Slowing Down for Autumn at the 14th West Cork Feel Good Festival

HSE South West, in partnership with the HSE 49 North Street hub in Skibbereen and local community organisations, is inviting everyone to take part in the 14th annual West Cork Feel Good Festival, running from 9-16 October. The festival aims to promote mental wellbeing through inclusive and uplifting events.

This year's theme is 'Ag moilliú do'n Fhómhar' (Slowing down for Autumn).

Highlights include Céiliúradh Continued, a celebration of 10 years at HSE South West's 49 North Street hub, and The Listening Project at Skibbereen Town Hall, to coincide with World Mental Health Day on 10 October. There will also be storytelling in Dunmanway and comedy in Clonakilty with Bernard O'Shea.

Music includes Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, John Spillane, Ger Wolfe, The Éirí 49 Céilí band and Tolu Makay. There will be film and more at Bantry Community Café, and Healthy Cooking and Living with Hungry Soul.

The programme also features 'An Insanely Good Sunday', a collaboration as part of Ireland's presidency of the European Union, along with go leor Gaeilge, including Gamelan Spéacha Geala, Abair Amhrán and Fite Fuaite. There will also be a programme of more informal workshops running throughout the entire month of October.

Annette Logan, Head of Service and HSE South West Integrated Healthcare Area (IHA) Lead, said:

"I look forward to the West Cork Feel Good Festival every year. It is a powerful example of what can be achieved when communities come together to support one another's mental health in a creative and fun way. By blending joy, creativity and open conversation, we're breaking down stigma and helping to build stronger local supports for mental health."

Councillor Bernard Moynihan, Mayor of the County of Cork, said:

"The continued growth of this festival, in every village from Beara to Bantry and beyond, reflects the strength of local collaboration and the appetite that's out there for community events. Cork County Council is proud to collaborate with other agencies aiming to tackle rural isolation and promote mental wellbeing through inclusive and uplifting events."

Kevin O'Shanahan, festival founder and HSE South West mental health specialist, added:

"The feedback from communities after last year's festival was that life today is fast-paced, stressful and by slowing down and looking after ourselves, we make it possible to then be of more service to others. The most honest way to share that message is to live it. This year's programme has therefore been planned, so that every event in it has been given room to breathe. We hope you'll slow down for Autumn with us."

Martin Ryan, HSE South West Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention, said:

"This is more than a festival - it's a living network of hope, recovery and support. People leave the festival events feeling connected, informed and less alone. That's how we reduce stigma in our communities and help to prevent suicide."

For more information and a full programme of events, visit the West Cork Feel Good Festival website.