Halfway through Cork on a Fork and still so much more to enjoy. Check it out here...

 Cork on a Fork Fest weekend highlights

Play streets, gin afternoon tea, lunchtime opera, yoga brunches and more

Very enjoyable beer tasting at Elbow Lane!

Cork City’s new food festival, Cork on a Fork Fest, has seen more than 50 businesses participate in events, tastings, food talks, cooking demos, tasting masterclasses and more this week.  The festival continues for the weekend with lots of great events planned. Many are sold out like the Sourdough Bread Making Workshop and the Cork on a Fork Dinner at The Bookshelf at Elysian but here are some highlights of what you can still head along to.  Check corkcity.ie/corkonaforkfest for booking info and stay tuned to @corkonaforkfest on social media for updates.

Friday:

• 2-3pm: Lunchtime Opera on Princes Street: Listen to Cork soprano Emma Nash as she weaves through the tables.  
• 2-4pm: Play Street on Caroline Street.   Enjoy lunch coffee and drinks in the restaurants on Caroline Street while children young & old can have lots of fun with some Lets Play Cork activities & games on the street.  With giant Jenga, connect four, balance board games, tug of war and much more, all facilitated by an experienced coach.  Note: this is not supervised play and parents need to be mindful of this throughout the session.
• 4-7pm: Taste of Cork Tapas Trail: Take a guided walking tour through Cork’s vibrant new outdoor dining areas on a Tapas Trail exploring the foods and drinks of the area. Enjoy samples at restaurants serving Cork on a Plate, a Birdcage Charcuterie and Cheese of Cork as well as the drinks of Cork. Over the 3-hour tour, you will have 3 food and 2 drink stops. This package includes a tour of the English Market but no food tasting.  With ActivityDays.ie.
• 7.30pm-Late:  The Festival Afterparty: Sample Coqbull's new Coqtail & Bar Bites Menu with well known Cork DJ duo, Vinyl Below. The venue will also launch a new Boneless citrus marinated Chicken, sourced locally from Tim at the Chicken Inn in the English Market.

  

  Show Thyme at the Imperial Hotel

  
  

 

Saturday;

• 10am-12pm:  Cork Tasting Trail: Enjoy a relaxed but highly-focused 2.5/3 hour food stroll with an engaging and experienced guide. Highlights may include exploring Irish Foodie Hotspots, meeting Artisan producers or visiting farmers markets, Irish Pubs and superhero retailers. There is a little culture and architecture along the way from your local and knowledgeable guide.  With Fab Food Trails.
• 11-1pm: Enjoy free samplings of Cork favourite Clonakilty Black Pudding in front of the Mural on Caroline Street.
• 11.30am-1pm:  Enjoy Yoga and Cork Sushi on the Boardwalk @ Electric with Sarah Daly from Alchemy School of Yoga. Suitable for all yoga levels.
• 1.00-3.30pm: The MET X Maharani Gin Afternoon Tea.  Enjoy a special Cork on a Fork Afternoon Tea, inspired by local producer Maharani Gin and presented by The Met's new head chef Vasil Baci. Taking inspiration from the story of Maharani Gin, where India meets Cork, they will use the best of Cork to create a taste of India over 3 plates! You will also be treated to a Maharani GnT.
• 1-5pm:  Family BBQ and Play on Beasley Street: Head along to a Beasley Street Family BBQ at the Maldron Hotel South Mall from 1-5pm. And from 2-4pm, children will have lots of fun with giant Jenga, connect four, corn hole, balance board games, colour catcher games, tug of war and more, with our Let’s Play Cork play ambassador. Note: this is not supervised play and parents need to be mindful of this throughout the session.
• 1.30-4.30pm: Learn how to make the perfect Churros at Kiely’s Chipper on Maylor Street. This event is free.
• 4-9pm:  Harley StrEAT BBQ: Jive down to Harley Street in the VQ, just beside the Metropole Hotel for a jazz themed BBQ and cocktails, with margaritas, spicy homemade burgers, tacos, coffees, and organic biodynamic wines from MacCurtain Street Wine Cellar, while you listen to jazz music with The Underskore Orchestra.  (Music from 4-7pm).
  
  
  

 

Sunday

• 11am-1pm:  Stretch at Sketch - Yoga Brunch: Kickstart this energising morning with an energy ball and a health shot from the Imperial's head chef Ali in Sketch, before taking part in a 45minute yoga class with yogi Hazel from The Yoga Tree. After your workout you will enjoy 3-courses of gorgeous fresh local produce (vegan and vegetarian catered for), and attendees will be given a goodie bag to take home.  Tickets are almost sold out.
• 11.30pm-12.30pm:  Make and Taste Three Unique Coffee Roasts: Izzeddeen, owner of Izz Cafe, will take you through the process of roasting green coffee beans to make 3 different types of coffee. Guests are also treated to a copper coffee pot and a coffee bag.
• 1-5pm:  Family BBQ and Play on Beasley Street (play activity from 2-4pm).
• 1-3pm: Pembroke Street Jazz Lunch.  Enjoy lunch while you listen to jazz music on Cork City's newest pedestrianised street, Pembroke Street.
• 1.00-3.30pm: The MET X Maharani Gin Afternoon Tea.  Enjoy a special Cork on a Fork Afternoon Tea, inspired by local producer Maharani Gin and presented by The Met's new head chef Vasil Baci. Taking inspiration from the story of Maharani Gin, where India meets Cork, they will use the best of Cork to create a taste of India over 3 plates! You will also be treated to a Maharani GnT.
• 1.30-4.30pm: Learn how to make the perfect Churros at Kiely’s Chipper on Maylor Street. This event is free.
• 2.00-2.40pm: Meat and Potatoes Guided Tour at Crawford Art Gallery. Take a special guided tour through the historic Crawford Art Gallery with surprising stories of your national collection and delve into their major summer exhibition Meat and Potatoes. This project is in support of the Night-Time Economy and funded by The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
• 4.00-7.00pm:  Close out the Festival week with a Taste of Cork Tapas Experience throughout Cork’s newly pedestrianised streets with ActivityDays.ie

  

  Tapas & Cocktails at the Cornstore

  
  

And all weekend you can enjoy Tapas on the Terrace at The Cornstore and a Tasting Trail through Cork City.

Cork on a Fork Fest is supported by Cork City Council, in partnership with the local hospitality sector and The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to establish Cork city as a vibrant food destination and as part of Cork’s efforts to create a more diverse and sustainable night-time economy, in support of the Report of the National Night-Time Economy Taskforce. It is also supported by Pure Cork, Fáilte Ireland, Ireland’s Ancient East, Cork Business Association.

 For events, experiences, participating venues and bookings, see corkcity.ie/corkonaforkfest or @corkonaforkfest on social media. #CorkonaForkFest.

Dinner on Princess Street

press release by Cork on a Fork Fest

Following German Beer Rules Helps Elbow Lane Brew Winners. A Quart of Ale± #118.

A Quart of Ale± #118. On the craft journey with Elbow Brewery

Following German Beer Rules Helps

 Elbow Lane Brew Winners

Beer. In 5 easy lessons

“When we opened the Elbow Lane Brewery in 2014, we decided we would follow the German beer purity law known as the Reinheitsgebot.”

“It has worked and worked very well for us,” continued Elbow Lane Brewer Russell Garet as he opened last Wednesday’s tasting of their beers, part of a mini-series under the Cork on a Fork Festival umbrella. 

Russell Garet

That famous rule was introduced in 1516 by Duke Wilhelm IV of Bavaria.  The decree allows for only hops, barley, water and, later, yeast in each and every beer. It has served Bavaria very well indeed.

We started the tasting with the Elbow Lane Lager. No surprise then that it is a continental style lager. “More recently we have started using Irish Lager malt, though with a small amount of German malt. The Irish though is just as good.”

Closed lanes and signs and Elbow Lane beers

“We don’t over-process, we use old brewing methods. The lager has a slight haze, is unfiltered and takes 6 weeks overall. It has slight aromas of vanilla and of the grassy hops.”

Stout for angels,
sinners & saints

It is a very pleasant lager, refreshing and ideal with lighter dishes and curry. Russell told us it accounts for 40% of sales and appeals to the drinker of lager, whether craft or in general. It weights in at 4.4% ABV and the hops used are Saaz, Hersbrucker (for its subtle aromas) and Hercules (for its bittering qualities).

Then we were on to the second most popular beer in the Elbow Lane range: the Jawbone Pale Ale, with an ABV of 5%. “The hop here is Cascade - a very popular hop - and immediately you notice its citrus aromas. There is not a lot of bitterness - we tend to lean more towards character to match the food. It has fruity qualities, but there is no fruit in the beer!”

It was the malt that took the spotlight in the next beer, another ale, this called Wisdom with an ABV of 5.2%. There is a high concentration of Crystal Malt which gives a bolder colour and a richer caramel flavour. You get toffee on the nose and more of the caramel on the palate. “Great with smoked and roasted meats,” advised Russell. So great in this very place!

Three malts

And now for something different, their Arrow Weisse with an ABV of 5% and typical aromas of banana and clove (from the yeast). One of my favourite styles, especially those made under the purity law.

And we finished with another favourite of mine, the Angel Stout (4.4 ABV). Here the roasted malt comes into play, contributing colour and flavour. “We focus too on the hops for bitterness and they (Hercules Germany, Pilgrim UK and Williamette USA) go in early in the process.”  And so we came to the end, sipping one of the very best stouts around.

Jawbone (left) and Wisdom ales.
Crystal Malt gives a bolder colour to the Wisdom.

The five beers are the core beers here. But they do specials and seasonals from time to time, including a delicious Porter during Covid. Earlier this year they issued a beer to support Ukrainian refugees and hope to have another special in the Autumn.

The original idea sprang from a UCC experiment that caught the attention of Market Lane’s Conrad Howard and it was decided to brew in Elbow Lane. The operation started in 2014 and the emphasis from the start was on styles that match the food being served in the Market Lane Group restaurants that now include ORSO, Castle Cafe, Elbow Lane, Market Lane and most recently Goldie.

Beer of course has been around for thousands and thousands of year. “The baking of bread and the brewing of beer go hand in hand,” said Russell. “Eventually the Greeks introduced beer to Europe. Later the monasteries became influential in brewing. The Industrial Revolution saw brewing go from small scale to industrial. By the 1900s, consolidation of brands led to six giant breweries, including Watneys, owning everything beer in England. Something similar was happening in the US.”

 Scientific discoveries such as pasteurisation, the isolating of yeast and beer filtration has influenced the course of beer-making.

Modern times saw the rise of craft brewing. Russell reckoned it was inspired by small wineries on the West Coast of the US. Brewers followed suit with the likes of Sierra Nevada among the leaders. “When I started taking an interest in brewing in 1986, there were just a couple of dozen small breweries in the states, now there are over three thousand.”

It emerged during the chat that Russell and Garrett Oliver of Brooklyn Brewery shared an Alma Mater and at one stage Russell’s New York brewery Chelsea was in competition with Brooklyn.

Fancy meeting you here! Garrett Oliver (left)
and Russel Garet.

Where do the names for these beers come from? Well, they are called after alleyways in the city. There is one exception: Arrow. There is a depiction of what might be an arrow over the entrance of Elbow Lane but there is an opinion growing that it may not be an arrow at all but a part of a gate as, back in the day, there were more than a few foundries in operation in the area.

What will the next one be called? I’m kind of hoping that it be a Porter and once that’s on the bottle, I’ll be happy!

* Big thanks to Russell for the tasting, He was superb, just like his beers!

Something new is brewing. Check out Cork’s latest brewery: Original 7. A Quart of Ale± #119.

A Quart of Ale± #119. On the craft beer trail with Original 7

Something new is brewing. 

 Cork’s latest brewery-Original7

Great to meet up with Shane Long and Steve Guiney, two of the people behind Cork’s latest brewery, Original 7.  We chatted to the duo as we (and a host of the city’s top barmen ) were introduced to the brewery and its beers at the Franciscan Well on the North Mall last week.

In 1998, Long established the 7th microbrewery in Ireland, before it was cool! Since then, the Franciscan Well brewery has produced some award winning beers enjoyed the world over. It was one of the original seven microbreweries in Ireland and hence the name for the new venture. A few years back, the original Franciscan Well was acquired by Mouton Coors who continue to make most of the beers in a site on the city quays.

The small original brewery on the North Mall has been bought back from Mouton Coors and it is here that Long, along with Guiney, Paidí Scully (brewer) and Dean Wrenne (junior brewer) are making the new beers. “It’s time for a new generation to take the reins,” said Shane as Original 7 Beverage Company introduced themselves last week.

Already the three beers are available in quite a few city pubs and the list is rapidly growing. And it should also become available further afield in the near future. But don’t expect a big flood of Original 7 beers as this is quite a small brewery. 

The beers will eventually become available in can, but that too could take a while, again due to capacity restrictions. Still though, they have plans to issue some seasonal beers.

With the ABV counts on many craft beers rising all the time, there was some surprise that the three beers so far each come in at a fraction above four per cent. This isn’t by accident. Their research indicated a demand for lower ABV beers and so their “focus is on truly sessionable beers, accessible to all palates”.

Original 7 Lager

“An Irish lager but the style is very much Bavarian,” said Steve Guiney as he did barman duty the other night. It is clean and crisp and immediately refreshing with floral notes, citrus too and excellent malt led flavour. Floral notes from the Perle hops, the citrus from the Mandarina Bavaria. Very pleasant indeed and in no way handicapped by its 4.1 ABV.

Style: Lager

ABV: 4.1%

IBU: 22

Hops: Perle, Sazz, Magnum, Mandarina Bavaria.

Original 7 Hazy Weisse

In the early days of the Franciscan Well, I always enjoyed my pints of their Friar Weisse, especially by the blazing fire out in Blairs Inn. The new one also hit the spot as it has many of the characteristics of the original. 

Again it is a German style unfiltered wheat beer, with zesty citrus to taste and typical aromatics of clove and banana. Not quite the same as the original though. For one thing the yeast is different and comes from the USA where it was spotted by Shane Long. It was my favourite beer of the night, my favourite of the trio.

  

Style: Weisse Beer

ABV: 4.2%

IBU: 19

Hops: Perle, Magnum for both see above)

HAZY PALE ALE

“A truly sessionable Pale Ale, hazy in opacity with tropical notes and a big mouth-feel.” Quite a bunch of hops here, from both Europe and the USA and no less than three used in a double dry hop. El Dorado, with its Apricot, Tropical and Citrus qualities, gets most of the credit for its impact on the aromatics and the flavours from the producers. See the full list below.

Style: Hazy Pale Ale

ABV: 4.1%

IBU: 31

Hops: Magnum, Mandarina Bavaria, Mosaic and Citra 

Dry Hops: Azacca, El Dorado and Citra

A couple of excellent reds: Malbec from Mendoza and a Gamay from the Loire.

A couple of excellent reds: Malbec from Mendoza and a Gamay from the Loire.

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Altos Las Hormigas “Terroir” Malbec Valle de Uco Mendoza 2018,13.5% ABV, 

RRP €26.99 The Corkscrew Baggot Street Wines Blackrock Cellar wineonline.ie

The ants (Las Hormigas) love newly planted vines. But the owners didn't want to poison them, after all the ants were the original inhabitants; they lived with the nuisance and then found that the ants had no interest in the vines once they began to grow. (Source: Wines of South America by Evan Goldstein.)

The fruit for this one hundred per cent Malbec comes from the Valle de Uco (in Argentina), an area known for its fine fruit and floral bouquets. Seventy five per cent of the wine is aged for 18 months in concrete piletas (pools) and 25% in untoasted large oak foudres. Then ageing for 6 months in the bottle.

Colour is a mid to deep ruby and there are aromas of plum and cherry; floral and herb notes too. So smooth, fresh and spicy also, the perfect introduction. And so it progresses harmoniously across the palate, the lively acidity playing its part, balancing the sweet ripe fruit all the way through to the long finalé, just a little grip from the tannins. This is a marvellous wine, from producers well respected for their Malbecs, and is Very Highly Recommended.

Suggested pairings are Mediterranean cuisine and red meats. Serve at 16 degrees. Keep for up to 7 years.

Importers Liberty tell us that friends and business partners Alberto Antonini and Antonio Morescalchi have come a long way since they were impressed by Mendoza’s vineyards on their first visit in 1995. “They have gone from being youthful interlopers to one of the country’s leading producers, as well as being pioneers of a more elegant style of Malbec.

Their combined wealth of experience as a winemaking team, as well as their never-ending experimentation and desire to produce the best wines that Argentina can offer, has made Altos Las Hormigas a Malbec specialist, with a reputation as one of the country’s top producers of this variety.

Geek Bits

Vintage: 2018
Varietal: Malbec
Region: Uco Valley, Mendoza
Winemakers: Alberto Antonini, Attilio Pagli
Serving temp: 16 degrees.
Keep: 7 years.
Closure: DIAM 10
Alcohol: 13.7%
Acidity: 5.7 g/l
pH: 3.75
Residual Sugar: 1.9 g/l

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Régnier David Gamay  (IGP) 2018, 12.5% 

€19.95 approx Saturday Pop-Up (2-5pm) at Grainstore Ballymaloe

You don’t come across Loire Valley Gamay very often in Ireland but that is indeed where this comes from. It is produced by artisan winemaker Regnier David based in Meigné sous Doué, quite close to the lovely city of Saumur.

Colour is a light ruby, as is more or less usual. Aromas from this 2018 are fruity (Blackberry) and floral (Violet) with hints of soil. it ambushes the palate with succulent fruit (with a bramble spine to it). It offers a generous juiciness, nice bit of acidity too and virtually no tannins in play. Pleasant finish, of medium length. Highly Recommended.

Smith & Whelan are the importers here and are based in Ballymaloe. Sacha Whelan is the grandson of Myrtle and Ian Allen, the couple who started Ballymaloe. S&M specialise in “quality, hand-picked wines that we enjoy drinking ourselves”. Initially, they concentrated on Spanish wines but have gradually expanded their offering into an interesting list.

Pairings:  Lighter meat dishes, charcuterie, are fine with Gamays. Cold meats, grilled poultry and cheese, salads, cold meats, grilled poultry, also. In the Loire, I’m told the local delicacy of river eel is a must with this Gamay.

Gamay is the main variety planted in Beaujolais where it thrives on the granite soils. The vast majority of the grape is grown in France and most of that in Beaujolais. Neighbouring regions such as Burgundy and the Loire raise small amounts.

When Market Lane cook for you, Resistance is zero

When Market Lane cook for you,

Resistance is zero

Rhubarb Crumble

The proof is in the pudding and so the best test of a restaurant is to eat their food. It is a test that Market Lane passes time and time again. As they did at lunch last Wednesday.

Rhubarb Lemonade

Just as well we had made a reservation. Their outside dining area on Oliver Plunkett Street was full and so was their even larger area on Beasley Street. It was packed and buzzing inside as well and we were fortunate to get a large table by a window.

It was one of those heatwave days so a drink was required. Not one with alcohol, even though I am a big fan of their own Elbow Lane beers! They have quite a choice of soft drinks including the usual suspects but also Wild Orchard Apple Juice and a couple of Fentiman’s (Trad. Ginger Beer and Curiosity Cola). Also a selection that they make themselves and from which I picked the delicious and refreshing Homemade Rhubarb Lemonade (€3.20).

The menu is a longish and varied one, even at lunchtime. Main dishes vary from a Vietnamese Chicken Salad to a Slow cooked Rosscarbery bacon collar, from Fish and Chips in an Elbow Lane batter to Pan Fried Hake with a smoked mussel and tomato sauce. And they also offer no less than eight side dishes.

My choice was the Korean bulgogi steak sandwich on sourdough baguette, chilli, sesame and soy marinade, carrots, spring onions, lime mayo and with a helping of excellent house chips (€16.90). A terrific dish and well priced. 

The marinade is key here and the kitchen certainly did it well and the meat was top quality; the sourdough was moistened as well and they all worked so well together, enhanced by the crunch of carrot strips and the onions, the salad leaves and those very tasty fries. Very Highly Recommended. I have tasted quite a few steak sandwiches this summer and oddly enough the two best are within metres of one another; my other favourite was a special at the Oliver Plunkett. Must have a head to head sometime!

We passed on the starters. They have six available ranging from Pea and Courgette fritters with Toonsbridge Fete, mint chutney and labneh to the more substantial Confit Lamb Croquettes with salad and more. You can choose from a range of sandwiches and there’s also a Soup and Sandwich Deal.

But I wasn’t going to pass on the desserts! The lists includes their well loved Orange and Vanilla Bread and Butter pudding, custard and whipped cream. Strawberry Glory, with Bushby’s Strawberries, also caught my eye as did most of the others to be honest.  How about the Ferrero dessert cocktail with Jameson Whiskey, Nutella and espresso garnished with more Nutella and hazelnuts? 

Market Lane photo (via the restaurant)

Having enjoyed the rhubarb drink earlier, I stuck with it for the sweet in the shape of a Roasted Rhubarb and walnut butter crumble with a little jug of warm custard €6.80). Outstanding, another toothsome recommendation for you.

After that it was out into the roasting afternoon, staying on the shady side of the streets as we headed across the north channel and the road to the hills.

Restaurant Info

Opening times:12-late 7 days.

Tel: 021 427 4710,

email: info@marketlane.ie,

Web: MarketLane.ie,

Insta & Facebook: /marketlanecork

Twitter: @market_lane

Taste of the Week. Viking Blackcurrant Liqueur

Taste of the Week

Viking Blackcurrant Liqueur

Viking Blackcurrant Liqueur 12.5% ABV, 500ml bottle, bought at Wine Pop-Up at Grainstore Ballymaloe

Lots of tips available on how best to use this superb Blackcurrant Liqueur by Waterford based Viking Drinks. In Kirs and Cocktails and also great with food, they say, including with Blackcurrant and Apple Strudel.

That Strudel stared me thinking. Not that there was any of it in the house. But there were some of those marvellous cherries from Con Traas’s Cahir Apple Farm. And, as if by magic, a Clafoutis was soon on the table.

The outside table that is as we are making the best of the fine weather. With the dinner finished, we sat down in the sun, cut slices of Clafoutis and poured a couple of small glasses (about 80ml) of the liqueur. Not quite a match made in heaven but certainly a winner thanks to two fantastic producers, one in Tipp, the other in Waterford. Our new Taste of the Week.

And a big thanks to May Dennison, mother of David Dennison (the producer of the liqueur and many more drinks beside). Here’s how he did it, following his mother’s recipe: Ben Cannon blackcurrants are blended with our Rondo red wine & our own honey for six days before being gently cold pressed and finished carefully with grape spirit.  This liqueur is sweet but not clawing. Footnote - This is an Award winning liqueur , Gold at Blas Na hÉireann awards, less viscous than 2020, with added Blackberry and Black Mulberry

How to use it:

Try as a Kir* or Kir Royale, as a mixer for your favorite gin or vodka or neat over ice as an after dinner digestive.

Cocktail Tip: ice, 2 parts gin, dash of blackcurrant liqueur, topped with Elderflower Tonic.

Cocktail Tip: ice, 2 parts vodka, dash of blackcurrant liqueur, slice of lime and topped with soda water.

Also great with food – try a dash over ice-cream or over a pavlova/meringue. Pairs brilliantly with blackcurrant and apple strudel with cream.

Winemakers tip: As this liqueur is unfiltered and may contain natural sediment shake gently before use. Store upright in a cool place when opened.

Limited Edition Product –  Available 6th of November 2021 . A perfect Christmas gift!

Suitable for vegans and coeliacs.

12.6% ABV

Available also online at Viking Drinks €26.95

See much more about the drink here 

*And speaking of kirs, here is one that came about more or less by accident. There was a little of the delicious Chateau Gairoird Organic Rose Côtes de Provence (from O'Briens Wine) left over towards the end of an evening, close to a glass. There was also a little drop of this marvellous Viking Blackcurrant Liqueur in the fridge so I introduced them to each other and this improvised Kir turned out to be quite a treat, even if the traditional Kir is made with white wine and creme de cassis (blackcurrant).

 

Full Programme Announced as Soul Fest 2022 is ready to have Cork Grooving From 26th - 28th August!

Programme Announced as Soul Fest 2022 is ready 

to have Cork Grooving From 26th - 28th August!

Soul Fest, Ireland’s only soul music festival is returning this August 26^th – 28^th with a jam-packed programme of soul, funk, food, drinks and entertainment taking over the city of Cork to see our summer out with a bang! With headline concerts in city hall and around 20 venues taking part across the city, as well as a live Soul Train, a Block party and pop up performances, Cork is in for a treat! 

 

Eventi Management, led by acclaimed Festival Director Sinéad Dunphy, brings Soul Fest and Cork’s own soul back to full throttle in association with Island’s Edge and with support from Cork Heritage Pub Trail, Cork’s Red FM and Cork City Council. Ms. Dunphy spoke with much enthusiasm of the festival, saying “ This is the ultimate party festival – and we want the people of Cork to come get their groove on with us, both day and night. Soul Fest has something for everyone and we want this Festival to be enjoyed by as many as possible, ensuring this Festival is made in Cork, made for the people of Cork and will always keep Cork city at its heart, we can think of nowhere else that has such Pure Soul!!”

 

As a pre-opener to the Festival, a soul selection taster event will be held at the Poor Relation on Thursday evening with some surprise guests getting everyone in the mood for the weekend ahead.  The Festival officially kicks off on Friday 26^th August with a live soul train grooving its way through the streets of Cork for all to enjoy. So, get your best moves ready to join this troop of groovemeisters as they rile bystanders of the People’s Republic with the finest moves, party-hearty enthusiasm and soulful mischief.

 

On Friday evening Laoise Leahy will kick off all things live and soulful with her big band in Cork City Hall bringing the majestic venue back to its groovier life, not seen since before the pandemic. Laoise’s rich tones will have ticketholders entranced while unveiling her highly anticipated album. The evening with Laoise will be opened by a new and upcoming soul songstress on the Cork music scene Briony O’Toole, who’s tipped to be one to watch in the coming months on her emerging rise as a soul and jazz vocalist. Briony who originally trained under Laoise at MTU Cork School of Music is set for a bright future. 

 

With such strong talent leading the charge for the weekend, Soul Fest is set up for a weekend of incredible experiences, and with a busy trail of pubs and venues on the programme, we’re only reassured of this fact. Soul Fest 2022 is brought to you by Eventi Management and in association with Island’s Edge and with both companies keen to deliver on the ultimate social experience in all that they do, over 20 venues are taking part in the Soul Fest trail, promising, groovy tunes, soulful food and drinks along with the very best that Cork has to offer. Details of all participating venues can be found on the soulfestcork.com website to make sure you don’t miss out!

 

With support from Cork Heritage Pub Trail, Saturday kicks off with a soulful brewery tasting tour at Rising Sons brewery with an accompanying special soul food bites on offer at the local brewery – booking is required and can be done so through the soulfestcork.com website. Throughout Saturday we’ll see more groovy tunes and pop events across numerous venues around the city before heading to Cork City Hall for Chicago-born, Soul-diva Karen Underwood and band taking to the stage. With such high acclaim following Karen Underwood, Saturday night of Soul Fest is already a winner for the festival circuit and Cork itself. 

Welcome to Music City

 

And if that all of that wasn’t enough the Sunday of the Festival is set alight with a much-anticipated Block Party on Cornmarket Street with the funkiest, grooviest and soul-shaking bands on the scene taking to the stage throughout the day from 1pm… Although Festival organisers are keeping a lid on the full line-up for the day, Festival Director Sinéad Dunphy told us we can expect the very best of tunes from some incredible bands including  The Art Crimes Band, Cosmic Funk, Quangodelic, The Papa Zitas and many more… this is a block party you’ll want to be at… 

 

To close out the Festival, Crane Lane Theatre will host a Festival Wrap Party til late in the popular live music venue making sure that the Festival goes out with a soulful bang with even more live music on offer from 8pm!

 

For more details on participating venues, and tickets for Cork City Hall concerts, visit www.soulfestcork.com or check out @soulfestcork across social media. 

 

Soul Fest is brought to you by Eventi Management in association with Island’s Edge and supported by Cork Heritage Pub Trail, Cork City Council and Cork’s Redfm.

press release