August Festivals and Events

Spirit of Mother Jones Festival | Shandon | 24 – 26 Jul

This festival and summer school are dedicated to the memory of Mary Harris/Mother Jones and to inspirational people everywhere who fight for social justice.

Event highlights include

• Iron Ladies - Documentary about the role of women in the 1984/85 Miners’ strike
• Heritage stroll in the Shandon Historic Quarter with Peter Foynes of the Cork Butter Museum
• Climate Justice Here and Now with Professor Jennie C Stephens
• “Housing, Homelessness and the Struggle for Social Justice: A bed for the night” – with Focus Ireland

Find the full list of events in the link below,

Festival 2025 | The Spirit of Mother Jones Festival

Cork Pride 2025 |Saturday 26 July to 3 August 

The theme of the 2025 Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival is " A Fearless Future. Your Pride, Your Culture".

Some of the event highlights of the festival include,

• Cork LGBT+ Pride Parade

  Sunday, August 3rd, 2025 | Parade Assembly at 1:00 PM, Moving at 2:00 PM
  Assemble on Grand Parade, Cork City

  On Sunday, August 3rd, the heart of Cork City will come alive with colour, music, movement, and unity as thousands march in celebration of visibility, equality, and love. The parade assembles at Grand Parade and winds its way through the city centre in a spectacular display of community pride and solidarity.

•  Family Fun Day at Fitzgerald’s Park

  Saturday, August 2nd, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  Fitzgerald’s Park, Cork City

  A joyful, inclusive celebration for families of all kinds, this free event features live music, community performances, kids’ entertainment, face painting, food stalls, games, and our ever popular dog show — all in a safe, welcoming, and vibrant environment.

These are just some of the main events happening at Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival, there are many other events happening that can be found on the Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival Website, Home - Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival

Don't Touch My Knob  | Elizabeth Fort  | 1 Aug

“No female headlines? No Problem” said Cork musician Áine Duffy when she saw a lack of gender diversity on the upcoming Live at the Marquee series.

In response she alongside Cork City Council and the Night Time Economy is pleased to present "Don't Touch My Knob". Set in Elizabeth Fort, County Cork ‘Don’t Touch My Knob’ features an all-female line up including MC and comedian Sinéad Quinlan, Ria Rua, Áine Duffy and electronic DJ NATMAC.

Expect raw talent, skill, craic, and laughs. This isn’t just a gig. It’s a statement. 

Don't touch my knob Tickets, Fri, Aug 1, 2025 at 8:30 PM | Eventbrite

Night Market | Cornmarket Street  |  1 Aug 5 pm - 10 pm

Join us for a special night market on Cornmarket Street with entertainment and stalls galore on Friday, August 1, from 5pm to 10pm as part of Cork's night-time initiative. 

The market will feature a variety of stalls, including craft vendors and food stalls. Live entertainment will round out the evening.

Cork on a Fork | August 13 - 17

Get ready to taste your way through Cork City during Cork on a Fork Fest – a five-day celebration of the city's vibrant food and drinks scene, local chefs and producers, and the region’s unique food heritage and culture.

This festival isn’t just about eating food. It’s about celebrating the hands that make it, the land and sea that provide it, and the innovators who are producing and cooking it.

Our jam-packed programme includes one-off dining experiences, street feasts, food trails, tasting masterclasses, pop-up experiences, cooking demos, chef collabs, multicultural flavours, and lots of family fun - all in the heart of Cork City.

You’ll discover something delicious around every corner of this world class gastronomy destination. Come hungry. Leave inspired.

Free event highlights include

• Proper Sausage Making with O’Flynn Gourmet Sausage
• English Market Cooking Demo with Cork Chef Orla McAndrew
• Nice to Mead You! Mead-Making Class and Talk
• Elizabeth Fort Evening Market
• Free Docklands Brewery Tours
• Food, Fun and Farm at the Cornmarket St Market (Coal Quay)
• Cork on a Fork Food Market & Play Street

Cork on a Fork Fest - Cork City Council

Heritage Day | Aug 16

Cork Heritage Open Day is a celebration of the built heritage in the city and is a unique opportunity to explore buildings such as the YMCA, The Butter Museum, Quaker Meeting House, Military Museum Collins Barracks, Heineken Ireland, Cork Savings Bank, Backwater Artists Group and Riverstown House. Cllr. Kieran McCarthy will give a guided tour of Cork City Hall in English and Cllr. Joe Lynch will give a guided tour of the Lord Mayor’s Office and Council Chamber in Irish.

Some events require prebooking and the full programme is available from early August on www.corkheritageopenday.ie 

Heritage Week at Cork City Library

Cork City Library are offering a programme of free events to celebrate Heritage Week. Highlights include,

• Cork Music and Performing Arts Archive: An introduction
• Ghastly Gaols and Creepy Castles: A horrible history of Cork!
• One City One Book: Michael Quaine, Sculptor
• Lace Workshop
• James Wilkinson, Cork City Librarian 1892-1932

Find further information through the link below or visit Events Guide - Cork City Libraries.

https://mailchi.mp/corkcitycouncil/summeratcorkcitylibraries

Cork Rocks for Rory - June - Dec

The Rory Gallagher estate, in collaboration with Cork City Council and Cork City Libraries has put on a massive citywide tribute to the guitar legend, ‘Cork Rocks for Rory’.

This includes simultaneous photographic and original memorabilia exhibitions at Cork City Hall, Central Library and Public Museum which will coincide with a city-wide walking trail commemorating the life and legacy of the blues and rock icon.

Cork will rock like never before for Rory Gallagher's 30th anniversary - Cork City Council