19 July 2016
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
Mundy wasn’t the only fan of July as festival season continues at pace in Cork City Centre. There truly is something for everyone with July being another jam packed month of spectacular festivals and events.
The Laya City Spectacular takes runs over the weekend of July 16/17 in Fitzgeralds Park, showcasing the best in international street performance, interactive family activations and workshops, delicious artisan producers and street food from around the world as well. A lizardman, contortionists, beat boxers, mysterious magicians and many more will amaze you for a weekend of world class, award winning street performances.
Making a splash too will be the annual Vibes & Scribes Swim on July 16th. The Lee Swim is a point-to-point swimming race through the centre of the city and is organised as a fun event, open to all competent swimmers. An entry of approximately 600 swimmers is expected, making the event the biggest open-water swim in Ireland. The Swim is approximately 2km in length and follows a unique course that exploits the fact that the centre of Cork City is an island. There is a carnival atmosphere to the Swim, with celebrations continuing late into the evening.
Keep an eye and ear out on the streets of the city centre the following week for the melodic children’s voices of summer SING! This is a week long festival of song for children where young singers experience the rich history and culture of Cork City while nurturing their natural singing ability. This unique festival week culminates in a concert performance in City Hall on July 22nd. All Summer SING! Performances are free and open to the public.
Picnics, paintballing and parades are just some of the many events forming part of the colourful Cork LGBT Pride Festival. This will take place in the last week of July with the Family Fair day opening the week on Sunday the 24th and the annual Parade being held on Sunday the 31st.
The month concludes with the ever popular Mother Jones festival and summer school in Shandon. This is dedicated to the memory of Mary Harris/Mother Jones and inspirational people everywhere who fight for social justice. Her cry of ‘Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living’ still reverberates through history. There are several high profile speakers again this year including trade unionist Jack O Connor, retired Judge Catherine Mc Guinness and journalists Fergal Keane and Justine Mc Carthy.
There is something for everyone this July so come and enjoy the unique experience that is Cork city centre’ said Paul Mc Guirk, Cork City Council. ‘From swimmers to singers, and street performers to summers schools, there is lots to see and do in Cork city centre this July. ‘
http://www.cityspectacular.com/cork
