Month: May 2018

New boat tour of Cork harbour launches

Posted on by cbaadmin

New boat tour of Cork harbour connects the City with Cobh!

Ocean Escapes is making waves in Cork tourism

 

A new 72-seater tour boat has been launched for the summer season connecting Cobh and Cork City.  Ocean Escapes, a Cork-based company, is investing €1/2 million in the new service and will operate daily guided tours of the harbour from Cobh to Cork City and Cork to Cobh, with a return by rail option, until September.

Locals and visitors alike will enjoy the experience, which will include the sights, sounds and stories of the harbour, told in a fun and theatrical way by engaging guides.

Owner/directors Orla O'Neill and Andrew O'Riordan pictured at the launch of a new 72-seater tour boat for the summer season connecting Cobh and Cork City. Pic: Brian Lougheed

Highlights along the ancient port waterways will include breath-taking views and famous landmarks such as Crosshaven, Rochespoint Lighthouse, Blackrock Castle, Spike Island Prison, Camden Fort Meagher, Haulbowline Naval Base (Ireland’s only Naval Base), Blackrock Castle, Martello Towers, Lord Inchiquin and the Royal Cork Yacht Club, the World’s first Yacht Club, and Cobh, the last port of call for the Titanic, and more.  Passengers will also learn about Cork’s fascinating maritime history and hear unique stories about each of the towns, villages and islands along the harbour.  Cork has a wealth of maritime wildlife and you might even see dolphins or whales along the way.

Commenting Seamus Heaney, Head of Visit Cork, said, “Cork is Ireland’s Maritime Haven, set in a beautiful coastal environment with a significant maritime history spanning over a thousand years. It is also ideally situated between two of the best experiences in Ireland – the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East.

“There is a gap in the market for a tour that connects Cork City and Cobh and provides access to our harbour and rich maritime history in an engaging and interactive way.  Services like this will open up new markets and help retain tourists and cruise passengers in Cork when they arrive.  This is a fantastic initiative and it sits perfectly within the new Pure Cork brand that was recently launched and the Ireland’s Ancient East touring route.”

Also commenting, Lawrence Owens, CEO of Cork Business Association, said, “There has been a huge demand from the business community for a tourism offering that connects the city with Cobh, in order to tap into the huge potential that the cruise market offers, so we are delighted to welcome this development.”

Ocean Escapes is already well known for operating successful rib tours in the harbour. This new venture is a partnership with another local company, Cool Running Events, who are known for delivering exceptional entertainment with Cork on Ice and The Nightmare Realm, and business man Daniel O’Donoghue, who will operate as Ocean Escape’s marine engineer and technician.

Speaking at the launch, Andrew O’Riordan, Owner/Director of Ocean Escapes, said, ‘We are delighted that Cork is being promoted as a maritime haven and hope this new tour offers tourists and locals alike a new and exciting experience on our harbour. So far, we have got incredible support from all the key stakeholders in Cork and we hope everyone continues to spread the word about the Ocean Escapes Harbour Tours.”

 

The new tour takes 1.5hrs and will run from Thursday 31st May to Sunday 2nd September, sailing from Cork City at 11:30 and 16:00 and from Cobh at 9.00, 14:00 and 18:00. (People are advised to check the website for accurate daily timings as times may change for cruise ships). Tour packages are cleverly paired with return rail connections, allowing visitors to take in the sights of Cork city or Cobh before returning to their origin.  Prices start from €16.

The tour boat is also available for private booking and for transport to and from events like concerts in Pairc Uí Chaoimh or weddings, hens and stag parties.

For more information or to book see www.oceanescapes.ie

Great news as €125m office block is proposed for Cork docks

Posted on by cbaadmin

Great news for Cork again this morning as it has been announced that planning is to be lodged for a €125m, 250,000sq ft office development by Kent railway station near Cork City’s historic docks and quays.

Cork-based John Cleary Developments is behind the plans for Penrose Dock, on Penrose Quay which is next door to the even larger €400m HQ Horgans Quay development which is with Bord Pleanála.

Artist’s impression of the proposed development at Penrose Dock

 

The company has already built and fully tenanted 850,000sq ft of offices in the city and suburbs.

It has completed a site assembly for 1.8 quayside acres, which include the historic Penrose House, which was the one-time home of the City of Cork Steampacket Office and is a protected structure.

The two buildings proposed, ringed by Penrose Quay, Railway St, and Alfred St, will be six and eight floors over ground level, with a double basement for 160 cars. Also envisaged are a gym, cafe/restaurant and a “town hall” space for functions and conferences.

 

 

The design is by Wilson Architecture, which did the Capitol office and retail development, also for John Cleary Developments.

If planning is granted, construction would start immediately. The building will take 18 months to complete and employ up to 250 on site, delivering buildings capable of accommodating 2,200 people, between the rail station/rapid transport hub, and the city centre.

Next door is the HQ/Horgan Quay site, where plans for a €400m scheme of 240 apartments, 136-bed hotel and 400,000sq ft of offices proposed by Clarendon/Bam were appealed to Bord Pleanála by Port of Cork in March of this year, after being approved by City Hall.

 

Artist’s impression of the proposed development at Penrose Dock

 

John Cleary Developments is also building 48,000sq ft of office at 85 South Mall, which is expected to be a base for KPMG, has refurbished 97 South Mall for tenants Eventbrite, and is to build a €200m data centre and e-Park in Little Island.

Completed developments include 170,000sq ft of offices at One Albert Quay, on the city’s south quay, sold for €58m; the Capitol on Grand Parade/St Patrick’s St, sold for €45m; and City Gate in Mahon.

CEO John Cleary said: “We believe this development holds huge potential for Cork and can help transform this area of the city. Penrose Dock will prove very attractive to technology and financial services companies that are looking to grow their existing footprint or invest in Cork for the first time.”

 

Source: Tommy Barker, Property Editor for the Irish Examiner 

Feel Good Friday Returns To Cork City Centre This Week!

Posted on by cbaadmin

Our favourite day of the month is nearly upon us!

That’s right, Feel Good Friday returns this week, May 25th, for the 2018 edition and its set to be an absolute cracker! This is an exciting event that takes place throughout the streets of Cork City centre on the last Friday of every month, from May to September.

 

For those of you who don’t know – (although you should!) – Feel Good Friday is an initiative led by Cork Business Association, Cork Chamber and Cork City Council which sees retailers and businesses in the city centre come together to host a series of events on the last Friday of every month. There will be a festival-like atmosphere in the city, with live music and entertainment on the streets, free finger food, late openings, special offers, drinks specials and lots of family fun. Cork City is a really unique shopping destination. Everything is within walking distance and it’s a lively and family friendly place to shop, dine and meet.

 

The idea behind Feel Good Friday is to reintroduce shoppers in Cork to the fun of shopping in the heart of their City. The last Friday of the month also coincides with pay day for many, so people want something to do on that day – and we’re making sure Cork City centre is top of their mind!

 

We are delighted to team up with the incredibly talented team at Music Generation Cork City this Feel Good Friday to be a part of their MayHUM Festival. The crew have put together a stellar line-up of events for this coming Feel Good Friday, May 25th, with “Random Acts of MayHUM” taking place throughout the day! You’ll see these talented performers popping up across the city from 12pm onwards everywhere from the Kino to the English Market and from brass bands to rappers. There’s even a FREE lunchtime concert featuring young pianists and flautists in the Crawford Art Gallery from 1.10pm, and a lively lunchtime gig outside Brown Thomas. For full details, see www.musicgenerationcorkcity.com.

 

You can still avail of the Black Ash park and ride service for free from 12pm or get four hours parking for the price of two between 12pm and 6pm in North Main Street and Paul Street carparks so can have both lunch and dinner in the city centre!

 

We encourage businesses across our wonderful city to make an extra special effort for their customers on Feel Good Friday, so be sure to come along and experience Cork at its best.

 

Keep up to date with Feel Good Friday news and events on Facebook (@feelgoodfridaycork) and on Twitter (@feelgoodcork).

#FeelGoodCork

The Prism: A €20 million landmark investment in Cork

Posted on by cbaadmin

 

The Cork Business Association wholeheartedly welcomes the news of the €20 million, 15 storey, iconic glass fronted triangular office building which is planned for a brownfield site just yards from the Parnell Place bus station on the edge of Cork’s docklands.

 

Kerrymen, Kevin and Donal O’Sullivan, the owners and developers of the Port of Cork, Custom House site, have this month completed the purchase of a nearby 310 square metre triangular site on Clontarf Street that has remained unused for decades.

 

Tower Holdings Group, owned by Kevin O’Sullivan, will oversee the development of the proposed commercial building. On Wednesday May 16th an application was lodged with Cork City Council seeking full planning permission to build the 5,900 square metre office development on the site.

 

The Prism Building on Clontarf Street has been designed by Cork based architects Reddy Architecture + Urbanism to produce a light filled glass office building on a cross-city corridor.

 

Tower Holdings Group president Kevin O’Sullivan said the Clontarf Street development fits in with plans for the revitalisation of the heart of the city and will give a long-awaited boost to this corner of the city.

 

“We are very excited about this development. Our aim is to build a slender, elegant, transparent glass structure that is as much a piece of sculpture as it is a building. The development of The Prism Building will enhance a neglected, yet strategic, area of the city with a light filled building, providing a state of the art modern office building which is very much in demand in Cork City.

 

“Our hope is that this development will enhance and enliven the local area, acting as a catalyst for the development of nearby sites. It will become a location marker for a rejuvenated city quarter, providing a much-needed link between the city centre and the docklands,” he added.

 

Architect Seán Kearns said the iconic Flatiron Building on New York’s Fifth Avenue was one of the inspirations for the Clontarf Street development.

 

“Through the height and shape of the building our goal is to produce an iconic piece of architecture that has a sense of bravura in the use of cantilevers and curved high-tech glass that we believe will be an attractive and iconic addition to Cork City’s projected growing skyline.

 

“The façade will have floor-to-ceiling super clear vision glass providing the optimum combination of very high light transparency with low-reflectivity, with solar protection and thermal insulation for a pleasant indoor climate throughout the year. The glass walls will be complimented with a textured stainless steel element, adding to the ‘crystalline’ effect of the overall building,” he said

 

The Kerrymen are also at an advanced stage of pre-planning consultation with Cork City Council for a separate €250m, multi-storey hotel and apartment development on the nearby Custom House site which they acquired last year.

 

Mr O’Sullivan said that given the complexity and intricacy of the Custom House project, the developers have assembled an international team of consultants, and allotted additional time to the project. In consultation with Cork City Council the design team are working to protect the integrity of the historic site and its buildings, to enable them tender a design worthy of the site.

 

Cork Business Association are very excited by the prospect of this new development and look forward to seeing work begin on this project in the near future.

World-class Jazz Greats Announced For 2018 Guinness Cork Jazz Festival

Posted on by cbaadmin

WORLD-CLASS JAZZ GREATS ANNOUNCED FOR 2018 GUINNESS CORK JAZZ FESTIVAL

FREE LINE-UP TO INCLUDE ‘DIA DE LOS MUERTOS’ JAZZ PARADE, SWING DANCE CLASSES, FREE JAZZ ON THE PLAZA OPEN-AIR GIGS, FLASH MOBS, A SWING JIVE AND A SECRET JAZZ TRAIL.

 

An exciting line up of world class Jazz greats has been announced for the 2018 Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, regarded as one of Europe’s most thrilling Jazz events, which takes place over the October Bank Holiday Weekend (25th to 30th October) in Cork City.

 

The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival line-up features Grammy award-winning Maria Schneider and her Orchestra for their first-ever Irish appearance, the legendary Blind Boys of Alabama, celebrated US Jazz singer and composer Nnenna Freelon, UK soul songstress Laura Mvula, Chicago’s Hypnotic Brass Ensemble as well as Stanley Clarke, Billy Childs Ensemble, Billy Cobham, Fred Hersch, T.S. Monk, Donny McCaslin, Belfast’s jazz evangelist Linley Hamilton, Frank Vignola’s Hot Jazz Trio and Pablo Ziegler Trio with dozens more acts yet to be announced.

 

Tickets for the headline acts will go on sale 31st May but there is also plenty of free entertainment with up to 1000 jazz musicians from over 20 countries performing in over 70 city venues including pubs, hotels, restaurants, galleries, public buildings and club venues as well as on the city streets. A choice of Fringe events such as a ‘Dia De Los Muertos’ Jazz Parade, Swing Dance Classes, free Jazz on the Plaza open-air gigs, flash mobs, a Swing Jive, and a Secret Jazz Trail as well as Jazz Bites food festival will ensure there is truly something for all music and cultural tastes.

 

For the first time ever, the weekend will kick off with a fantastic carnival-like ‘Dia De Los Muertos’ Jazz Parade on Thursday evening, 25th October.  This bright and colourful spectacle will roam through the streets of Cork bringing with it the alluring dance of the macabre. The deadly display, which is a nod to Mexico’s famous ‘Day of the Dead’ Parade, will include street performers and floats from Cork City Art Link who will partake in a New Orleans funeral procession with live improvising jazz musicians paying homage to the greatest artists of jazz gone from this world.  It’s the perfect start to Halloween season and will make you want to get your jazz on for the weekend ahead.

 

In partnership with the Festival, Triskel Arts Centre will curate a weekend of music and film from the world’s most prestigious jazz record label ECM which is sure to excite jazz music history buffs.

 

Sinéad Dunphy, the new Festival Director has high hopes for this year’s Guinness Cork Jazz Festival.  “Jazz music is constantly evolving so it’s only fitting that Ireland’s largest Jazz Festival continues to evolve too.  We’re bringing it through an exciting new phase of rejuvenation and expansion, so it will be a bigger and better celebration of arts than ever before. Attendees can expect a fresh, authentic and downright jazzy feel this year, as we get back to the roots of the Festival and reflect what’s going on right now in the Jazz world.  There will be an unparalleled blend of headline acts, gigs and fringe events, along with exciting new elements including the ‘Dia De Los Muertos’ Jazz Parade and a very hush, hush secret jazz trail.”

 

“I’m delighted to work with Guinness and the local Jazz Festival committee to ensure this year is the best yet so that Cork maintains its status as the home of jazz in Ireland, and one of the most important jazz festivals in the world.”

 

The legendary Festival Club at The Metropole Hotel, where the Festival was founded, will be the central hub while the Everyman Theatre, Cork City Hall, Triskel Arts Centre, Cork Opera House and Firkin Crane will also play host to some swinging Jazz headliners.

 

A full headline artist line-up, details of the free music and entertainment programme and Fringe events will be announced in the coming weeks. For updates visitwww.guinnessjazzfestival.com.

Follow the festival social channels for the latest news:

facebook.com/corkjazzfestival,  twitter.com/corkjazzfest #GuinnessCorkJazz

 

About GUINNESS:

The GUINNESS Company was established in 1759, when Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000 year lease on St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin.  Brewed using four natural ingredients, water, barley (malted & roasted), hops and yeast, GUINNESS is the world’s most popular stout. The iconic beer is brewed in 49 countries worldwide and sold in over 150 with almost 9 million glasses of GUINNESS enjoyed every day around the world.  The most GUINNESS is sold in Great Britain, Ireland, USA, Nigeria and Cameroon.  All GUINNESS consumed in Ireland and Great Britain is brewed at St. James’s Gate Brewery. More information can be found at www.guinness.com.

Enjoy Guinness Sensibly. Visit www.drinkaware.ie.

Visit Cork Takes to the Road

Posted on by cbaadmin

Putting Cork on the map

Visit Cork, the governing organisation for leisure and business tourism, has been very active in promoting Cork as a destination for visitors and is now taking to the road to host a series of Open Roadshows on the 23rd and 24th May in Cork City, West Cork, North Cork and East Cork.

 

 

With four events in two days, the aim of the Roadshow is to brief the Tourism Industry on the work of Visit Cork and to encourage local communities, tourist groups, accommodation and experience providers and others with an interest in tourism to adopt the recently developed Pure Cork Destination Brand.

 

The Roadshow events will take place in Cork Race Course, Mallow (9-10.30am) and in Jameson Distillery, Midleton (5-6.30pm) on Wednesday May 23rd. This will be followed on Thursday May 24th by events in the Metropole Hotel, Cork (8-9.30am) and in the Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery (3-4.30pm). Registration will open 30 minutes before each event.

 

Each Roadshow is facilitated by Jonathan Healy from Newstalk. With presentations on Visit Cork, the Pure Cork Brand, a panel discussion, Q and A with Industry Leaders and an engaging workshop on how businesses can implement the Pure Cork Brand, it is sure to be a highly interactive, dynamic session. Anyone who has an interest in the Tourism Industry or in attracting visitors to Cork, is invited to attend any of the four Roadshows where there will be excellent networking and cross promotion opportunities.

 

 

Ursula Morrish, Destination Manager from Visit Cork said:

 

“Cross promotion, innovative experience development and strategic branding is key to motivating visitors to come to Cork. We encourage everyone to attend the Roadshows and explore how they can use the Pure Cork Brand to enhance their business and to celebrate all that Cork has to offer to domestic and international visitors”

 

The new purecork.ie website will be showcased at the Roadshows and Visit Cork are currently inviting businesses and tourism providers to submit their event and business details. To submit content and to be featured on the website go to purecork.ie.

 

To register for any of the four Roadshow events see http://purecork.clr.events

 

Visit Cork is a public-private partnership that promotes Cork as a destination for leisure and business tourism (Cork Convention Bureau). Visit Cork recently developed a new destination brand for Cork called Pure Cork. Visit Cork are calling on industry organisations to adopt the Pure Cork brand. To read about the brand and obtain the brand toolkit go to purecorkbrand.com. 

Cork Midsummer Festival 2018

Posted on by cbaadmin

Cork Midsummer Festival returns this year, running from the 15th to 24th of June, and the programme of events is nothing short of spectacular.

 

 

Cork Midsummer Festival has launched its dynamic 2018 programme comprising of new works, site-specific commissions, and engaging performances at over 40 spaces.

 

This year, Cork's largest annual multi-disciplinary arts festival runs from 15-24 June and features 56 events. Over 55,000 people are anticipated to attend the 10 days of theatre, literature, dance, music, visual art and family-friendly festivities. For full details, visit www.corkmidsummer.com.

 

Highlights at this year’s Festival include Camille O’Sullivan with the Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra (22 June), and the world premiere stage adaption of Asking For It by author Louise O’Neill at The Everyman (15-23 June). Picnic in the Park – featuring special performances to celebrate 250 years of circus – is back at Fitzgerald’s Park (17 June) and includes the Midsummer maypole dance.

 

Cork Midsummer Festival Director, Lorraine Maye said: “Working in collaboration with our programme partners, the Festival is presenting over 30 Irish premieres this year. Across those 10 days in June, Midsummer magic descends on Cork, and we invite everyone, of all ages and interests, to take the cultural adventure with us.”

 

In keeping with the Festival’s ongoing theme of unique events at unexpected places, hip hop/circus fusion Union Black comes to Neptune Stadium (15-17 June), while dance theatre company, Junk Ensemble performs Man At The Door (Number 54) in Sunbeam Bingo Hall, Blackpool (15-17 & 22-24 June).

 

Major participatory project I Could Colour Between the Lines But I Choose Not To sees artists Mark Storor and Stephen King work with Knocknaheeny residents on an installation at a house in their community (22-24 June). Other participatory events include the renowned Cork’s Long Table, an outside banquet on South Mall showcasing 10 of Cork’s best restaurants (24 June); 10 Minute Dance Parties inside a shipping container club on Emmet Place; while in Church Nightclub (16 June), Scottish performance artist FK Alexander performs the intimate (I Could Go On Singing) Over The Rainbow.

 

In theatre, Katie Holly’s Crowman, starring Jon Kenny (D'Unbelievables), will premiere at The Granary (15-20 June) while Corcadorca Theatre Company’s The Numbered by Elias Canetti takes place at Fitzgerald Park (18-30 June).

 

A musical highlight will see composers Peter Power and Michael Gallen join creative forces for In Clouds (15-17 June), to celebrate 40 years of the Triskel Arts Centre.

 

Bristol-based installation artist Luke Jerram, creator of last year’s hit Museum of the Moon, returns with 1000 Flowers. The unique experience, where flowers are passed from person to person, will be documented using #1000flowers.

 

Other international artists include Oscar-nominated composer Hauschka at the Cork Opera House (23 June), while award-winning Catalan-based street theatre company, Kamchatka takes to the streets on the Festival’s opening day.

 

The Festival’s first artist-in-residence, bilingual poet Doireann Ní Ghríofa presents Nine Silences with artist Alice Maher at St Luke’s (17 June); A City In Flames with composer Linda Buckley at St Peter’s (18 June) and Life In Art, Art In Life with artist Aideen Barry at The Glucksman (21 June). Crosstown Drift presents a new event, A Night at The Gallery at the Crawford Art Gallery (23 June), with readings from Pat McCabe and Lisa McInerney.

 

Marking Midsummer’s Day, 21 June, events will take place from dawn to dusk. Cork schoolchildren launch art installations created for three city bridges, while an evening of music takes place at Tory Top Park, Ballyphehane, and a visual art performance Rolling Hills will be held at Patrick’s Quay.

 

The Festival Talks programme includes a conversation between Louise O’Neill and Tara Flynn at Crawford Art Gallery (21 June) and insights from Ellie Kisyombe into the Our Table project (15 June) at the Farmgate Café, on the campaign to end direct provision in Ireland.

 

For families, DJ Dónal Dineen holds Tiny Dancer: A DJ Set For Kids in St Peter’s, North Main Street (16 June), while Seoid/Jewel – An Opera for Babies and Small People takes place in the Graffiti Theatre, Blackpool (15-17 & 22-24 June).

 

Speaking on the programme launch, Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Tony Fitzgerald said: “From the very first events, right through to closing celebrations, from dawn until dusk, for 10 days the Cork Midsummer Festival inspires artists and audiences alike to make new connections and tell new stories, to re-imagine what it is, and what it can be, to live in this great city of Cork.”

 

Lorraine added: “We are so grateful to our core funders the Arts Council, Cork City Council and Fáilte Ireland, and all of our individual programme funders, sponsors, patrons and friends, who have supported the Festival to ensure that Cork Midsummer Festival remains one of the most vibrant summertime events in the country.”

 

Cork Midsummer Festival is proudly supported by the Arts Council, Cork City Council, Fáilte Ireland and by media partners RTÉ Cork, the Irish Examiner, 96FM and C103, and RTÉ Supporting the Arts.

 

Tickets for all events go on sale this evening, Wednesday 2 May, from 7pm at www.corkmidsummer.com.

 

The full programme of events for 2018 is available to view on the Cork Midsummer Festival here.

 

Keep up to date with the latest news and events by following Cork Midsummer Festival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

 

 

International Basketball is Coming to Cork in June – Get Your Business Behind It!

Posted on by cbaadmin

Ireland will host the 2018 FIBA Women’s European Championship for Small Countries for the first time, this summer.

The event will take place at the Mardyke Arena, University College Cork from June 26th to July 1st, 2018.

 

The hosting of this international event is fantastic news for Ireland, Cork and the basketball community. Participating countries in the Championships include; Ireland, Cyprus, Denmark, Gibraltar, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova & Norway.

In addition to the above, the Irish Senior Men will play a two-match series v Luxembourg at the Mardyke Arena UCC on June 22nd & 23rd.

There are a number of exclusive sponsorship opportunities still available to suit businesses of all sizes.

Don’t miss out on this one –off opportunity, contact Wayne Falvey on 086-6015657 or at w.falvey@ucc.ie to discuss further.

Click here for further information on available packages.

Soul in the City, Cork 2018

Posted on by cbaadmin

Following last year’s wildly successful second outing, the increasingly popular annual music festival ‘Soul in the City’ will return to the Victorian Quarter Cork this June Bank Holiday weekend.

 


Last year saw thousands of fans of great soul food and music flock to MacCurtain St and its surrounds for a weekend jammed with live bands, mouth-watering eats and fun and craic galore.

 
This June Bank Holiday weekend, the Victorian Quarter of Cork city will come alive with soul as some of the country’s best Soulful Brother’s and Sister’s return to various stages around the Victorian Quarter culminating in the Grand Finale, Live At Saint Luke’s on Sunday 3rd where Karen Underwood will present ‘Soul Journey’.

 
Karen will lead a stellar soul band at St Luke’s with special guests Gemma Sugrue, Niall McCabe, Leah Ahern and Isaiah G from Chicago Illinois.

 
Get on board the love train and visit the music of Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Minnie Riperton, Isley Brothers, Prince, Jay Z and Eminem and so many more.   ‘Yeah baby I am bringing it.  Meet you at the station.’  The Soul In The City’s festival reaches its final destination at ‘Soul Journey’, and will attempt to once again raise the roof, Live at St Luke’s.

 
Karen Underwood is no stranger to Cork, having moved here over twenty years ago and has regularly played to sold out audiences in the city’s largest venues over the years.  Karen’s move to Cork is an interesting one and it all began with bacon and cabbage! In 1997 a friend from Cork invited her to dinner, produced the traditional Irish fare and put an Aretha Franklin CD on the player. It was then Karen realised that her music had travelled across the Atlantic and that combined with a special Cork céadmílefáilte would change the course of her life. She has never looked back.

 

Gemma Sugrue live @ Soul In The City

Man! can Gemma Sugrue hit them high notes 🎶🎶🎶 A clip from last year's main event in Live At St. Luke's with thanks to Dare Media ProductionsTickets for 'Soul Journey' are still available from Gallaghers Pub Cork or at: https://uticket.ie/event/soul-journey-live-at-st-lukes

Posted by Soul in the City Cork on Monday, April 30, 2018

 

Tickets for ‘Soul Journey’ are available at Uticket.ie and from Gallagher’s Gastro Pub.

 

MacCurtain Street and its surrounding area, now known as the Victorian Quarter, has seen a surge and rejuvenation over the past number of years.   The Quarter is characterized by an unusual and harmonious mix of architecture – from Victorian, early twentieth up to the present time. Strolling through the streets you will get a sense of Cork both past and present.

 
The area consists of many independent traders with varying sizes of businesses. A mix of small independent traders, big hotels, fine cafes, restaurants and lively bars.  Joined together under the umbrella term the ‘MacCurtain Street Traders’ the mix of different emporiums provide something special when it comes to the food and beverage aspect of the festival   Imagine a traditional fish‘n’chip shop serving you creole fish taco with chipotle sauce? Fancy a Louisiana style gumbo? Smothered Pork Chops with black-eyed peas and corn bread? A luxurious crimson cake synonymous with the American south or Mississippi Mud Pie? It doesn’t get more Southern than this and you don’t have to go to New Orleans to sample it!

 

Friday will focus on the ‘after work’ folk with early bird food. Saturday will see the benefits of a Bank Holiday audience while Sunday’s premier event is ‘Soul Journey’ in St Luke’s.

 

This festival is yet another event which is an important contributing factor to Cork’s growing reputation as a great venue for music, food and beverage. The city entered the 21st century with the growing reputation of a modern, accessible urban centre. This reputation was proven when the city was given the designation of European Capital of Culture back in 2005. Building on that accolade, the city has continued to actively develop support for culture in general.
The Victorian Quarter has continued this trend with its recent investment in hotel and hospitality sectors.

 

The origins of soul music is emotional, soul food eclectic in taste. This is what you can come to expect at Soul in the City around the MacCurtain St area on the Bank Holiday weekend.

 

People are encouraged to come rejuvenate their soul on June 1st to 3rd.  From live performances throughout the Victorian Quarter, to Soul filled movies in the Village Hall, to delicious soul food and drinks. Bring your body into the city and your Soul will be replenished!

 

Keep up to date with the latest news and events by following Soul in the City on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Cork Airport Shortlisted For Prestigious European Award

Posted on by cbaadmin

Cork Airport has been shortlisted in the prestigious Airports Council International (ACI) Europe Best Airport Awards for the second year in a row. Cork, which won the Best Airport Under 5 Million Passengers category last year, is one of six European airports nominated in 2018. The winner will be announced on 19 June at the ACI Europe/ World General Assembly in Brussels.

On the announcement, Managing Director at Cork Airport, Niall MacCarthy said: “To be shortlisted this year in the Best Airport Under 5 Million Passengers category is an honour, especially after our win last year. This is a testament to the dedication of the entire team at Cork Airport, who continually strive for excellence ensuring we secure route expansion and growth.”

 

Cork Airport is the only Irish airport to be shortlisted for Best Airport based on passenger numbers at the 14th annual ACI Europe Best Airport Awards. The categories include under 5 million, 5-10 million, 10-25 million and over 25 million passengers. The Awards recognise achievement in core activities such as customer service, facilities, retail, security, community relations and environmental awareness and operations.

 

Six airports made the Best Airport Under 5 Million Passengers shortlist – Cork; London City Airport, UK; Tallinn Airport, Estonia; Chisinau Airport, Moldova; Prishtina International Airport - Limak Kosovo; and Turin Airport, Italy.

Over 2.4 million passengers will pass through Cork Airport this year, which is the country’s fastest growing, best connected and busiest international airport after Dublin.

 

Cork Airport has secured a number of new routes this year, with Air France commencing its new daily service from Cork to Paris-Charles de Gaulle from 26 May. Aer Lingus is also flying year-round to Lisbon Portela Airport from 26 October, while Ryanair is extending its twice weekly summer service from Cork to Faro into the winter season.

Norwegian launched Cork’s first direct transatlantic route in July last year, with the inaugural service to Boston Providence which operates this Spring, Summer and Autumn. In the past 12 months, new routes to Zurich (SWISS), Verona (Volotea) and Cornwall Airport Newquay (Aer Lingus Regional) have also commenced operation out of Cork Airport.