Good morning, Cork! Catch up on the latest happenings in Cork: new businesses, essential funding, and must-see events this weekend.


In today’s Cork Current:

Let’s get to it!

Cork is getting a serious shot in the arm for housing. The government's new €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund has approved €60 million for four Cork projects — in Tower, Wilton, Carrigtwohill, and Waterrock — that together could unlock land for over 11,000 new homes.

The money goes into the infrastructure that makes sites buildable: road upgrades, footpaths, bridges, sewers. The stuff that sounds boring but is the reason housing doesn't get built without it. A welcome step toward actually fixing the ongoing housing problem! (Read More)

Sad news for the city centre — Fifth Quarter, the food truck plaza on Paul Street square, is closing this Friday, June 19th. The closure follows complaints about pedestrian access and negotiations with Cork City Council. The team behind it have been gracious about it, thanking everyone who visited.

The team say they're not done and hope to bring something new to the space. For now, get down before Friday if you want one last visit. (Read More)

Country music sensation Zach Bryan is hitting Pairc Ui Chaoimh for two sold-out shows this weekend, expecting a massive crowd of 90,000 fans! If you haven't got tickets yet, resale options are still floating around on Ticketmaster if you want to chance it.

Gates open at 5 pm, with support acts Fey Fili and Dijon taking the stage before Zach Bryan himself. Set times are subject to change, but expect him around 7:30 pm. It's an outdoor gig, so keep an eye on the forecast and dress accordingly – comfy boots and maybe a cowboy hat are highly recommended! (Read More)

Cork County Council is getting €9.2 million to retrofit 230 social homes this year — the largest allocation from a €140 million national fund.

The work covers insulation, heating upgrades, and energy efficiency improvements that lower bills and make homes warmer. Good news for tenants and good news for local tradespeople doing the work! (Read More)

Carrigaline's community playground has closed this week for a three to four week refurbishment — and from the final drawings, it's going to be well worth the wait! Years of planning and fundraising from the local Playground Committee finally coming to fruition. Keep an eye on their Instagram for progress updates.

Seacliff started as a Famine cottage on the cliffs above Guileen — the original front wall is still standing; everything else was rebuilt by architect Paul Higgisson, who kept the cottage character while transforming the interior. Rear wall knocked, ceiling raised, three Velux skylights funnelling light down into the kitchen, a wood-burning stove anchoring the open-plan living area, and a rooftop suntrap terrace added off the first-floor bedroom.

The views from both stretch across Guileen's coastline to Roches Point and Cork Harbour. Stroll down to the pier where the annual Blessing of the Boats takes place, or head the other way to The Sandies cove, where the skeleton of a 19th-century shipwreck is still embedded in the rocks. B1 BER — likely qualifies for green mortgage rates.

Click here: To view the full house

Luna, the coffee and wine bar that's built a loyal following in Killarney since 2022, is opening on Academy Street in Cork city this summer.

The sibling duo behind it are bringing specialty coffee sourced from West Cork, house-baked pastries, focaccia sandwiches, and a natural wine list — by the glass or bottle. Aiming for an end-of-July opening. A good one to watch! (Read More)

There's a Summer Solstice Fair this weekend with tarot readings, vintage stalls, and coffee. Worth a look if you're not at Zach Bryan — or before you head in. (Read More)

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things I thought you should know. I'll always let you know if something's sponsored.

Today: 🌧️ 17°/15°
Friday: 🌧️ 19°/10°
Saturday: 🌤️ 18°/10°
Sunday: 🌧️ 17°/14°

I recently put together a 54-page digital guide to 52 standout places to eat across Cork City and County — from neighbourhood spots to Michelin-starred tasting menus. If you haven't picked it up yet, it's the best way to support the newsletter while getting something useful in return.

Over 60 of you have already picked it up, thank you! It helps keep the newsletter going and I hope you’ve found it useful.

Thank you as always for reading!

— Ben 🙂

🌞 Cork Summer Show
Cork Showgrounds, Curraheen | June 20 - June 21 | More Info

🤠 Zach Bryan - with Heaven On Tour
Páirc Uí Chaoimh | June 20 - June 24 | Tickets

🎨 Cork Midsummer Festival
Cork City | June 12 - June 21 | More Info

🎭 Constellations
Cork Arts Theatre | June 16 - June 20 | More Info

🎭 Pool (No Water) by Mark Ravenhill
The Everyman | June 12 - June 27 | Tickets

🎭 1975 / Naoi Déag Seachtó Cúig – Teaċ Daṁsa
Cork Opera House | June 18 - June 20 | Tickets

🎻 The Lee Sessions Trad Trail
Multiple Locations, Dates and Times | More Info

😂 The Best Of Cork Summer Series
City Limits | 20:30

🎪 St Peters Arts Night
St. Peters Cork, North Main Street | 19:30

💘 Date My Mate
Kino Events House | 19:00

😂 Stand-up Comedy Club: Earlier Show
The Roundy | 18:30

😂 Al Porter: Algorithm
Cyprus Avenue | 19:00 | Tickets

🚴 Social Cycle along Cork Harbour Greenway
Cork Marina Market | 2pm

🎖️ Bere Island Military Festival
Drill Hall, Rerrin, Bere Island | 11:30am

😂 Stand-up Comedy Club: Primetime Comedy Show
The Roundy | 20:30

😂 The Best Of Cork Summer Series
City Limits | 20:30

🌙 Stand-up Comedy After Dark - Late Show
The Roundy | 20:30

😂 Al Porter: Algorithm
Sea Church | 19:00

🏃 Breast Cancer Research 5km Fun Run
Dock Bar, Kinsale | 8am

🍽️ Féasta
Patrick's Street | 11am–7pm

🎤 Bell X1
Live At The Marquee | 18:00 | Tickets

🎤 Kodaline
Virgin Media Park | 17:00 | Tickets

🎻 megaTrad
Levis Corner House | 20:00

🎻 The Turfmen
Sea Church | 19:30

🎶 Ger Ahern
Seventy Seven | 22:00

🎸 The Long Shots
The Poor Relation | 22:0

🎻 Show Ponies
The Roundy | 19:30

🎸 The Gallivanters
Dwyers Of Cork | 22:00

🎻 Brian O'Glanby
The Woodford | 22:30

🎸 Cathal Fitz
Arty's Bar | 22:00

🎻 The Flames
Canty's | 22:00

🎤 CMAT
Virgin Media Park | 17:00 | Tickets

🎷 Shuteen Erdenebaatar Quartet
Triskel Arts Centre | 20:00 | Tickets

🎸 George Houston
Levis Corner House | 20:00

🎸 John Blek
Sea Church | 20:00

🎸 Ricky Lynch & The Lynch Mob
Coughlan's | 22:00

🎹 Cork City Organ Group
The Poor Relation | 22:00

🎸 Stitch Fred
Zeppelins, Parliament St | 21:00

🎸 Va Va Voom!
Crane Lane Theatre | 21:00

🎸 Flake The Gander
Dwyers Of Cork | 22:00

🎸 Hot Blooded Animals
Canty's | 22:00

🎻 Fingerprints: Cork Midsummer Festival
Triskel Arts Centre | 14:00 & 19:00 | Tickets

🎷 Brewhouse Jazz
Franciscan Well Brew Pub, North Mall | 18:30

🎶 Mick Grace Duo
Seventy Seven, 77 Grand Parade | 18:00

🎸 Paul Tiernan
Levis Corner House | 19:30

🎻 Trad Session
Old Oak | 19:00

🎸 James Elwood
Arty's Bar | 20:00

🎸 Blues Jam (Players Welcome) - House Band: Sanarblan Slim Jims
The Poor Relation | 20:00

🎸 Bermuda County Council
Dwyers Of Cork | 21:30

🎸 Souldriven
Crane Lane Theatre | 23:30

That's it for today Cork, thanks for reading! Have a lovely weekend and let’s chat again on Tuesday!

Thanks!

- Ben