Gathering to celebrate on a very special Easter
Cruinniú na Cásca takes place for the very first time this Easter Monday and is to be held every Easter Monday henceforth. One of the cornerstones of the National Creative Ireland Initiative, Cruinniú na Cásca, is a new national day of cultural celebration, which focuses on and celebrates, the wonderful culture that surrounds and connects us all here in Ireland.
With the support of Cork County Council, over 20 events have been organised by community groups throughout County Cork to convey the importance of culture to our everyday lives, ranging from art and creativity to local history, music, language and folklore right through to our natural heritage and archaeological/architectural heritage.
In the Regional Park, Ballincollig, Ted Cook will discuss how nature inspires creativity; the Pards will perform a re-enactment to give an insight into past military cultures and a fully participative African drumming session will also take place.
In Carrigaline, there will be a wonderful afternoon of history and culture, music and song, for all to enjoy in the recently opened Centenary Garden at Millwood.
Commencing at 9pm in the Abbey Hotel, Ballyvourney, a large Céilí will take place and all are welcome.
In Bridgetown Abbey, Castletownroche, an afternoon of traditional Irish music and ecclesial heritage will take place with thanks to the traditional Irish group (Ceol Ó Thuaidh (pupils from local Cork ETB schools)) and County Archaeologist Mary Sleeman.
Meanwhile in Kinsale the Kinsale Amateur Orchestral Society will be performing and people can also learn of an exciting new cultural project relating to the Battle of Kinsale.
Clonakilty will see plenty of cultural activity by way of traditional Irish music in Emmet Place with chalk painting in Astna Square and the Michael Collins Museum will also be open to the public for free.
In addition, Dúchas Clonakilty Heritage will give a walking cultural/historical tour of the town.
In the Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh, Liam Ó Maonlaí will perform to what is expected to be a full crowd (booking essential) and in Fermoy Youth Centre, Eilís Ní Bhriain will give a fascinating bilingual (Irish and English) talk on An tAthar Peadar Ó Laoghaire, who was a truly renowned patron of the creative Ireland of his era. Spike Island will also be offering a free tour of the island, and in particular, the recently opened Aud Exhibition.
One of the largest events of the day takes place in the Grounds of Mallow Castle from 3pm - 5.30pm with the very first Mallow Pipe Band Gathering. The afternoon will see pipe bands from all over the county perform at a free public concert with thanks to the Arts Office of Cork County Council and the Mallow Kanturk Municipal District.
In Millstreet, the museum will be open to the public from 2 – 4pm, followed by a walking tour of the town, itself steeped in culture and heritage. Rockchapel will see the performance of a 1916 themed production that evening.
In Skibbereen, a ‘Made in Cork’ day will take place at Uilinn West Cork Arts Centre. This will be an event packed with family activities and early in the evening a walking tour of Skibbereen Town’s culture and heritage will take place.
In East Cork, the day commences at 10am with a free tour of the newly opened cultural tourism attraction, the Youghal Clock Gate Tower, followed in St. Mary’s Collegiate Church and the Mall Arts Centre with a range of cultural and musical performances from 2.30 – 6pm.
In looking ahead to this special day, Cork County Council’s Chief Executive notes, “The County of Cork is endowed with a wealth of culture and creativity and Cruinniú na Cásca will be a wonderful opportunity for the community groups throughout the county to highlight the wonderful culture and heritage that surrounds and connects us all.’
Speaking in County Hall, at the launch of the inaugural Cruinniú na Cásca, Mayor of County Cork, Councillor Séamus McGrath, welcomed the Cruinniú na Cásca Initiative and commended the multitude of groups participating on the day.
“Cruinniú na Cásca is taking place with thanks to a great number of community groups and organisations... I encourage everyone, young and old, to participate in the day, to show what culture truly means to us here in the wonderful County of Cork,” he said.
Further events are also set to take place and remember that these events are free and fully inclusive. Full details of events are available on www.corkcoco.ie/ heritage; nationally via https:// cruinniu.rte.ie/country-events/ or by emailing creativeireland@ corkcoco.ie.