Leeside youth set to rock your block off
Marking Cruinniú na nÓg 2026, the hugely popular one-day music extravaganza, Rock the Block, will this time take place in the Carnegie Courtyard at Cork City Library.
This Saturday, the public can expect hours of non-stop music from across the numerous programmes run by organisers Music Generation Cork City.
Performances on the day include The Kabin Studio, Cork Barrack Street and Mahon Community Youth Bands, Cork City Learning Support Services, Foróige Mayfield, and CDYS The Hut. A highlight of the day’s performances will be the hotly anticipated debut EP release from the lil’ legend that is TINY (aka MC Tiny of RTÉ's 'Late Late Toy Show' fame.). Widely recognised for his lyrical prowess, TINY has become a favourite of the big screen in recent years, with stellar turns in award winning films ‘Christie’ and ‘Gealtra’.
Joining the festivities all the way from the north will be a group of musical adventurers from Belfast’s Oh Yeah! Music Centre. Following on from recent collaborations with The Kabin Studio and Creative Tradition, this intrepid bunch are sure to impress, with their unique blend of rock, trad, and rap.
Now in its fourth year, Rock the Block kicks off on Saturday with the iconic Rap-A-Mile event, a boisterous music-in-motion parade through Cork city centre. Entourages don’t get more colourful and lyrical than this crew, so be sure to be wide for their on-street antics! ‘Rap-A-Mile’ kicks off at 11.30am from Cork City Library, with the main programme of events running from 1-5.30pm at Cork City Library.
Rock the Block 2026 is an event celebrating Cruinniú na nÓg 2026 and is supported by Cork City Council and Creative Ireland.
Cruinniú na nÓg is a day of free creativity for children and young people and is a flagship initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme’s Creative Youth Plan. Ireland is the first, and only, country in the world to have a national day of free creativity for children and young people under 18. Rock the Block runs is a free event running from 1-5.30pm this Saturday, however, booking is highly advisable via Eventbrite.ie.