Greetings from Safe Harbour
The week opens with Elle Coves at Coughlan's on Tuesday night. The Cork International Poetry Festival runs Wednesday through Saturday at Cork Arts Theatre with Ireland's biggest annual poetry gathering. The Ballymaloe Festival of Food kicks off Friday and runs all weekend. Neil Young's own approved tribute act plays Triskel Christchurch on Saturday in a room built for the music. My Leonard Cohen arrives at the Everyman on Sunday night. And Jim Jarmusch's latest film screens at Triskel on Sunday afternoon.
This is our pick of what's on this week. As always for a full event list check out the link at the bottom of the email.
Let's dive in 👇
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Ballymaloe Festival of Food 2026
Friday 15 to Sunday 17 May · 09:30 · Ballymaloe Grainstore
Three days of demos, talks, tastings, workshops, producer showcases, book signings, and live music at Ballymaloe House in Shanagarry. The setting is part of the draw: a converted farm shed, garden pavilion, and the grounds of Ballymaloe House itself. There are guided walks on food production and sustainability, evening entertainment with bands and dancing, and options for coming for just the evening if the full weekend is too much. One of the better food weekends on the Cork calendar.
Cork International Poetry Festival 2026
Wednesday 13 to Saturday 16 May · Cork Arts Theatre, Carroll's Quay
Ireland's biggest annual poetry festival runs four days at Cork Arts Theatre, with multiple readings each evening and afternoon sessions on Saturday. The lineup this year includes Anthony Joseph, Patricia Smith, Annemarie Ní Churreáin, Kim Moore, and a strong showing from Irish voices including Enda Wyley, Gerard Smyth, and Audrey Molloy. The format runs three slots nightly at 7pm, 8:30pm, and 10pm, so there's room to pick your session. Individual event tickets are available through Ticketsource.
Harvest: A Tribute to Neil Young
Saturday 16 May · 20:00 · Triskel Christchurch
Ireland's leading Neil Young tribute act, active for more than 15 years, plays an intimate acoustic set using only guitars, vocals, harmonica, and grand piano. The format suits Triskel Christchurch, where the natural acoustics do the work that amplification usually covers. The setlist runs from Heart of Gold and Harvest Moon through to deeper album cuts. Neil Young himself posted a note of appreciation on his website for this band, which is about as good an endorsement as a tribute act can get.
Elle Coves
Tuesday 12 May · 20:00 · Coughlan's
NME called her one of the hottest new names in pop. Born in Germany, raised in Ireland from thirteen, Elle Coves has since toured with Niall Horan and Lewis Capaldi and released her debut EP Selfishly Inclined in 2024. The songs draw on Taylor Swift, Fleetwood Mac, and Haim, but the songwriting is her own. Coughlan's is a good room to catch her before the venues get bigger.
115 Jazz Jam Sessions
Thursday 14 May · 20:00 · Cyprus Avenue
Open jazz jam at Cyprus Avenue. A Thursday night fixture for musicians and anyone who likes their evenings a bit improvised.
My Leonard Cohen
Sunday 17 May · 20:00 · The Everyman
Stewart D'Arrietta leads this tribute to Leonard Cohen from the piano, performing with a band of international musicians who've been touring this show from New York to Tokyo. The arrangements are described as gutsy and imaginative rather than faithful copies. The setlist includes Tower of Song, I'm Your Man, Hallelujah, Closing Time, and The Future. Two hours with an interval.
Nobody's Talking To Me!
Wednesday 13 May · Briery Gap, Macroom
A comedy play exploring the frustrations of modern communication. At Briery Gap in Macroom for anyone making the trip west.
LGBTI+ Culture Night: Film Screening
Thursday 14 May · 17:00 · Triskel Arts Centre
A drinks reception followed by screenings of short film Claonagh and The Mattachine Family. Free and open to the public but ticketed, so book ahead through Triskel.
Rainbow Cities Network Photo Exhibition: Bi+ Visibility & Pride
Friday 15 May · 13:00 · Cork Public Library, Grand Parade
The opening of an international photo exhibition curated under the Rainbow Cities Network's Bi+ Visibility & Pride theme. Free to attend, Cork Public Library.
Father Mother Sister Brother
Sunday 17 May · 15:00 · Triskel Arts Centre
Monday 18 May · Briery Gap, Macroom
Jim Jarmusch's latest film, with Cate Blanchett, Adam Driver, and Tom Waits. Three chapters set in New Jersey, Dublin, and Paris, each circling family dynamics and the relationships you don't get to choose. Runs 111 minutes. The Observer called it "utterly compelling, a small treasure of a film." Screening at Triskel on Sunday afternoon and at Briery Gap in Macroom on Monday.
For a full overview of all events on this week in Cork check out our event listings page
UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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