Festive initiatives launched to support businesses and communities
The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan is encouraging everyone to experience the magic of Christmas on their doorstep in the run-up to December 25th as part Cork County Council’s A Real Cork Christmas campaign.
Cork County Council has launched a series of initiatives, including live performances and light installations, designed to ensure people experience the real Christmas spirit and atmosphere while supporting County Cork businesses this festive season.
Adding to the Christmas atmosphere will be legendary singer-songwriters Mary Coughlan and Frankie Gavin for a Cork Co Co Pops Christmas Special. In total, audiences will have 81 live performances at 40 indoor and outdoor locations to choose from.
ON YOUR DOORSTEP
Locally, performances include comedian Tadhg Hickey (In One Eye, Out The Other) in St Georges Arts & Heritage Centre, Mitchelstown on Friday, December 3rd, while Rebecca Storm will perform at the same venue the following night, Saturday 4th. 10 live care home performances in County Cork, featuring a programme of light classical music and popular Cork songs, will see the Cork Pops Quartet visit both Fermoy Community Hospital and Amberley Home & Retirement Cottage on Tuesday, December 7th (for residents only). Thursday, December 9th will see an evening with Frankie Gavin, Martin O’Connor with Catherine McHugh at Kilworth Community Centre.
Moving further into December, Majella Cullagh with the BelCanto Choir will visit Mitchelstown’s St Georges Arts & Heritage Centre on Saturday, December 11th, while Monday 13th will see ‘An afternoon with Mary Coughlan & Friends’ in Kilworth Community Centre. Cork Pops Quartet visit Aperee Living, Conna on Wednesday 15th again with their take on light classical music along with popular Cork songs.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan says A Real Cork Christmas aims to bolster communities and businesses, “The sparkling Christmas lights are shining brightly across the county. We want to create a wonderful festive atmosphere in our towns and villages in the run-up to Christmas and highlight the unique businesses on our doorstep. A Real Cork Christmas is just that, it’s real not virtual. It is to be discovered by visiting our towns and villages, enjoying the lights, a hot chocolate and picking up some unique items that you can touch, feel and bring home with you.”
‘LET THERE BE LIGHT’
A theme throughout A Real Cork Christmas in 2021 is ‘Let There Be Light’. Stunning displays of Christmas lights have been turned on in every town and village. Unique light installations can also be discovered in the windows of many of the Council’s local libraries, as Transition Year students from eight secondary schools work with artists to create a very special display that must be seen to be appreciated.
Cork County Council is also creating a special video to promote the offering across the county this festive season, focusing on the importance of Christmas to businesses and showcases a selection of local retailers, hoteliers and restaurants, some of whom have been in operation for generations. The video features an array of Christmas lights across the county, including new and improved illuminations in Mallow, festive trimmings in Fermoy and festooned lighting in Cobh. It also includes highlights from a very special visit by Santa Claus himself, enjoying a whistle-stop shopping trip to Cork County. The video will be released on the Council’s social platforms this week.
Coláiste Fionnchua, Mitchelstown and Patrician Academy, Mallow are amongst the schools whose Transition Year students have created light displays for their local library using various media, including paint, paper, fibre, LED displays and fairy lights. The library installations will be in place for the duration of the festive period.
Visit www.corkcoco.ie for the full Cork Co Co Pops Christmas Special programme.