Eddi Reader, Foil Arms & Hog & Sleaford Mods

Half-term is in full swing, Rag Week is warming up at Cyprus Avenue, and the 6 Nations is giving Cantys all the excuse it needs to be full on a Friday night. Whether you're after something intimate and folk, something loud and vital, or something quietly cinematic — Cork has you sorted.

Here's what's in store this week:

⚫️ Eddi Reader, Sleaford Mods, Stereolab & a full week of live music across the city

⚫️ Foil Arms & Hog, Jason Byrne, Sive by John B. Keane & the Fassbinder film season

⚫️ Trad sessions, 6 Nations screenings, half-term workshops & library events across Cork

Let's dive in 👇

Eddi Reader Thursday 19 February, 20:00 The Everyman

The Fairground Attraction singer - whose voice has one of those rare qualities that stops a room - brings her full show to the Everyman. Warm, precise, and genuinely moving. A Thursday night that earns its ticket price. Get tickets

Foil, Arms & Hog — Skittish Thursday 19 February Cork Opera House

Ireland's best sketch comedy trio are back with their brand new show Skittish — unpredictable, brilliantly crafted, and funnier live than on the clips you've already watched twelve times. Get tickets

Ortús Chamber Music Festival Saturday 21 February Multiple venues

One of Cork's finest annual chamber music events spreads across the city's venues for a day of world-class music in intimate settings. Well worth planning your Saturday around. Full programme

UCC Battle of the Bands — Heat 1 Tuesday 17 February Cyprus Avenue

The first heat of UCC's annual Battle of the Bands — always a great chance to catch something genuinely new from the city's emerging artists. More info

Inspiration — Open Mic Night Tuesday 17 & Tuesday 24 February The Poor Relation

A weekly open mic where everyone is welcome to get up and give it a go - the kind of night that surprises you regularly. More info

John Bramwell (of I Am Kloot) Wednesday 18 February Coughlan's Bar

The I Am Kloot frontman solo - melancholic, beautiful guitar pop from one of England's most underrated songwriters. A quiet gem of a Wednesday night. Get tickets

Clouds — Rag Week Wednesday 18 February Cyprus Avenue, Cork More info

Panic at the Disco Wednesday 18 & Wednesday 25 February Intermission Bar, Cork More info

Fireside Folk Wednesday 18 & Wednesday 25 February The Welcome Inn

Traditional folk by the fire at The Welcome Inn — exactly what a Cork Wednesday should sound like. More info

Ciaran Quigley Wednesday 18 February Dwyers of Cork

A very familiar face on the Cork music scene - warm and well crafted. More info

Ceili By The Lee Wednesday 18 February Crane Lane Theatre

Traditional Irish ceili dancing with live music at one of Cork's most atmospheric venues. More info

Stereolab Thursday 19 February Cyprus Avenue

One of the most influential bands of the 1990s - motorik rhythms, lounge-pop, and sharp politics - playing Cyprus Avenue in what should be a seriously special night. Get tickets

115 Jazz Jam Sessions Thursday 19 & Thursday 26 February Cyprus Avenue

Open jazz improvisation sessions at Cyprus Avenue — all levels welcome, always interesting. More info

Rag Ball — Marty Guilfoyle Thursday 19 February Cyprus Avenue,

Cork Rag Week hits its stride with the Rag Ball featuring Marty Guilfoyle. More info

Meryl Streek — Album Release Band Tour 'Songs For The Deceased' Thursday 19 February Crane Lane Theatre

The album release tour from Meryl Streek — an event title that really commits. More info

The Insiders Thursday 19 February Cantys. More info

Ballads and Banjos Thursday 19 & Thursday 26 February The Welcome Inn More info

Kelvin Long Thursday 19 February Dwyers of Cork

A contemporary solo act on vocals and guitar. More info

PILGRIMS — Paul Noonan + Brian Crosby Thursday 19 February Connolly's of Leap

Paul Noonan (Bell X1) and Brian Crosby performing as Pilgrims at Connolly's of Leap - intimate and extraordinary. Get tickets

Encore Thursday 19 February The Pavilion More info

Bounce Thursday 19 & Thursday 26 February Intermission Bar More info

Pilgrims (Paul Noonan & Brian Crosby) Friday 20 February, 20:00 Live at St Luke's

A second Pilgrims date - this time at the magnificent St Luke's - if you miss Connolly's of Leap, here's another shot at one of the most compelling musical collaborations in Irish music right now. More info

Canned Pineapple and guests Innuendo Friday 20 February Coughlan's Bar, Cork Get tickets

The Gallivanters Friday 20 February Dwyers of Cork

Traditional tunes, folk, country, and party belters — a proper Friday at Dwyers. More info

Bastardo Electrico Friday 20 February The Pavilion More info

John Bosteels Friday 20 February Intermission Bar More info

The Lee Sessions Trad Trail Friday 20 February Sin É

One of Cork's most cherished trad nights — the Lee Sessions is the real deal, and Sin É is the right room for it. More info

Tony Milner Friday 20 February The Welcome Inn More info

Music Madness Friday 20 February Cork Arts Theatre More info

BRIARS Friday 20 February Connolly's of Leap, Co. Cork Get tickets

Sleaford Mods Saturday 21 February, 19:30 Cyprus Avenue

Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn - brittle, caustic, vital. One of the most confrontational and honest acts in British music right now, and Cyprus Avenue is exactly the right room for them. Get tickets

Comedy Cavern: Alison Spittle — Big (SOLD OUT) Saturday 21 February Coughlan's Bar

If you have a ticket, you're in for a treat. Alison Spittle is sharp, warm, and one of the funniest people working in Irish comedy. Coughlan's

Jezery — 20th Anniversary Show with Sideproject Saturday 21 February, 19:00 The Pavilion

Twenty years of Jezery, celebrated with a special show featuring Sideproject — a landmark night for Cork music. Get tickets

A1 Event × Kiss Night — Afro Urban Night Saturday 21 February The Pavilion More info

DJ Cillian Moore Saturday 21 February The Pavilion More info

The Old Moderns Saturday 21 February Dwyers of Cork

High energy, sharply dressed party band playing everything from their mothers' era to today's hits. More info

Kenny Live! Saturday 21 February The Welcome Inn, Cork City More info

SENU × Chief Keegan — Double Headliner Saturday 21 February Connolly's of Leap, Co. Cork Get tickets

Comedy Cavern: Grace Mulvey — Did You Hear We're All Going To Die Sunday 22 February Coughlan's Bar

Grace Mulvey's show title is both alarming and accurate. Dark, brilliant comedy from one of Ireland's most distinctive voices. Get tickets

The Big Swingin' Mikeys Sunday 22 February Dwyers of Cork

A five-piece folk, rock and covers band from Kinsale - great for a Sunday session. More info

Jack Ahern Sunday 22 February The Welcome Inn More info

Smithwicks Sessions: Trad and Folk Monday 23 February Coughlan's Bar, Cork More info

Grooveline and Soulé and Ezra Williams and Leevy (Buille — TG4) Monday 23 February Cyprus Avenue

Part of the TG4 Buille music series — a lineup of diverse talent across one exciting night. More info

Aaron O'Sullivan Tuesday 24 February Dwyers of Cork

A Cork singer-songwriter and guitarist. More info

SexyTadgh and Kabin Krew and Blue Niall and myjyn and Emily Donogher (Buille — TG4) Tuesday 24 February Cyprus Avenue, Cork More info

Live Music at Brú Bar Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays Brú Bar, Cork Rebel Roots bring Roots 'n Folk Jam on Thursdays (9pm), with Friday and Saturday sessions to follow. The weekly lineup at Brú is consistently well curated. More info

Trad Music Session Saturday 21 February City Library, Grand Parade, Cork More info

Wine Down Wednesday Wednesday 18 February

A midweek wine event at Cork & Pint - the name does exactly what it says. More info

Costigan's Cut with Roe & Co Whiskey Tuesday 24 February, 19:30 Costigan's

A whiskey tasting evening at Costigan's with Roe & Co — well-paired spirits in a good room. More info

6 Nations at Cantys Friday 20 Feb: Ireland v England, Saturday 21 Feb: Wales v Scotland, Sunday 22 Feb: France v Italy Cantys, Pembroke Street

A massive 6 Nations weekend, live on the big screen at Cantys - one of Cork's best spots for watching the rugby with the right crowd. More info

Pilates & Pastries Sunday 22 February Kóve Studios

Pilates followed by pastries — an entirely reasonable way to spend a Sunday morning. More info

Women's Retreat — Return To Self Saturday 21 February Quakers House, Cork More info

Dashi Kids Sushi Workshop Dates TBC — additional dates being added Dashi SupperClub Cookery School

Kids learn to shape onigiri, roll hosomaki, and pick up simple kitchen skills in a genuinely fun cooking session — little hands, big smiles, sushi magic. More info

Toddler Storytime Friday 20 February Ballincollig Library More info

Toddler Music Time Saturday 21 February Ballincollig Library More info

Toddler Music Fun — Music Making Session Saturday 21 February Tory Top Library More info

Children's Storytime Saturday 21 February Tory Top Library More info

Children's Colouring Competition Saturday 21 February Tory Top Library More info

Junior Chess Wednesday 18 & Wednesday 25 February Tory Top Library More info

Junior Book Club Wednesday 25 February Tory Top Library More info

Art History Reframed: The National Collection at Crawford Tuesday 17 February, 11:00 Crawford Art Gallery

A deep-dive into the history of the Gallery's sculpture collection — the kind of session that completely changes how you move through a gallery afterwards. Worth the ticket price. Book here

Artists Afternoon Wednesday 18 February The Everyman

An afternoon celebrating local artists through performance and discussion — free and informal, worth dropping into if you're passing. More info

Silent Sherlock: Three Classic Cases Thursday 19 February Triskel Arts Centre

Classic Sherlock Holmes cases brought to life in silent film format — one of Triskel's reliably inventive screenings. Get tickets

Center Stage — East Asia Film Festival Ireland (EAFFI) Thursday 19 February, 19:45 Triskel Arts Centre

An epic biopic directed by Stanley Kwan, part of the East Asia Film Festival Ireland - celebrating the best of East Asian cinema in Cork. Get tickets

Cast Conversations Thursday 19 February Everyman Theatre

A behind-the-scenes conversation with the cast of the current Everyman production. More info

Jason Byrne: Head in the Clouds Saturday 21 February The Everyman

Ireland's most physical comedian doing what he does better than anyone — improvised, chaotic, and consistently hilarious. If you've seen Jason Byrne live, you know; if you haven't, now's the time. Get tickets

Relief Printing Weekend Course Saturday 21 February, 10:00 Cork Printmakers

A hands-on introduction to relief printing — a satisfying, tactile craft course for anyone interested in getting ink on their fingers. More info

Adam Rowe and Guests Saturday 21 February, 20:00 Cork Comedy Club — City Limits More info

The Monologue Challenge Tuesday 17 February Cork Arts Theatre

An evening of dramatic solo performances from Cork's acting community - always compelling to watch. More info

Broadway Favourites Wednesday 18 February Cork Arts Theatre More info

Christine Bovill: Piaf Revisited Sunday 22 February, 20:00 The Everyman

Christine Bovill weaves her own remarkable life story into the music and world of Édith Piaf — deeply theatrical, beautifully sung, and consistently praised wherever it tours. Get tickets

Fassbinder Film Season at Triskel Sunday 22 February – Wednesday 25 February Triskel Arts Centre

A major Rainer Werner Fassbinder retrospective running through the week — The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (Sun 22), Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (Mon 23), Fox and His Friends (Tue 24), and The Marriage of Maria Braun (Wed 25). If you've never watched Fassbinder, this is your chance to do it properly. Full programme

Nouvelle Vague Sunday 22 February Triskel Arts Centre

The iconic French group who make bossa nova covers of post-punk classics — an utterly charming and distinctive live experience. Get tickets

Sive by John B. Keane Monday 23 February The Everyman, 15 MacCurtain Street, Cork John B. Keane's ferocious classic about a young woman caught between love and rural duty — one of Irish theatre's most emotionally raw plays, still hitting hard decades later. Get tickets

The Four-Faced Liar Tuesday 24 February Cork Arts Theatre, Carroll's Quay, Cork More info

Ballyturk by Enda Walsh Friday 20 & Sunday 22 February Rossmore Theatre, Clonakilty

Kilmeen Drama Group take on Enda Walsh's surreal, intense Ballyturk - two characters trapped in a room, confronted by the world outside. One of Irish drama's most demanding and rewarding pieces. Get tickets

Tom Crean — Antarctic Explorer Thursday 26 February The Everyman

The story of Kerry man Tom Crean's extraordinary Antarctic adventures — a one-person show that never fails to move an audience. Get tickets

The History of Sound Wednesday 18 February IFI@BrieryGap, Macroom

A screening exploring the evolution of sound in cinema — a quietly fascinating evening for film lovers. More info

It's Never Over — Jeff Buckley Friday 20 February IFI@BrieryGap, Macroom

A documentary tribute to Jeff Buckley — Grace still holds up, and this is a lovely way to spend a Friday evening. More info

Mick Flannery Saturday 21 February IFI@BrieryGap, Cork More info

Barndance Thursday 26 February IFI@BrieryGap, Cork More info

Elinor O'Donovan: Winter Sun Ongoing Triskell

A moving-image projection onto the Christchurch building on South Main Street - public art at its most accessible, worth pausing for on any evening walk through the city. More info

Comedy Cavern: Chris Kent and Guests Tuesday 24 February Coughlan's Bar, Cork Get tickets

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