Summer music series begins

West Cork will be filled with music and melodies as a series of summer music performances takes hold in June, July and August.

Launched by Cork County Council, the Special Music Event Scheme provides funding for voluntary music groups to organise and perform up to four music events in their local town.

The scheme returned on Sunday 1 June, for the eighth year with a concert by Ballinspittle Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in Kinsale. The traditional musicians will return to Jim Edwards Square in the town later this month and in August.

Events in Clonakilty begin on Saturday 7 June with a performance in Emmet Square from 12pm by Clonakilty Comhaltas. Clonakilty Brass Band will also perform in the town this summer. Concerts in Skibbereen also commence on Saturday 7 with St Fachtna’s Silver Band on the Bridge from 11am. Skibbereen Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will play at the same location in July and August.

Bandon Concert Band and Baile Núis Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will run events in Bandon from Friday 27 July. While in Dunmanway, there will be four Thursday performances by Dunmanway Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in Sam Maguire Plaza.

Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Joe Carroll said: “It is wonderful to see the return of this initiative to promote tourism and to celebrate the vibrant music culture of West Cork. What makes these events so special is that they are community led and feature local traditional musicians, as well as concert, silver and brass bands. There will be 20 performances in total this summer and all are free to attend. I hope that people will make a special effort to attend and to experience all that our West Cork towns have to offer.”