May Festivals and Events
The first Creative Communities Roadshow event of 2026 on Tuesday 28th April at 10am-1pm takes place online. It will provide a thorough insight into news and opportunities facilitated by Cork City Council Arts Office in 2026. It will be recorded and the recording will be made available via the Cork City Council Arts website. In addition, it will be shared in advance with all attendees of future roadshow events which will allow us to schedule more time for questions. To join live online, book your place here.
The next Creative Communities Roadshow event will take place in person in Holyhill and Knocknaheeny on Thursday 14th May at 10am – 1pm. We are delighted to be joined by Cork Community Art Link on this date. As part of the event, we will share news about Creative Places Knocknaheeny and facilitate a fun, hands on creative taster. For more information and booking, follow this link: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/place-based-community-arts-tickets-1987828335061
More Creative Communities Roadshow events will be announced later in the year.
Cork City Council is proud to launch First Fridays – a new initiative that will animate the city with markets and events on the first Friday of each month throughout the summer.
Inspired by the success of Culture Night, First Fridays invites residents and visitors alike to discover and engage with the city's rich cultural offerings - after dark - on the first Friday of each month from April to September.
The programme brings together cultural institutions, businesses and community organisations to create a regular evening of culture and creativity, with a focus on the city centre.
Cork City Council has invited any businesses or cultural institution with an idea for an after-dark or night-time economy event to engage with it on potential collaboration.
You can get more details on the wide range of events taking place in Cork City here: Pure Cork - Official Tourism Website for Cork, Ireland.
Date: Friday 1, Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 May
Time: 10pm - 1am
Price: Free, No Booking Required
Klostės translated as Pleats or Folds is a Black & White, non verbal, 67 minute feature film created by the People of Kaunas, Lithuania, together with Artist & Filmmaker Aideen Barry. This Experimental Art Film was commissioned by Kaunas 2022, The European Capital of Culture. The film takes inspiration from Kaunas Architectural Modernism and the hidden histories associated with the magical city. Klostės/Pleats is a metaphor for how time folds like fabric. It is a metaphor for how things can appear to repeat or loop. It is also an architectural trope for a repeat pattern, evident in Kaunas Interwar-Modernism. Klostės is a reference to how a film constructed out of thousands and thousands of still photographs creates a visual fiction or illusion. In 2023 the film was part of the bid that won UNESCO World Heritage Status for the city of Kaunas, and in 2024 it was acquired for the National Collection at the Irish Museum of Modern Art.
The Cork born director is delighted to be showing this work for the first time in her home city as apart of this new festival and this experience begins with a light installation on the exterior of Triskel Christchurch: audiences will enter via the Triskel Christchurch gates on South Main Street and from there though the doors into Christchurch where they are invited to watch the film.
This landmark initiative is designed to address local safety challenges and to enhance the feeling of safety in communities across the city.
This year’s theme, “Intersectionality in the LGBTI+ Community” examines the diversity within the LGBTI+ Community and how various intersecting identities can shape people and their experiences, as well as how they can create further barriers for an already marginalised person.
Hate speech and attacks on members of the LGBTI+ Community, both in person and online, are growing as more and more people are influenced and emboldened by anti-LGBTI+ global sentiments and trends.
We invite you to explore the events throughout the week and to attend, engage, and learn more about family, friends, neighbours, and colleagues who are part of the LGBTI+ Community.
Allies are key in helping to oppose anti-LGBTI+ sentiment. Please join us as we grow and learn through a series of events, discussions, and community gatherings for Cork LGBTI+ Awareness Week 2026. The more we know, the more we understand. The more we understand, the more supportive we can be.
Monday 11 May
Event: Launch of Cork LGBTI+ Awareness Week 2026 and raising of the Progress Flag
Time: 4pm - 6pm
Location: Millenium Hall, Cork City Council, Eglinton Street.
Info: Formal launch of LGBTI+ Awareness Week by Lord Mayor Cllr Fergal Dennehy
Keynote address by Senator Laura Harmon
Guest speakers
Music by Choral Con Fusion
Tea, coffee, light refreshments. All welcome.
Tuesday 12 May
Event: Progress Flag raisings & Partner Coffee Mornings
Time: 10am-1pm
Location: Multiple locations across the city and county.
Wednesday 13 May
Event: Annual LGBTI+ Awareness
Week Seminar: Understanding Intersectionality: What shapes LGBTI+ lives?
Time: 10am - 2pm
Location: Council Chamber, City Hall, Anglesea Street.
Info: Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
Join us as we examine diversity within the LGBTI+ Community and how various intersecting identities can shape people and their experiences.
Keynote address delivered by Dr Ailbhe Smyth
Panel discussion chaired by Dr Kara Hosford, Co-chair LGBTI+ InterAgency Group
All welcome. This event is free to attend, but ticketed.
Thursday 14 May
Event: LGBTI+ Culture Night: Drinks Reception & Film Screening
Time: 5pm - 7:30pm
Location: Triskel Arts Centre, Tobin Street.
Info: Drinks reception sponsored by Coolgrey
Screening of short film Claonagh & film The Mattachine Family
All welcome. This event is free to attend, but ticketed
Booking Essential: triskelartscentre.ie/
Friday 15 May
Event: Rainbow Cities Network Photo Exhibition 2026: Bi+ Visibility & Pride
Time: 1pm
Location: Cork Library, Grand Parade.
Info: Cork, as a member of the Rainbow Cities Network (RCN), takes part in annual RCN Photo Exhibition where one photo from each Rainbow City is submitted to form a collection. This year’s RCN theme is Bi+ Visibility & Pride. The exhibition will be formally opened by David O Brien, City Librarian. Cork’s submission to this year’s exhibition is by Amie Spillane.
Saturday 16 May
Event: Rainbow Picnic
Time: 2pm-5pm
Location: Bishop Lucey Park, Grand
Parade, Cork
Info: Live music, DJ, Face painting, Family fun & games
Sunday 17 May
IDAHOBIT 2026 THEME: “At the Heart of Democracy”
Event: IDAHOBIT Service, with Rev. Meghan Farr & congregation of St Anne’s
Time: 10.15am
Location: St Anne’s, Shandon.
Contact LGBTI@corkcity.ie for more information on all these events.
his event is designed to empower Irish SMEs to define and execute a strategy for sustained growth using AI tools.
You will leave with a clear understanding of how to drive meaningful growth, leveraging the efficiencies of AI to achieve tangible business outcomes. The format is designed to engage attendees with all levels of AI knowledge and includes motivational speakers and an expert-led panel of local business owners. Google will host practical AI workshops and interactive demonstrations.
We will be joined by Aimee Connolly, Founder and CEO of Sculpted by Aimee, for a discussion about her experience of using AI to enhance productivity and drive growth for her business.
SMEs attending AI Works for Ireland will gain:
- A clear roadmap for integrating AI into operations, marketing, leadership, and decision-making.
- Practical demonstrations of AI tools, including a live Google Gemini Enterprise showcase.
- Peer‑to‑peer insights from Irish SMEs already using AI to increase efficiency and scale sustainably.
- Access to expert-led workshops on management, productivity, and AI implementation.
- Opportunities to connect with LEO advisors, Google specialists, and the Enterprise Europe Network to support continued digital transformation.
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, 14th May 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM - 2:15 PM
- Location: Cork City Hall, Cork City T12 T997
- Entrance Information: All attendees should enter via the Eglinton Street entrance
This event is suitable for SMEs at every stage of their AI journey from early curiosity to active adoption and will equip Irish businesses with the knowledge and confidence to harness AI for long‑term growth. Please note this invitation is non-transferable and swaps on the day will not be facilitated. Valid photo ID will be required on arrival.
Registrations can be made on:
AI Works for Ireland, Cork City | Local Enterprise Office Cork City - Home
The Cork City Marathon has quickly become a huge Community Fundraising event. Last year you helped us raise a record-breaking €308,000 for Irish charities and community organisations. More than 9,400 donors backed runners across the Full Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K, raising funds to support everything from cancer research and mental health services to disability support, paediatric care, hospice services, community initiatives, and more.
This year at the Analog Devices Cork City Marathon we’re aiming even higher. So come out and support the runners on the day and help raise some much needed funds for Charity.
Together, we can make a difference #YourRaceTheirHope
Location: Togher Child and Family Centre
Ages: 8 - 12 years
Dates: 21 - 23 July
Location: Mayfield Arts Centre
Ages: 13 - 16 years
Dates: 30 June, 1 and 2 July