Rosie O Donnell – Common Knowledge

Rosie O’Donnell makes her long-awaited return to the stage with Common Knowledge, her first stand-up show in nearly a decade. Now living in her newly adopted hometown of Dublin, Rosie reflects on the move, the culture shift, family life, and the humbling and hilarious realisation that maybe you don’t have it all figured out. Don’t miss this fresh take from a comedy icon, chock full of sharp insight, big laughs and brilliantly personal storytelling.


SPECIAL EFFECTS: This production may contain Strobe Lighting, Flashing Lights, Smoke and Haze.

AGE GUIDANCE: Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

*Performance schedule and times are subject to change and may be affected by illness or events beyond the producers’ or venues’ control. Performers, dates, times, prices, and fees are subject to change without notice.

Jack L

Renowned for his extraordinary voice, theatrical flair, and charismatic stage presence, Jack will bring audiences on an unforgettable musical journey through his celebrated career, performing fan favourites from Wax, Metropolis Blue, The Story So Far, and his most recent studio albums, Magic Days and Echo On.

The show will also include highlights from his acclaimed project, Chez Jack L: Love, Sex, Death + More, with Jack’s powerful interpretations of songs by Jacques Brel, Leonard Cohen, and Kurt Weill, alongside his own original material.

Audiences can expect an electrifying evening of song and storytelling — a signature blend of passion, humour, and drama that reaffirms Jack Lukeman as one of Ireland’s most compelling live performers. A multi-platinum artist from Athy, Co. Kildare, Jack has toured the world, sharing stages with Sting, Jools Holland, and Trevor Horn. His live shows have earned acclaim for their mix of powerful vocals, emotional storytelling, and theatrical invention — a rare and captivating experience for audiences everywhere.


SPECIAL EFFECTS: This production may contain Strobe Lightning, Flashing Lights, Smoke and Haze.

AGE GUIDANCE: Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult.

*Performance schedule and times are subject to change and may be affected by illness or events beyond the producers’ or venues’ control. Performers, dates, times, prices, and fees are subject to change without notice.

Macbeth

Red ‘n Blue Theatre Company brings a powerful new production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth to The Opera House. This dynamic and visually striking staging promises an unforgettable theatrical experience and an invaluable
resource for students preparing for the Leaving Certificate.

This production is kindly supported by The Tomar Trust, Cork City Council, and Tipperary County Council.

About Red ‘n Blue Theatre Company
Red ‘n Blue Theatre is founded by husband-and-wife duo Dylan Kennedy and Jenny Fennessy, who have previously worked at the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre (London), The Abbey, The Donmar Warehouse, Barbican, National Theatre of Scotland, BBC, Channel 4, and RTÉ.

Their debut production, LOVESONG, sold out 16 performances across Cork, Waterford, and Dublin, earning five Waterford News and Star Green Room Award nominations and winning Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress. Their second production, THE FLAGS, received six more nominations and won Best Play of the Year 2022, Best Set, and Best Supporting Actress (Jenny Fennessy).

Most recently, TABOO was nominated for Best Play 2024, Best Actress, and Best Director, with Dylan Kennedy winning Best Supporting Actor.


Duration: Approx. 2 hours (including a short interval)

To Book: Contact rednbluetheatre@gmail.com | ☎ 087 920 7730

We will not be taking bookings online or through the Cork Opera House Box Office.

Mike Denver

Mike Denver, one of Galway’s favourite sons is riding the crest of a wave.

His audience is vast throughout Ireland, North and South and he is now making inroads in the the UK with some sellout concerts in England and Scotland over the past couple of years.

With his excellent backing band Mike presents a two and a half hour high energy concert show which features all his hits including ‘Tommy K’, ‘Wasn’t that a Party’, ‘Galway Girl’, “Blown Away’, plus hits from the 60’s and 70’s.

Special Guests on the night will be Brendan Shine, Effie Neill and Jack Keogh.


SPECIAL EFFECTS: This production may contain Strobe Lighting, Flashing Lights, Smoke and Haze.

AGE GUIDANCE: Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult

*Performance schedule and times are subject to change and may be affected by illness or events beyond the producers’ or venues’ control. Performers, dates, times, prices, and fees are subject to change without notice.

Culture Night – Hear, Here!

A New Way of Listening to Cork.

Hear, Here! is an immersive sound installation that harnesses the unique technological infrastructure and acoustic character of Cork Opera House to redefine how we listen to, and experience space. This is the culmination of extensive research into spatial audio, site-specific acousmatic composition, and auditory world-building. Audiences can actively engage with the familiar venue in an unconventional and exploratory way.

Celebrating the 170 th anniversary of Cork Opera House as a historical and cultural beacon in the heart of the city, UCC MRes student Joshua Dyson reflects on the legacy and evolving presence from its origins as the Athenaeum. The work explores the sounds of the city, fed back into the arts and what contemporary listening reveals. Beyond the architectural and technological offerings of Cork Opera House, Dyson will present a site-specific arrangement of interdependent speakers in a multichannel format throughout the building. Listeners are invited to let curiosity and attentive hearing guide their movement, experiencing not just the sounds emitted by individual speakers, but also how the concrete walls, carpets, and layout informs the sonic environment.

The installation is the result of UCC’s Masters by Research Studentship and the UCC-Cork Opera House Creating Together Partnership. This installation runs for two hours. Audience members can come and go as they please within the timeframe.

Cork Heritage Day – Cork Opera House Tour

This year, Cork Opera House celebrates its 170th anniversary and is looking back on its long and important legacy while also planning and growing into the future. To celebrate Heritage Day, we are inviting you to see parts of Cork Opera House that you may have never seen before!

Starting its life as The Athenaeum and designed by John Benson, it was officially opened on Emmett Place in 1855 with the aim of promoting science, literature, and the fine arts. In 1875 the building was renamed The Munster Hall before finally receiving its current title of Cork Opera House in 1877 following extensive reconstruction and development.

Step behind the curtain and learn all about the historic highlights at Cork Opera House. From the icons who performed on our stage to the tragic fire in 1955, you will not want to miss this Heritage Day experience.


BOOKING FOR THIS EVENT IS ESSENTIAL – THERE WILL BE NO CAPACITY FOR WALK-UPS ON THE DAY.

Some areas of our building have restricted access. If you have accessibility requirements, please contact our Box Office on 021 – 4270022 or boxoffice@corkoperahouse.ie to book this tour.

Abba Forever!

It’s always party time when ABBA Forever comes to town, but when it’s the Christmas Show, then that’s a real excuse to let your hair down! This happy sing-a-long event is pure escapism. Celebrating ABBA with a loud and proud production and terrific audio visuals, ABBA Forever is the perfect way to start your Christmas celebrations!

From ‘Waterloo’ to ‘Dancing Queen’, expect a dazzling, fantastic performance including the most iconic hits – ‘Mamma Mia’, ‘S.O.S’, ‘Money, Money Money’, ‘The Winner Takes All’, ‘Gimme Gimme, Gimme!’ and many many more! You’ll be rockin’ in the aisles!


SPECIAL EFFECTS: This production may contain Strobe Lighting, Flashing Lights, Smoke and Haze.

AGE GUIDANCE: Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult

*Performance schedule and times are subject to change and may be affected by illness or events beyond the producers’ or venues’ control. Performers, dates, times, prices, and fees are subject to change without notice.

Cork Opera House and Masters of Tradition present Martin Hayes with Cormac McCarthy & Special Guests

As part of Cork Opera House’s 170th anniversary celebrations, we are delighted to welcome the world renowned fiddle player, Martin Hayes to curate a very special evening of music that shines a spotlight on Cork’s deep and dynamic traditional music heritage.

In collaboration with Masters of Tradition – the internationally renowned Bantry-based festival where Hayes serves as Artistic Director – this one-night-only event will be a singular celebration of Irish traditional music, curated through the unique vision of one of its greatest living exponents.

Martin Hayes, known for his soulful and transcendent fiddle playing, will lead an evening that blends orchestral grandeur with the intimacy and authenticity of traditional session music. The Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra, under the baton of conductor Tom Crowley, will be joined on stage by Hayes’ long-time collaborator, the acclaimed pianist, composer, and arranger Cormac McCarthy. They will be accompanied by special guests drawn from Cork’s incredible pool of traditional musicians, all renowned for their connection to Cork and contribution to the city’s cultural tapestry.

Through original arrangements and special performances, this concert will celebrate Cork not only as a city steeped in musical history, but also as a vibrant hub of living tradition. Join us for an unforgettable evening that honours the past, celebrates the present, and signals toward the future of Irish traditional music.


SPECIAL EFFECTS: This production may contain Strobe Lighting, Flashing Lights, Smoke and Haze.

AGE GUIDANCE: Under 16’s must be accompanied by and seated next to a parent/guardian aged 18+

*Performance schedule and times are subject to change and may be affected by illness or events beyond the producers’ or venues’ control. Performers, dates, times, prices, and fees are subject to change without notice.

Onóir

Contemporary Irish folk group Onóir formed in 2020, when Donegal musicians; Tom McHugh, Declan Gaughan, Deane Connaghan, and Diarmaid McGee, joined forces to create a contemporary version of the famous Irish folk ballad; “The Auld Triangle”, the video went on to be seen by over 3 million people worldwide. These talented musicians with distinctive vocal styles are setting new standards with incredible musical arrangements and harmonies that mark them out as unique. Their debut album was released in March of 2024.

Onóir are getting ready to blow your mind… This is a night not to be missed. As they put their unique stamp on the timeless ballads and folk songs that we all love. But be prepared for a few pleasant surprises as they delve into americana, heart rending soul and a little bit of country. In addition to top quality vocals there’s going to be some fun and laughter along the way.   

Onóir are selling out venues in record time as their impassioned audiences are taken on a musical odyssey. From their new take on traditional Irish songs all the way through to, up tempo modern Irish classics. From tears to laughter, enjoy the onstage chemistry, excitement, and banter in a show that you will remember for a long, long time. 


SPECIAL EFFECTS: This production may contain Strobe Lighting, Flashing Lights, Smoke and Haze.

AGE GUIDANCE: Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult

*Performance schedule and times are subject to change and may be affected by illness or events beyond the producers’ or venues’ control. Performers, dates, times, prices, and fees are subject to change without notice.

Karen Underwood – To All The Men I’ve Loved Before

Karen Underwood returns to the Cork Guinness Jazz Festival in the Cork Opera House Green Room celebrating the men that she has loved from birth until today. To All The Men I’ve Loved Before is a tribute to the men and the music who have shaped her life.

“I had a father who loved me, who worked hard and who sang when he could have cried. He gave me the gift of music. In that music there are so many stories that I can’t wait to share with you. He was the first man that I loved. My dad also taught me how I should be loved.”

Karen is a compelling storyteller and If you love the music of Sammy Davis, Bob Dylan, Nat King Cole, Luther Vandross, George Benson, Gregory Porter, Stevie Wonder and many more book your ticket now to avoid disappointment. Join Karen and her and her friends, Gary Beecher (piano), Davy Ryan (drums), David Whitla (bass) and Eoghan Regan (guitar) for a night to remember.


SPECIAL EFFECTS: This production may contain Strobe Lightning, Flashing Lights, Smoke and Haze.

AGE GUIDANCE: Strictly 18+

*Performance schedule and times are subject to change and may be affected by illness or events beyond the producers’ or venues’ control. Performers, dates, times, prices, and fees are subject to change without notice.