Return of the Cork School Garden Workshops

Early October 2026 will see a return of the Cork School Garden Workshops providing practical support for primary schools that are interested in starting, maintaining, or further developing their school gardens. Aimed at teachers, SNAs, or indeed anyone from the community that supports their local school garden. Details of the workshops including dates and times will be confirmed shortly and for any queries in the interim email eao@corkcoco.ie. This initiative is led by the Cork Federation of Muintir na Tíre and is supported by Cork County Council and Cork City Council.

Heritage Council Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2027

Heritage Council Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2027 The Heritage Council is pleased to announce that the Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2027 will open for applications on in September 2026. This scheme supports community-led projects that protect, conserve, celebrate, record, share and promote Ireland's heritage. New for 2027: Two-Stage Application Process To make the application process simpler and more accessible, the scheme will operate a new two-stage application process: Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EOI) Applicants submit a short outline of their project idea. Detailed budgets, quotations and supporting documents willnot be required at this stage. Stage 2: Full Application Shortlisted projects will be invited to submit a detailed application for assessment. Funding Available Grants will range from €800 to €25,000 and will support practical projects that deliver heritage benefits, community engagement and lasting public value. Scheme Themes Applications will be invited under five themes: Heritage at Risk Biodiversity & Nature Restoration Traditional Skills & Conservation Digital Heritage, Access & Storytelling Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Key Dates EOI Opens: September 2026 EOI Deadline: 16 October 2026 Applicants Notified of Outcome: November 2026 Full Applications (invited applicants only): Nov 2026 - January 2027 Funding Decisions: Spring 2027 Further information, including detailed guidance notes and application materials, will be published when the scheme opens. Please keep an eye on the Community Heritage Grant Scheme webpage for further updates. Note, it is anticipated that the window will open on 18 September.

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.

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.

Date & Time

Fri, 16/10/2026 - 16:00 to
Sun, 18/10/2026 - 18:00

Location

Cork County Council Headquarters, County Hall, Carrigrohane Road, T12 R2NC Cork, Ireland.

Price

Free

Book Now

Website

https://upwelling.innovalia.org/

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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.