOUSE

MUSICAL

Dates: OpensTue 2 August

Time: 2.30pm& 8pm

Presented ByBill Kenwright, Written By Willy Russell

BLOOD BROTHERS

Theinternational smash hit musical returns to Cork from 2nd August for 3 weeks!After a number of sell-out runs during the nineties and noughties, Corkaudiences can’t get enough of this musical masterpiece, and what would BloodBrothers be without the first lady of Irish musical theatre, Rebecca Storm?

Tickets: Mon-Thurseve & Sat/Sun mat: €26, €33.50, €41. Family ticket: €100 Wed mat: €29.50.

Familyticket: €80 Sat/Sun eve: €31, €38.50, €46. Family ticket: €110 Limited EarlyBird Tickets Available.

Booking feemay apply

LimitedEarly Bird Tickets Available

CONCERT

Fri26 8pm

The Gloaming

The Gloamingis a collective of remarkable individual talents who share a musical aesthetic.The five came together to explore new music at Grouse Lodge Studios is WestMeath in early 2011. At once they made music that is at once both ancient andutterly new. New York pianist Bartlett, sean-nos singer Ó Lionaird, Chicagoguitarist Cahill, fiddler and hardanger innovator Ó Raghallaigh and fiddlemaster Hayes is a group of virtuoso musicians yet it is a band with a sound allof its own. Sparse and beautiful. Authentic and tune- filled. And capable ofraucous power.Tickets: €26

Booking feemay apply

LimitedEarly Bird Tickets Available

WALK THE LINE

2011-07-26T01:03:00.000-07:00

BLACKROCK RAILWAY WALK

Once up a time you could get a train from Albert Road to Passage/Monkstownvia Blackrock and Rochestown. These days you may walk the line.

The rails of course are long gone and the walk starts at the easternand of the Atlantic Pond though you may of course, for old time’s sake, startat the site of the old station on Albert Road, probably best known to many ofyou as the place where Carey’s Tools now do business. The line opened in 1850and closed in 1932.

If you join by the Atlantic Pond as I did last week, you will comeacross some remains (watch for red brick) of the railway furniture. The path willtake you through Blackrock and out over the ring road, west of Mahon Point, andsoon you’ll meet another path (that comes from Blackrock Castle).

From here, you may continue for as long as you wish, to Rochestown orfurther, or you may go back via the Castle, or just walk back directly toAtlantic Pond. This is quite a network of walks and it is a popular one. Also aclean one as the part that runs along the old railway has been paved over.

BANTRY HOUSE VISIT

2011-07-20T01:05:00.000-07:00

BANTRY HOUSE

Front gardens

Many of you already know that Bantry is aterrific base for a holiday. Great scenery, terrific food, helpful people atevery turn.

Sometimes, more often than you’d think, youget the sunshine as well. I got it last week on a day trip that included stopsat Mannings Emporium and the Ewe Sculpture Garden . The final visit was to Bantry House, with its centuries of history, itsmagnificent gardens, lovely woodland walks and splendid views, all for a tenner.

Dining Room

From top of the 100 steps

Started with a walk throughthe lower gardens. Here there are 14 large round beds, cannons, statues and large potsand terrific views over Bantry Bay. Then at the other side of house, we foundthe 100 steps which take you up through a series of terraces to an even moremagnificent view, out over the house. Back down then by a wood land walk, thisnamed The Old Ladies, a walk that you can also take up from the house if the 100 stepsare too much.

After a long period ofneglect (from the 1930s to the 1970s), restoration began. Itis still a work in progress. Much remains to be done but do go there now andvisit this splendid place.

Bantry House is theancestral home of the Earls of Bantry, still lived in by their descendantEgerton and Brigitte Shelswell-White, and their family. The Queen Ann house hasbeen in the family since 1820. Not alone can you visit, you may also stay hereand indeed you may get married here in the Gobelin Drawing Room, go out to thegardens for the photos and come back in for your reception.

Upstairs, there is amagnificent library room and some of the bedrooms (and their adjoining dressingrooms) are also open to the public. Here too you will see a fascinating Doll’sHouse (I had to drag someone away fromit!) and again, from the big windows, enjoy the views over the bay.

The house, containing its importantcollection of furniture, tapestries and objets d'art has been open to thepublic since 1946. It also hosts various literary and musical festivals andnext up is the Master of Tradition (9^th to 14^th of August2011).

But even if your visit doesn't coincidewith a festival, the house and gardens are well worth a trip, even a long one. Inthe past few years, I’ve seen some of the big chateaus in France and can tellyou that Bantry House is a match for many of them.

THE EWE

2011-07-18T01:34:00.000-07:00

Check out the amazing EWE Experience here

Click to enlarge

FOTA HOUSE & GARDENS

2011-07-12T00:04:00.000-07:00

FOTA HOUSE & GARDENS

Had an hour or two to spare on Sunday morning so I headed down tothe Fota House and Gardens for a stroll around. There is a new car park therenow, separate from the Wildlife Park, though it shares the same entrance andcosts the same three euro. When you walk in from the car park, you will see, onyour left, a magnificent specimen: a huge 1847 Monterey Cypress.

The house was looking well and I enjoyed my walk around thearboretum. Perhaps the most colourful tree at the moment is the 1960 ChineseCornus.

The one disappointment on this occasion was that the walledgardens were closed up. They don't open on Sundays until 2.00pm – so keep thatin mind! Entry is free though there is a charge if you want a tour of thehouse, There is also a restaurant in the house.

UPDATE: THE REICH EFFECT

2011-07-11T07:29:00.000-07:00

FESTIVAL

Wed 27 – Sun 31

The Reich Effect

Cork Opera House is proud to present The Reich Effect, a five day festival marking the 75^th year of the Pulitzer Prize winning composer, Steve Reich. See more information at www.reicheffect.tumblr.com.

Exclusive festival tickets, a special package of 5 shows for only €100, will also be available from Cork Opera House.

REICH EFFECT: FILM - INTERVIEW

Wed 27 July 8pm

STEVE REICH PHASE TO FACE SCREENING

(a film by Eric Darmon & Frank Mallet)
Followed by Steve Reich public interview with John Kelly

Tickets: €20

Booking fee may apply

REICH EFFECT: CONCERT

Thu 28, Sat 30 & Sun 31 July, 7pm

THE QUIET CLUB

The Quiet Club are Mick O’Shea and Danny McCarthy, pushing the boundaries of sound making and listening by employing a wide range of devices ranging from theremins to homemade instruments and stones.They will be joined by a number of special guests, including Kate Ellis, John Godfrey and more.

REICH EFFECT: CONCERT

Thu 28 July, 6pm

COUNTERPOINT

The opening concert of The Reich Effect brings together some of Ireland’s most talented musicians to perform four classics from the Reich canon. Counterpoint is a series of works for soloists accompanied by pre-recorded layers of themselves with the live player participating in the on-going counterpoint as well as more extended melodies.

Tickets: €20.00

Booking fee may apply

REICH EFFECT: CONCERT

Thu 28 July, 8pm

KRONOS QUARTET

After winning the Polar Music Prize Award 2011 and also the prestigious Avery Fisher Prize, Cork Opera House are thrilled to have such esteemed musicians in our midst to be part of what promises to be a remarkable festival celebrating the work of Reich.

Tickets: €38.50

Booking fee may apply

REICH EFFECT: CONCERT, CLUB

Thu 28 July 10pm The Half Moon Theatre

KALEIDOSCOPE FOLLOWED BY DONAL DINEEN

Kaleidoscope Night is curated by Kate Ellis and Clíodhna Ryan and has quickly become a hot ticket event on the musical calendar in Ireland.
Kaleidoscope Night will be performed by some of Ireland's finest musicians, including Kate Ellis & Clíodhna Ryan themselves, Deirdre Moynihan, Linda Buckley, Marja Gaynor, Malachy Robinson, James Taylor, Owen Gunnell and a whole host of other Irish talents. This special event will be followed by DJ extraordinaire Donal Dineen.

Tickets: €20

Booking fee may apply

REICH EFFECT: CONCERT

Fri 29 July, 6pm

Drumming

This performance features musicians O Duo, (Owen Gunnell & Oliver Cox), Stephen Kelly and Alex Petcu Colan. Cork Opera House has commissioned Nic Gareiss to choreograph and perform Clapping Music as part of this concert.
Tickets: €20

Booking fee may apply

REICH EFFECT: CONCERT

Fri 29 July, 8pm at City Hall

RTÉ CORK PROMS - RTÉ Concert Orchestra

The RTÉ Concert Orchestra explore the Reich effect at work in composers Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead, Kjartan Sveinsson of Sigur Rós and Nico Muhly, as well as performing Eight Lines by Steve Reich himself.

Tickets: €30

Booking fee may apply

REICH EFFECT: CLUB

Fri 29 July 10pm at The Pavillion Club

Reich Festival Club

This evening is presented in association with Electric Underground and features performances by Boxcutter and Toby Kaar, and the finalists of the REICH DRUMMING REMIX COMPETITION.

Tickets: €10

Booking fee may apply

REICH EFFECT: CONCERT

Sat 30 July, 6pm at The Firkin Crane

Phases

Featuring performances by Ciara Moroney, Micheal Joyce and Lizabeth Cooney, with dance commission by Nic Gareiss. Phases sprang from Steve Reich's 1965 experiment with recorded tapes of a Pentecostal preacher’s voice.

Tickets: €20

Booking fee may apply

REICH EFFECT: CONCERT

Sat 30 July 8pm

LONDON SINFONIETTA AND SYNERGY VOCALS

One of the world’s most influential contemporary music ensembles, the London Sinfonietta, perform Reich’s seminal Music for 18 Musicians. They are joined bySynergy Vocals for the iconic blend of voices and instruments, filled with recurring phrases and gently shimmering harmonies and regularly shifting patter.

Tickets: €38.50

Booking fee may apply

REICH EFFECT: CONCERT

Sat 30 July 10pm at the Savoy Theatre Club

EFTERKLANG WITH DANÍEL BJARNASON AND THEIR MESSING ORCHESTRA

Efterklang + Daniel Bjarnason & Their Messing Orchestra is a special 17 piece band that debuted at the Cross Linx festival tour in February earlier this year. It is Efterklang with Daniel James (of Canon Blue) on guitar, Heather Broderick on piano and Peter Broderick on vibes and steel drum.
They will be joined by the brilliant Icelandic composer Daniel Bjarnason on Rhodes.

Tickets: €25

Booking fee may apply

REICH EFFECT: CONCERT

Sun 31 July 6pm at Triskel Christchurch

JOHANN JOHANNSSON WITH THE ISKRA STRING QUARTET

Jóhann Jóhannsson is an Icelandic musician, composer and producer. Firmly t the forefront of adventurous music in Iceland, Johann’s stately, slow-building and hauntingly melodic music has been quietly bewitching listeners for years.

Tickets: €20

Booking fee may apply

REICH EFFECT: CONCERT

Sun 31 July, 8pm

CRASH ENSEMBLE

Ireland’s foremost contemporary music ensemble perform a magnificent programme with Íarla Ó Lionáird and Gavin Friday. Since 1997, Crash has attracted enthusiastic audiences to its ground-breaking new music concert experiences, engaging the most adventurous music of today

Tickets: €25

Booking fee may apply

SUMMER IN BACK GARDEN

2011-07-03T06:46:00.000-07:00

(02.07.11) Click to enlarge

CORK ARTS THEATRE

2011-07-02T04:50:00.000-07:00

See Wedding Blitz at Cork Arts Theatre

The Cork Arts Theatre have a packed schedule for July--

The Lunchtime Theatre Season is in its second month and it's going fantastically well.

For details on this and all the other CAT events click here

MALLOW HOME and GARDEN FESTIVAL

2011-07-02T02:02:00.000-07:00

Click to enlarge

NEW KINSALE ART GALLERY

2011-06-30T14:34:00.000-07:00

Check out these photos from the opening.

THE GALLERY: NEW IN KINSALE

The bigger risk? Painting in the lands of a rain forest tribe in Borneo or opening a new art gallery in these recessionary times. That question came up at a pleasant function in Kinsale last evening when Fishy Fishy’s Martin Shanahan opened a third Cork gallery for Buckley Fine Art.

Martin hangs art in his restaurant and at home and one of his favourite artists is Philip Gray who may well succeed the restaurateur as Mr Kinsale. Buckley presented the Kinsale Collection by Gray as their opening offering and it certainly went down well.

Gray revealed that he feels at home in Kinsale. And the series of pictures of the town, and of the seas in general, underline this affinity. Not many inland people would have experienced a scene like The Velvet Night.

Many of the sea pictures are large but there are some smaller works on view including those of local familiar foodie landmarks Fishy Fishy and The Bulman.

The quiet Kinsale works are somewhat surprising for Gray, now well known for his extreme painting. He has worked on Everest, in hot and close proximity to an Icelandic volcano and underwater on a wreck where some large hungry looking sharks circled.

Gray though will soon again leave behind the peace and quiet of Kinsale and his Cork Dockyard studio to head to the rain forests of Borneo to once again paint in extreme conditions.

At a recent exhibition of his in the Cork Vision centre, members of the opening night audience each had a chance to put their mark on a canvas. Gray finished it off and it now hangs in Cork Airport. A similar plan is in train for Borneo. A blank canvas will be set up for the villagers with each individual asked to make his mark.

Gray will then finish the work which will later be auctioned off in aid of the rain forest.

Best of luck with that Philip and best of luck also to the Buckleys, Ken and Mark, who will hope to be kept very busy with their galleries in Clonakilty, Cork City (Fenns Quay) and now Kinsale.

CORK OPERA HOUSE

2011-05-23T04:30:00.000-07:00

Busy June ahead....

Cork Opera House Listings

2011

JUNE

COMEDY

Fri 3 & Sat 4, 8pm

Lee Evans – Roadrunner

The legendary Lee Evans embarks on his most ambitious tour to date. ROADRUNNER is Lee’s amazing new show with over 50 nights in the biggest arenas in the country. Lee will be playing to more fans than ever on this record-breaking tour of the UK and Ireland.

Please note Lee will be performing from notes.

Tickets:€31

Booking fee may apply

FESTIVAL

Sat 4 June, Half Moon Theatre

Rhythm Rebelz Productions presents
Sick Steps

Cork will see its first ever hip hop festival take place from 3 - 6 June. The weekend festival line-up includes a breakdance contest, Sick Steps, in the Half Moon Theatre. Competitors from Ireland, Switzerland, Poland, England, Scotland, South Africa and Nigeria will be judged by world champion breakdancer, Mouse, and Tuff Tim Twist, an original member of Rock Steady Crew. Sick Steps will go on until approximately 9pm.

Tickets: :€10 in advance; €15 on the door

Booking fee may apply

CONCERT

Tue 7 June, 8pm

MCD Presents Ryan Adams

Ryan Adams makes his eagerly awaited return to the stage adding Cork to the short run of solo acoustic dates this June – don’t miss this rare chance to see an intimate acoustic performance from the Cardinals front man. Adams is currently working with producer Glyn Johns on his first collection of all new studio material since 2008's Cardinology.

Tickets:€41.70, €46.70

Booking fee may apply

DANCE

Sat 11 June, 7.30pm

Dance Offering 2011

Presented by students from the Alan Foley Academy of Dance, accompanied by dancers from Cork City Ballet and the full-time dance students from CSN Dance and directed and produced by course director Alan Foley, this production will showcase the varied talents of the students – ranging from classical ballet (Le Corsaire) to energetic hip-hop and jazz dance (Ne-Yo, Lady Gaga and Jessie J), and a touch of oriental.

Tickets: €16, €21, €26.

CONCERT

Thu 16 & Fri 17 June, 8pm

Cork Opera House presents as part of Cork Midsummer Festival 2011

Foté Foré

Foté Foré (Black White) is a life told in acrobatics, dance and music - a life ingeniously paved together mixing the traditional beat of the African djembe drum, lithe acrobatic skill and modern day hip hop with sweet street moves thrown in. On stage, nine amazing performers - circus artists, dancers, and a contortionist - reinvent, with a fiery energy, their friendship and their street games. Suitable for children 5 years and over.

Presented by Cirque Mandingue

Time:8pm

Tickets: Adult €18, Child €12, Family ticket €50

Booking fee may apply

CONCERT

Sat 18 June, 8pm

Cork Opera House presents as part of Cork Midsummer Festival 2011

Penguin Café Orchestra

Penguin Café’s music has infiltrated daily life from films like Napoleon Dynamite to countless theme tunes, and they’ve played festivals from Bestival and The Big Chill to the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms. Their sound is at once familiar and new, combining acoustic power and a beguiling, feisty charm. Their album A Matter of Life is out now.

Time:8pm

Tickets:€25

Booking fee may apply

OPERA

Fri 24 & Sat 25 June, 8pm

Cork Opera House presents as part of Cork Midsummer Festival 2011

Hotel Pro Forma presents

Tomorrow In A Year – A Darwin Electric Opera by The Knife

It is 150 years since Charles Darwin published the The Origin of Species, forever changing our view of the world as a result of the theory of evolution.

Six dancers and three performers of different ages and builds represent evolution of movement. They personify methods of observation and represent the notion of inevitable change and time itself.

In collaboration with the Swedish avant-garde group, The Knife, a musical composition is created and presented visually which undergoes first an evolution of development followed by a series of mutations.

Running time approximately 80 minutes.

Tickets: €31, €33, €38.

CONCERT

Sun 26 June, 8pm

Cork Opera House presents as part of Cork Midsummer Festival 2011

Playing For Change

What began as a PBS documentary with the lofty goal of fostering hope and inspiration through music has now become a worldwide phenomenon. Grammy award winning producer Mark Johnson travelled the world, recording and filming street musicians of different faiths, backgrounds, and ethnicities, then blended their contributions into one unified and moving performance. The final product aired as a documentary on PBS called Playing For Change: Peace Through Music and went completely viral on YouTube, with PFC’s “Stand By Me” video reaching well over 20 million views.

The LA Times

Tickets:€28.50

Booking fee may apply

CONCERT

Thur 30 June, 8pm

Blind Boys Of Alabama

The Blind Boys of Alabama are recognized worldwide as living legends of gospel music. They will release a traditional country-gospel album for the first time in their 70-year career on May 3rd, 2011.Their live shows are roof- raising musical events that appeal to audiences of all cultures, as evidenced by an international itinerary that has taken them to virtually every continent.Cork Opera House are proud to have these living legends in house to entertain the people of Cork.This show is proudly supported by UCC Campus Accommodation

Tickets: €26, €28.50, €31.

JULY

CONCERT

Sun 3 July

The Fureys and Davey Arthur

With Special Guest George Murphy

Returning to Cork for the fifth year in a row, The Fureys will perform all their hits including When You Were Sweet 16, The Green Fields of France, and all the rest!

Tickets: €28.50, €31

CONCERT

Mon 4 July, 8pm

Philippine Ballet Gala Concert with Lisa Macuja-Elizalde

Experience a spectacle of classical, contemporary, neo-classical and Filipino ballets as Ballet Manila and the Philippines' most admired prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde performs in Ireland for the first time. Lisa Macuja-Elizalde is the first foreign soloist to be invited to join Kirov Ballet in Russia.

Tickets: €33, €36, €39

Cork Opera House booking information

Book online: * www.corkoperahouse.ie

Book by phone: *021-4270022

*Telephone and internet bookings subject to a booking fee of €2.50 per ticket. All tickets include a €1 restoration levy. No booking fee for Cork Cine Club.

For further information or images please contact Jamie Monagan, Deputy Marketing Manager, on 021-4905218 or jmonagan@corkoperahouse.ie.