Cork Airport to Host 'Flights & Bites' Food Market for Cork on a Fork Fest

Cork Airport will host a free "Flights & Bites" food market on its plaza this Friday, 14 August, as part of the returning "Cork on a Fork Fest". The five-day festival, running from 12 to 16 August, celebrates Cork's food culture with events across the city.

"Cork on a Fork Fest" returns to Cork city from 12 to 16 August 2026, marking another five days of events celebrating the region's food heritage, hospitality and artisan producers. The festival is organised by Cork City Council in partnership with local hospitality businesses, chefs, food producers and tourism stakeholders.

This year, Cork Airport will take part in the festival programme by hosting "Flights & Bites" on the airport plaza from 12pm to 6pm on Friday, 14 August. The free event will feature local artisan food vendors, coffee and sweet treats, along with live music from local singer-songwriter Cathal Fitz. Food and drink will be available on a pay-on-consumption basis.

The wider festival programme includes dining experiences, food trails, tastings, cookery demonstrations, workshops, talks and family-friendly activities across the city. Highlights include "Proper Sausage Making" on Thursday, 13 August; the "French & Cork Cheese Tasting Experience" on Friday, 14 August, which is booked out; a "Whiskey and Chocolate Pairing" on Saturday, 15 August; the English Market Makers Demos and Tastings on Sunday, 16 August; and "The VQ Shared Table" on MacCurtain Street on Wednesday, 12 August, also booked out.

Cork Airport has supported "Cork on a Fork Fest" through its Community Fund since the festival's foundation. The Cork Airport Community Fund 2026 has committed to 15 socially progressive partnerships this year, supporting local organisations, clubs and festivals that promote arts, culture, education, tourism and sports.

Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director of Cork Airport:

"Cork Airport is thrilled to be a partner of 'Cork on a Fork Fest', supported through our Community Fund. We never take for granted, the importance of quality food to the visitor experience and with over 60% of Irish artisan producers located in the wider Cork region, we are proud of that heritage. We commend Cork City Council for this food festival, which has now formed an important part of the visitor calendar for our region, and we encourage passengers travelling next Friday to enjoy some artisan food outside the terminal before their flight!"

Councillor Damian Boylan, Lord Mayor of Cork:

"'Cork on a Fork Fest' has become one of the highlights of our city's event calendar, attracting visitors from across Ireland and beyond while celebrating the incredible food culture throughout our region. We are grateful to Cork Airport for its continued support of the festival through its Community Fund. As the first point of arrival for many visitors to Cork, the airport plays a vital role in promoting our city and region and helping us showcase the very best of what Cork has to offer."

"Cork on a Fork Fest" is supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Visit Cork, Cork Business Association, LEO Cork City, the Irish Hotels Federation Cork, MTU, Science Ireland and headline sponsor Musgrave, along with a host of event partners. Full programme and booking details are available at www.corkonaforkfest.ie.