Thursday, 10 September 2026

Heritage Keepers Programme Open for Applications

Community groups across Munster are invited to apply for the latest round of the Heritage Keepers programme, a free national learning and stewardship initiative that supports communities in celebrating and protecting their local heritage. The programme is coordinated by Mary Dillon of the Burrenbeo Trust.

Heritage Keepers is open to community groups, residents' associations, sports clubs and other local organisations. Participants take part in five online workshops and receive funding to support a local heritage action project and field trip. Additional funding is available for groups in Munster during this application round.

An online information session will take place on Tuesday 15 September at 7.30pm, you can register here - Webinar Registration - Zoom , and applications close on 30 September.

Further information and application details are available through the Heritage Keepers programme website - www.heritagekeepers.ie .

For anyone with an interest in local heritage, this is an excellent opportunity to learn new skills, connect with others, and take positive action within their community.

Wednesday, 9 September 2026

Cork County Council Welcomes Inaugural Visit of Hebridean Sky to Bere Island

Cork County Council was delighted to welcome the inaugural visit of the luxury expedition vessel Hebridean Sky to Bere Island last week, marking a significant occasion for the island community and County Cork's growing cruise tourism sector.

Operated by Noble Caledonia, the vessel arrived off Bere Island last Tuesday evening and remained at anchor overnight before approximately 100 passengers were tendered ashore from 8.30am last Wednesday morning.

The visit, hosted by the Bere Island Projects Group, provided guests with an opportunity to experience Bere Island's rich military heritage, scenic walking trails and renowned hospitality. Visitors explored sites including Lonehort Battery, the Martello Tower and the Bere Island Heritage Centre, gaining a unique insight into island life while enjoying the warmth of the local welcome, traditional hospitality and live music throughout the day.

The arrival of Hebridean Sky marked the final cruise call of a highly successful 2026 season for Cork County Council's municipal harbours and cruise destinations. During the season, eight premium cruise vessels visited locations across Kinsale, Youghal and West Cork, bringing international visitors to communities throughout the county and further enhancing Cork's reputation as a destination for boutique and expedition cruise tourism.

To commemorate the inaugural visit, a civic delegation led by the Chairperson of West Cork Municipal District, Cllr. Danny Collins, boarded the vessel for a formal gift exchange with Captain Karl Hendrick Karlsson. The Captain was presented with a gift by a local artist to mark Hebridean Sky's first visit to Bere Island.

Cork County Council officials were on hand throughout the visit to welcome passengers and support the local community in showcasing the island's many attractions.

The successful visit further highlights the growing appeal of Bere Island as a unique cruise destination along the Wild Atlantic Way.

From Lovesong to Othello: Shakespeare Comes to The Everyman

From Lovesong to Othello: Shakespeare Comes to The Everyman

If you joined us for Lovesong earlier this year, you may remember the work of Red ‘n Blue Theatre Company and, in particular, the creative talents of Jenny Fennessy and Dylan Kennedy.

We’re delighted to highlight their latest production, Shakespeare’s Othello, coming to The Everyman in Cork on Thursday 24 September at 7.30pm.

A familiar creative team, a very different story

Red ‘n Blue Theatre Company has built a reputation for bringing classic plays to life with energy and clarity. Founded by husband-and-wife team Dylan Kennedy and Jenny Fennessy, the company’s previous productions include Lovesong, The Flags, Taboo and Macbeth.

Their new production of Othello offers a traditional telling of Shakespeare’s tragedy, remaining faithful to the original story and setting.

At its heart is the destructive power of manipulation. As Iago’s influence over Othello grows, love gives way to jealousy and trust to suspicion, with devastating consequences.

For those who enjoyed Lovesong, Othello provides a chance to see the same company tackle one of Shakespeare’s best-known tragedies — with Jenny Fennessy herself appearing as Emilia, alongside Dylan Kennedy as Iago. The cast also includes Benjamin Lafayette as Othello and Keziah Keenan O’Shea as Desdemona.

A great opportunity for Shakespeare fans

The production is particularly relevant for students studying Shakespeare, with school performances running from Tuesday 22 to Friday 25 September. There is also a public performance on Thursday 24 September at 7.30pm, giving general audiences the opportunity to experience the production at The Everyman.

The performance runs for approximately two hours including an interval and is recommended for audiences aged 16+. The Everyman also advises that the production contains themes of domestic violence.

Othello at The Everyman

Tuesday 22 – Friday 25 September 2026
Public performance: Thursday 24 September, 7.30pm
Venue: The Everyman, 15 MacCurtain Street, Cork
Tickets: €23
Age recommendation: 16+

Book tickets and find full details at The Everyman

If Lovesong was one of your highlights earlier this year, Othello is a chance to reconnect with the same company and experience their take on one of Shakespeare’s great tragedies.

Registration for the Cork Hackathon 2026 is now open

Ocean Hackathon® is a national and international non-profit event designed to develop innovative prototypes in 48 hours using marine data. It fosters collaboration between researchers, developers, entrepreneurs and ocean enthusiasts to propose solutions for the preservation and enhancement of marine resources.

Registration is now open. We invite you to discover the challenges here: Cork- Challenges.

The Cork edition will take place in person, at the Cork County Council Headquarters, County Hall, Carrigrohane Road.

The Cork Ocean Hackathon® 2026 takes place on 16th – 18th October 2026 to develop and prototype innovative challenges focusing on the conservation and restoration of our oceans and related biodiversity and the resilience of our coasts for use / navigation, in fighting the effects of climate change (through mitigation and adaptation), etc.

The event is being ran by the Cork County Council (local authority and partner of the associated UPWELLING Interreg Atlantic Area project) and University College Cork (MaREI)(research centre and UPWELLING project partner) and volunteers from other Irish partners in the UPWELLING project (i.e. Dublin City University (DCU)) and organisations in oceanic and blue economy sectors in Ireland.

Four challenges that match the Ocean Hackathon® 2026 criteria have been selected and will be tested at the Cork Ocean Hackathon® 2026 by the applicants, participants (SME’s / Start-ups, innovators, entrepreneurs, academics / students, etc.) and volunteers. The Cork Ocean Hackathon® 2026 will create a direct local platform for innovation, skills development, and transnational collaboration — central objectives of the UPWELLING project.

All participants must register.

Thursday, 3 September 2026

Understanding Food Labels – Library Talks

Do you find information on food packaging confusing? Can you identify ingredients that are healthy and what might be highly processed? Does a source of fibre mean the item is high in fibre? Probably not!

In these talks, Ita Harris will provide you with helpful guidance on how to better understand food labels so you can learn the true nutritional value of what you’re eating and make informed and healthy choices for yourself and others. These talks are free to attend.

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Wednesday, 2 September 2026

Culture Night 2026 to Bring More Than 150 Free Events to Communities Across Cork County

Cork County Council will present more than 150 free events across towns, villages and islands throughout the county as part of Culture Night 2026. From a spectacular fire show at Mallow Castle to contemporary traditional music in the stunning setting of Gougane Barra Church, the richness of Cork County's artistic talent and cultural heritage will be celebrated on Friday, 18 September.

This year's programme places a special spotlight on musical talent from across the county, bringing performances to unexpected and unique locations. In Skibbereen, Ar n'Áit will take over the town with performances at The Rock outdoor amphitheatre and its intimate venue space, showcasing Congolese rumba, Afrobeat and live electronic music.

At Gougane Barra, renowned musician David Murphy will perform traditional music on pedal steel guitar in one of Cork's most iconic landscapes. Niall McCabe will take to the stage in the historic setting of St Mary's Church, Youghal, while Leevy, the acclaimed five-piece band from the Múscraí Gaeltacht, will perform in O'Mahony's Bar, Watergrasshill. In Schull, singer-songwriter Ger Wolfe will perform in An Tigín.

Classical music enthusiasts can enjoy performances by Kantos Quartet at St James's Church, Mallow, Meliora Quartet at St Brendan's Church, Bantry, and the Irish Guitar Quartet at Briery Gap, Macroom. The programme also features an impressive line-up of contemporary Cork artists, including How I Became a Wave, As If I Always Knew, The Fynches, Fixity and Áine Duffy.

The Irish language will feature strongly throughout the programme, with events including a bilingual production of Billy Goats Gruff, Puipéid sa Pháirc and a range of ciorcal cainte gatherings. To celebrate the EU presidency, Cork County's rich cultural diversity will also be reflected through a series of talks, demonstrations and workshops led by artists from across the European Union who now call Cork home.

Other programme highlights include The Night Market on Cobh Promenade, featuring arts and crafts stalls, food vendors and live DJ sets. At Mallow Castle, audiences can enjoy circus performances, bilingual children's theatre and a spectacular fire show in the castle grounds. Sirius Arts Centre will open its doors late into the night an event that celebrates diversity and inclusion within contemporary Irish culture.

Coordinated by Cork County Council and funded by the Arts Council, Culture Night shines a light on the diverse, dynamic and creative communities that make Cork County a leading cultural destination. The event provides an opportunity for artists, performers, venues and cultural organisations to engage with new audiences and showcase their work in a welcoming and accessible way. In 2025, Culture Night in County Cork 161 events were programmed in 35 towns and villages and two islands with and audience of 18,712.

Following a highly successful 2025 programme that attracted more than 18,000 attendees, this year's Culture Night will offer interactive family experiences alongside events that celebrate both Irish traditions and global influences. Culture Night Late also returns, extending the celebrations into the evening with a vibrant programme of late-night events across the county.

Culture Night Cork County 2026 will feature pop-up performances, poetry readings, live music, children's workshops, exhibitions and short-form theatre and so much more in locations across the county. The events all take place on Friday, 18 September 2026, from 4pm until late. All events are free to attend, although advance booking is required for some.

Culture Night Programme

Full programme details are available here

September North Cork Dementia Alliance dates

Tuesday 1st	Exercising for the Brain, Mallow is back
Wednesday 2nd	Exercising for the Brain, Fermoy is back
Thurs 3rd	Singing for the Brain, Mallow is back

Please contact Margaret on 087 690 2898 if you would like more information on these or other services

Newmarket Dementia Café (Takes place 1st Thursday of the month)

Will take place on Thursday 3rd September, 11am-12.30 in the Culturlann, Newmarket., P51 D854.

Anna Collins from Kanturk Library will be talking about some of the services and resources available there. As always there will be plenty of chat, some light exercise and brain challenges!

Fermoy Support Group (takes place the 2nd Thursday of the month)

Will take place on Thursday 10th September in The Hub, 3 Brian Boru Square, Fermoy, P61 R596 7pm-8.30. This is for relatives of people with dementia and is an opportunity to get advice and information from staff and to share experiences with others.

Charleville Dementia Cafe (takes place on the 3rd Friday of the month)

Will take place on Friday 19th May, 11am-12.30 in the Charleville Park Hotel. This is an opportunity to meet others, challenge your brain and have fun! Terry O’Connell, Yoga Instructor will be talking about the benefits of yoga and will take us through a light yoga session.

Fermoy Dementia Café (takes place on 4th Wed of the month)

Takes place on Wednesday 23rd September in Adair Hall, (adjacent to the Church of Ireland Church), 2.30-4pm. John Arnold, Local historian and story teller will be speaking. This is an opportunity to meet others, challenge your brain and have fun!

Mallow Support Group (takes place on the 4th Thursday of the month)

Will take place on Thursday 24th September in St Marys Day Care Centre, Lenihans Lane, Mallow, P51 WKE3, 7-8.30pm. This is for relatives of people with dementia and is an opportunity to get advice and information from staff and to share experiences with others.

September Social Club outing

Will take place on Monday 7th September with a visit to Annes Grove Gardens , Castletownroche, P51 HR74. We will meet at 11am in the carpark. For further information or to register contact Margaret on 087 690 2898.

Fundraisers

Massive thanks to Laya Healthcare who donated €5589.30 to the North Cork Dementia Alliance. This money was raised at their charity day and we were so pleased to be one of the three recipients of the funds. Many thanks to Eleanor Llerena for nominating us.

Thanks too to Gas Networks Ireland who donated €250 to us from their charity fund. We are so grateful to Mary Cotter for nominating us. Any money raised goes directly towards the services we provide – counselling, fitness groups, the dementia cafes, support groups and social club outings.

Please also see attached a summary of the dates for September. I have also attached a list of other dementia services in North Cork.

If you would like to be removed from this mailing list please get in touch.

Follow us on social media to find out about dementia services being provided throughout Cork. Facebook (Cork Dementia Services) and Instagram (corkdementiaservices)

Best wishes

Sheena, Amy and Margaret

Sheena Cadoo

Tel. 022/58700 | Mobile 086 787 1818 | E-mail: sheena.cadoo@hse.ie | www.ncdementiaalliance.ie | The North Cork Dementia Alliance is registered with the Charity Regulatory Authority . CRA No 2024866