Free Arts Workshops Coming to Cork County Libraries Throughout May

Cork County Council has launched its Bealtaine 2026 programme, offering a wide range of free workshops and events at libraries across the county throughout May. Supported by the Arts Council, the Age Friendly Programme and Creative Ireland, the programme celebrates arts and creativity in older age.

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

"Bealtaine is a wonderful opportunity for people to reconnect with their creativity, try something new, or rediscover a skill in a welcoming and supportive setting. This year's programme offers an impressive range of free workshops and events in libraries right across the county, highlighting the vital role our libraries continue to play as inclusive, creative and accessible spaces for people of all ages."

Activities on offer include crafting, creative writing, crime writing, poetry, foraging, puppetry, photography and music. All workshops are free, all materials are supplied and no prior experience is required.

Events on the West Cork islands include a forage walk and workshop on Sherkin Island on 8th May with Samuel Arnold Keane, exploring seaweed traditions and contemporary uses. On 14th May, Oileán Chléire Library will host a demonstration of traditional string puppetry featuring wooden carved characters rooted in Mughal palace culture.

Writing workshops are taking place county-wide. Award-winning crime novelist Casey King (Marie O'Halloran) leads Let's Talk Crime sessions in Charleville and Mitchelstown Libraries, covering novel writing, developing ideas and submitting work to agents. Stories Among Friends workshops in Mallow and Fermoy Libraries help participants find their writing voice, while a Life Writing workshop with author and poet David McLoghlin comes to Carrigaline Library. In Newmarket Library, Laura O'Mahony will guide attendees through storytelling techniques and character development.

Visual arts and craft workshops include Dreamcatcher Weaving with Julie Forrester in Macroom, Millstreet and Skibbereen Libraries; a ceramics workshop in Cobh Library; and a mixed media and paper flower session in Bandon Library with West Cork artist Deirdre Crowley. Wet felting workshops with visual artist Catherine Callanan take place in Midleton and Youghal Libraries, while a drawing workshop with Fiona Boniwell comes to Kanturk Library.

A smartphone photography workshop with Chris Finnegan in Clonakilty Library will cover lighting, composition and styling. Music workshops with Kevin McNally and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann are also scheduled across several libraries.

The Bealtaine Talks Programme features writers and media personalities including Madeline D'Arcy and Kate Barry in Macroom Library, and Cónal Creedon and Mairéad Herne O'Driscoll from Two for the Road at Creedon's Hotel in Inchigeela. Additional speakers are to be announced.

To book a place at any event, contact your local library by phone, email or in person.