Cork Libraries to Celebrate International Women's Day with Talks, Workshops and Cultural Events

Cork County Council Library and Arts Service has announced a countywide programme of events to mark International Women's Day 2026, with activities taking place across libraries in Cork County from Thursday, 5th March through to the end of the month.

International Women's Day falls on Sunday, 8th March this year. The theme for 2026, "Give to Gain," highlights the role communities play in creating opportunities for women and girls through collective support and shared knowledge.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, said:

"This year's Give to Gain theme emphasises the power of reciprocity and support. Sharing knowledge and encouragement with others is key to Give to Gain. Libraries throughout the county will host special events and book displays celebrating and supporting women."

Events kick off this week, with a Forest Bathing Meditation session at Mitchelstown Library at 11.30am on Thursday, 5th March. Kanturk Library follows on Friday, 6th March at 11.30am with a talk on the Journey to Women's Voting Rights. On Saturday, 7th March, Bantry Library hosts a make-up masterclass at 3pm, while Kinsale Library holds a women's poetry reading at the same time. Midleton Library will also host a talk by Patricia Curtin on the women and girls from Midleton's workhouse who emigrated to Sydney in 1850, beginning at 11am on Saturday, 7th March.

All of the above events are free and open to all, with no booking required.

Skills For Life is marking International Women's Day with two free Mindful Mending workshops led by designer Alice Halliday, focused on sustainable dressing. The workshops take place at Skibbereen Library on Friday, 6th March from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, and at Dunmanway Library on Saturday, 7th March from 2pm to 4pm. Booking is essential for both sessions; contact the relevant branch to reserve a place.

Later in the month, Healthy Ireland will host free talks with Registered Dietician and Gut Health specialist Aoife McDonald, focusing on Women's Health. These take place at Carrigaline Library at 12pm and Midleton Library at 3pm, both on Saturday, 14th March. No booking is required.

On Saturday, 28th March, Dr Sabine Eggers, PhD Pharm, BSc Pharm, MPSI will deliver a talk on the hidden cost of stress and how to manage it, at Mitchelstown Library at 11am and Mallow Library at 2pm. These talks are also free and open to all without booking.

Rounding out the programme, the fifth annual IWD Flash Fiction short story competition for adults is now open for entries in both Irish and English. Entry forms and details are available at local library branches or on the Cork County Council website at www.corkcoco.ie. The closing date for entries is 31st March.

For full details on all events, contact your local library branch, visit www.corkcoco.ie, or email corkcountylibrary@corkcoco.ie.