Cork's drifting west again
It’s a little-known fact that the entire county of Cork slopes gently west, so is it any wonder that one of region’s best festivals has drifted back down to Bantry Bay for a third year in a row?
From 5-7 September, the breathtakingly beautiful Garnish Island will once again come alive with the sights and sounds of The Island Drift festival.
Visitors can enjoy a full programme of free cultural walking tours featuring renowned writers, poets, musicians, and cultural creatives including author Kevin Barry, poet Victoria Kennefick, ornithologist Sean Ronayne, and much more happenings throughout the weekend. The island’s walking tour will take in iconic landmarks including the Italian Garden, Grecian Temple, Martello Tower, each hosting live performances of music along the way.
Highlights include three unmissable evening concerts: Susan O’Neill on Friday, The Blindboy Podcast live on Saturday, and the acclaimed songwriter Declan O’Rourke on Sunday. While daytime events are free, tickets for the evening concerts are available at eventbrite.ie.
Susan O’Neill begins proceedings with an idyllic concert on Garnish Island on 5 September. Known for her incredible voice and enchanting lyrics, the Clare-based singer has become one of Ireland’s finest songwriters.
On 6 September at 11am, head gardener Glyn Sherratt will guide visitors on a walking tour through the island’s horticultural highlights, sharing its botanical history, wildlife, and unique plant species. At 12pm, the Examiner’s food editor Joe McNamee brings his Grub Circus back to the island. He teams up with nutritionist and food systems expert Professor Steve Collins for a lively and insightful discussion. At 1pm, the Music Trail will fill the island’s paths with sound featuring performances by Eoin ‘Stan’ O’Sullivan, Tim Browne, and Niamh Dalton. At 2pm, acclaimed writer Kevin Barry will do readings and pieces from his many books and short stories. Saturday evening features a headline event from The Blindboy Podcast, running from 5.30-8pm beneath the canopy tent by the Casita Lawn.
On the mainland on Saturday evening, trad guitarist Eoin ‘Stan’ O’Sullivan is joined by percussionist Shane Murphy for an evening of bog jazz at the Blue Loo in Glengarriff at 9.30pm.
The following morning, 7 September, Glyn Sherratt returns for another walking tour at 11am, followed by a conversation and readings from Conal Creedon and Mairéad Hearne Driscoll at 12pm. At 1.30pm, ornithologist and sound recordist Seán Ronayne presents his unique archive of Irish wildlife sounds with audio clips and extracts from his ‘Nature Boy’ book. Then at 3pm, poet Victoria Kennefick joins writer Sarah Harte for readings and discussion among the island’s stunning natural settings.
The festival concludes with a magical seafaring Sunday evening concert featuring the much-loved Declan O’Rourke onboard the Harbour Queen ferry. Departing from Glengariff pier at 5.30pm, the concert finishing at 8pm
To attend the evening shows with Susan O’Neill, The Blindboy Podcast, and Declan O’Rourke, tickets must be purchased from eventbrite.ie beforehand. Each ticket includes a return ferry journey with Harbour Queen Ferries, departing from the Pier in Glengarriff at 5.30pm.
For more information and a full programme of events, visit theislanddrift.com.