Lord Mayor Joins Cork’s first Mela Festival to Celebrate Global Cultures

05/05/2026

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Fergal Dennehy, joined the party in Fitzgerald’s Park on Sunday for the first ever Cork Mela Festival celebrating the city’s cultural diversity.

The Lord Mayor joined Nisha Tandon, founder of ArtsEkta, organisers of the Cork Mela, and representatives from 20 nations and many local community groups for an afternoon of music, dance, food, wellbeing, fashion and art from around the world.

“It gave me immense pleasure to welcome the inaugural Cork Mela to our city,” the Lord Mayor said.

“This wonderful festival celebrates the cultural diversity that makes Cork such a vibrant and welcoming place to live, work and visit.

“The Cork Mela is a powerful reminder of the richness we gain when we embrace the traditions, talents and stories of communities from around the world.”

Highlights of the Cork Mela 2026 included by the Ukrainian Community Choir; Voices of Young People Intercultural Choir; Mark Outsider & Kestine; Kabin Crew; AMDIE Mexican Dance; South Asian Dance Academy; Citadel; MTU Samba; Marathi Mandai; Cork Capoeira; Aatma Dance; Mexicans in Cork; Bangladeshi Association Cork; Lithuanian House Cork and Trio Terra Nova.

The Cork Mela was supported by Rethink Ireland and Cork City Council, alongside media partner 96FM.

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