Cork City Launches Car-Free 'Open Streets' Summer Series with Lapps Quay Event

Cork City Council will kick off its inaugural 'Open Streets' programme next Saturday, May 31, transforming Lapps Quay into a car-free zone filled with live music, family activities and creative workshops from 2pm to 6pm.

The event, taking place directly across the river from City Hall, marks the beginning of a seven-event summer series designed to encourage residents to visit the city centre without their cars by walking, cycling or using public transport.

Cork City Council has partnered with Cork Chamber, Cork Business Association, Cork Environmental Forum, Transport & Mobility Forum, Cork Cycling Group, Bus Éireann, Irish Rail, Cork Volunteers Centre and An Garda Síochána to deliver the programme. The opening event will run in association with Meitheal Mara, Ocean to City and Let's Play Cork.

Summer Programme Unveiled

Following the Lapps Quay launch, six additional events will take place throughout the summer:

The Shandon Festival on Saturday, June 21, organised by Shandon Area Renewal Association and the Shandon Festival Working group, will feature activities across the Shandon area.

Sunday, June 22 will see the Animal Operetta in the city centre, where seven monumental red giraffes will parade through the streets led by an operatic diva and ringmasters. The Cork Midsummer Festival collaboration will feature performances at 2pm and 9pm.

August brings two weekend events: 'Playing with food!' on August 16-17 will create pop-up play events with a food theme on Cornmarket Street, whilst the North Main Street Carnival on August 23 will transform the street into a hub of music, games and food.

The Blackpool Festival follows on Sunday, August 24, organised by Blackpool Community Centre, Cork Community Artlink, HSE Community Work Department and Community Gardaí.

September concludes the series with Douglas Street Autumnfest on September 7, led by Douglas Street Business Association, and 'Cork's Culture of Street Play' on Friday, September 19, featuring city centre activities celebrating creativity.

Climate Action Initiative

The Open Streets concept forms part of a two-year campaign and net zero city pilot project. Research commissioned by Cork City Council's Climate Action Unit revealed that 29% of greenhouse gas emissions in Cork city stem from road transport.

Public support for the initiative appears strong, with studies showing 64% of Cork residents strongly agree the city must transform into a more sustainable, climate-neutral place. Additionally, 86% want more pedestrianised streets, whilst 80% believe increasing space for socialising, walking and cycling on local main streets would improve their areas.

The programme aims to reimagine streets as shared community spaces for health, wellbeing and recreation rather than solely for vehicles. Car parks remain unaffected for those requiring vehicle access.

Cork City Council welcomes suggestions from other community groups interested in hosting similar events in their areas.