CurrentLee Arts Festival | 10 April 2024Blank mobile CurrentLee Arts Festival | 10 April 2024Blank
CurrentLee Arts Festival | 10 April 2024

CurrentLee Arts Festival | 10 April 2024

CurrentLee Arts Festival | 10 April 2024

CurrentLee Arts Festival is an interactive event at Cork Opera House on the 10th of April, 2024.

Overlooking the River Lee, the festival celebrates this unique city by bringing people in and of Cork together. In collaboration with Cork-based artists, we invite you to create and explore through an immersive journey within Cork Opera House.

With FREE and ticketed events for all ages please see information below.


Cork’s Corner

FREE (No booking required) | 10.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m.

Immerse yourself in Cork’s Corner at the Opera House, where local artists shine outdoors in Emmet’s Garden and the foyer buzzes with live music, open mic sessions, and dialogues, creating a vibrant celebration of community and creativity.

Open Atelier (10.30 – 12.00)
– Sketching with Maeve O’Keeffe

Networking for creative professionals (11.00 – 12.00)
– Ciara O’Mahony

Open Atelier Crafting Circle (12.10 – 1.40)
– Open Crochet and Knitting Circle with Katie Ahern

Poets and writers Circle (1.00 – 2.00)
– Open Mic by j.j.f

Sketching Workshop (2.00 – 3.30)
– Watercolour workshop with Alan Hurley

Music and Jam Session
– 3.00- 3.30 SNUG with Jon McCarthy and Emily Donoghue
– 3.30- 4.30 Open Jam Session

Small Talks with Big Impact (4.30 – 5.30)
–  Talks with Jon Pearson

Theatre Quest

SCHOOLS ONLY | FREE (Booking Essential) | 10.00 a.m. – 2.00 p.m.

Primary school adventurers explore backstage at Cork Opera House.

See Memories Attached

FREE (Booking Essential) | 10.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m.

Step into the vibrant tapestry of Cork’s history, present, and future as six individuals invite you into their lives through an immersive journey spanning six unique dressing rooms at Cork Opera House – where memories come alive.

See Memories Attached is a series of six multi-sensory immersive exhibitions aimed towards opening doors to the inter-generational lives of six different people living in Cork. Through exhibited interviews, photographs, film and physical memento, we invite you to have a conversation with a range of Cork personalities and discover their personal stories.

– Cónal Creedon

– Karen Underwood

– Annamarie Fegan

– Morty McCarthy

– Valerie Mulcahy

The Maker’s Den

Tickets €10 | Workshop One: 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. | Workshop Two: 4.30 p.m. – 6.30 p.m.

Explore the crafting world of Lino Printing and Collaging with interactive workshops taking place on the Cork Opera House main stage.

The Maker’s Den is a crafting zone based on a two-hour presentation of lino printing and collaging taking place on the mainstage of Cork Opera House. Through the guidance of John Bastow (lino) and Aleesha Wiegandt (collage), audiences will have the opportunity to carve and print their own lino print on postcards, ending with a chance to contribute to a large canvas creating a vision of Cork using recycled newspapers and Cork Opera House programmes.

Leeside Promenade

Tickets €15 | 7.30 p.m.

Journey within Cork Opera House in a three part celebration of Cork’s arts scene throughout the past, present and future.

Join us as we journey through Cork Opera House in a celebration of Cork’s past, present, and future. Through a showcase of music, dance, and improv comedy, Leeside Promenade is a celebration of Cork’s arts scene.

Suitability: 12+

Conversations With Strangers

FREE (Booking Essential) | 9.30 p.m.

Inviting curious and socially intriguing questions, Conversations with Strangers is a unique, across-the-table event where everyone is welcome to engage in informal, open dialogue and nurture new connections.

Thought provoking, yet casual and fun, Conversations with Strangers is a one-off, unique across-the-table event where everyone is welcome to engage in informal and open dialogue, facilitated and guided by curious and socially intriguing questions. In a safe, informal yet intimate setting, and following a short opening performance, participants are encouraged to engage their curiosity and learn about others in this ticketed, late-night event. Directed but flexible, the questions cover a range of topics and ideas and are intended to lead discussions.

Suitability: 18+


Creating Together

CurrentLee Arts Festival is produced by the student’s of UCC’s MA Arts Management and Creative Producing in collaboration with Cork Opera House as part of Creating Together.