Cork City is Ireland’s second city, and has long recognised culture as one of the city’s most important assets. With a proud legacy from 2005, as a European Capital of Culture, Cork is home to Crawford Gallery, Cork Opera House, The Everyman Theatre, Triskel Christchurch, Firkin Crane, the Glucksman Gallery, and many other cultural organisations. Cork Midsummer Festival, Cork Film Festival, Cork International Choral Festival, World Book Festival, Cork Short Story Festival, and Cork Folk Festival are only some of the festivals that have earned Cork a reputation as a city of Festivals.

Music Generation Cork City and Beag, an arts programme based in childcare centres, are innovative cultural programmes that ensure quality arts experiences for young people. Corks St Patrick’s Day parade is famed for its friendliness, while Cork Community Artlink and Dowtcha Puppets work with many communities around the city to ensure that the parade is very inclusive. Corcadorca and Graffiti Theatre Company are internationally recognised theatre companies firmly rooted in the city. Cork City and County Archives, and Cork Public Museum, both connect us to our past. Cork is proud of its cultural heritage and the city has ensured that heritage buildings have been sensitively repurposed for cultural use. Elizabeth Fort, St Peters, St Lukes, the National Sculpture Factory and Wandsford Quay Complex provide a combination of artist support spaces and public access to culture.

This is a city that has a history of international connection, and a strong tradition of creative excellence. Cork has produced many thinkers, creatives and innovators, and remains a city of cultural creativity and innovation. The influences of scientists George Boole, Dr Vincent Barry and John Tyndall, writers Frank O’Connor, Seán Ó Ríordáin, and Sean O’Faolain, revolutionary thinkers Thomas Davis and Terence McSwiney, artists John Barry and Seamus Murphy, religious philanthropists Nano Nagle and Fr Mathew, musicians Aloys Fleischmann, Seán Ó Riada and Rory Gallagher continue to inspire generations.

Contemporary practitioners across all disciplines ensure that Cork remains a place of cultural originality. Third level training in all art forms, including art and design, architecture, film, music, theatre and literature is offered at very high levels in the city. University College Cork and Cork Institute of Technology ensure that there is a vibrant exchange between academics, students and the cultural sector across the city. A City of Learning, Cork has a commitment to life-long learning.