27th March 2023
The festivals coordinator Siubhán Mc Carthy said ‘’The festival covers a huge range of diverse topics with something to appeal to everyone. In this year’s Lifelong Learning festival, we have a huge variety of walks throughout our great city. We have walks focusing on our wildlife, walks based around local history, literature of art, there really is something for everyone. It’s a great way to celebrate the fact that Lifelong Learning shouldn’t be confined to just the classroom!’’
Cork is recognised as an award-winning UNESCO Learning City since 2017 and over the past 18 years the festival has provided an opportunity for members of the public regardless of age, interest, or abilities to ‘give it a go’ and learn something new through workshops, demonstrations, classes, walks, talks and lectures. Many of the events are community based, all festival events are free to attend and open to all.
Lifelong Learning Festival Brochures are available free now from all Cork City Libraries, Cork City Hall and listings are also online at corklearningfestival.ie
See below for a selection of our wonderful week of Lifelong Learning walks :
Monday 27th March 11.30 - 12.30 HRS and 15.00 - 16.00 HRS
UCC Guided Campus Tour starts at Visitor services @ UCC Campus
UCC Campus TourFree guided tours in English & Irish as part of the festival week. The UCC Visitor Services is located at the heart of the main campus and the starting point for the walking tours of the campus, and sells a wide range of UCC merchandise. The walking tour covers the History of the campus . Key areas of interest are the Main quadrangle , The stone corridor and Ogam stones collection, The Aula Maxima, The Crawford Observatory , The Honan Chapel. the President's Garden and the landscape of UCC.
Tours : Mon to Friday 11.30 & 15.00pm and Saturday at 12.00pm .Sunday public tour, 13.00pm .
Booking : mlyons@ucc.ie
Tuesday 28th March 13.00 - 14.00 HRS
Learning Through Creativity
The Glucksman University College Cork. T12 V1WH
A guided tour of selected artworks in the UCC art collection Join Glucksman curator Tadhg Crowley for a guided tour focussing on newly commissioned artworks developed in partnership with local communities. Starts at the Glucksman art museum, moving to sites across campus; incl. the Student Hub, Boole Library and O'Rahilly Building. Also on Thursday @ 13.00 HRS
Booking: info@glucksman.org
Wednesday 29th March @ 14.00 - 15.30 HRS
Rebel City Walking Tour Cork City Libraries @ Blackpool Library, Redforge Rd, T23 AP11
A 90 minute War of Independence walking tour of Blackpool and Cork City centre. Discover Cork City's rebel past with our engaging local expert on the period. Hear timeless stories of heroes and villains. You'll never see the streets of Cork in the same way again. Moderate walking ability needed Booking: blackpool_library@corkcity.ie
Wednesday 29th March @ 09.30 - 11.30 HRS
The Lee Fields : A guided bird / nature watching walk meeting at the Car Park at the Lee Fields
Ornithologist Noel Linehan will guide participants along the Lee fields to observe and identify species of birds and wildlife that reside in the area. Noel will have a powerful telescope with him that the group can use. The event is a once off opportunity and is suitable for all ages. Wear warm clothing, if possible walk or cycle to the car park as it isn't very large.
Booking : greenspacescork@gmail.com
Thursday 30th March @ 11.00 - 13.00 HRS
City walk: Fossils of Cork city's building stones “ an urban fossil treasure trove ''
Starting at St. Mary's Church, Popes Quay
A walking fossil tour of Cork will highlight these fossil wonders in places that we walk past every day. Our fossil experts will share the secrets of the fossils, explaining how they formed, where they lived, and even how they died, bringing our ancient heritage to life. The walk is on flat ground, will take approx. 1.5 hour, and is suitable for people of all ages, from 7 years +
Booking: m.mcsweeney@ucc.ie
Saturday 1st April @ 11.00 HRS
Rebels, Writers and Merchants
Cork City Libraries, Mayfield Library, Old Youghal Rd, T23 E651
A guided history walk with local historian Brendan Goggin through Montenotte Park, Ashburton, Gardiner's Hill, Ard-na-laoi and concluding at the Montenotte Park Hotel
Booking : mayfield_library@corkcity.ie 021 492 4935
Saturday 1st April @ 14.00 - 16.00 HRS
Shandon Historical Walking Tour with Cllr Kieran McCarthy
Starts opposite the Volunteer Centre, North Main Street, T12 Y6W0. Explore Corks most historic quarter Shandon Street holds a special place in the hearts of Corkonians. A street built by the Anglo-Normans and originally known as Mallow Lane. Different architectural styles reflect not only the street's long history but Cork’s past. Booking: 087 6553389
Saturday 1st April @ 12.30 - 13.30 HRS
Portrait of the Artist walking tour led by Flicka Small
James Joyce's father John Stanislaus Joyce was born and reared in Anglesea Street in Cork City In his novel Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Joyce writes about his visit to Cork with his father in 1894. Dr Flicka Small leads a walking tour of the sites associated with the Joyces and mentioned in the novel. Booking : patricia_looney@corkcity.ie - 021 4924900
Sunday 2nd April @ 11.30 - 13.00 HRS
A Walking Tour of Shandon with The Butter Museum
Starts at Daunt Square, and progressing to Shandon, its architectural, social and economic history. Detail on the Butter Museum website; www.thebuttermuseum.com info@thebuttermuseum.com
Sunday 2nd April @14.00 - 16.00 HRS
The Cork Union Work House with Cllr Kieran McCarthy
Inside entrance of St Finbarr's Hospital on Douglas Road This old workhouse site is over 180 years old and offers an opportunity to reflect on the social history of the city. Find out about the historical realities of living in a port city, beset by large scale poverty, where everyone did not make money and many lived hand to mouth. Booking: 087 6553389
