Bealtaine Festival 2025

Bealtaine is the national celebration of arts and creativity as we age, which takes place each May. Cork County Council has launched its Bealtaine programme, featuring a selection of free events in libraries across the county. This programme is supported by the Arts Council and Creative Ireland.

Storytelling Workshops with Terri Ryan

Storyteller and author Terri Ryan will facilitate a series of storytelling workshops in which participants will distil and connect with their own stories, develop the skills and techniques of telling stories, and discover their own true Seanchaí (storyteller)!

No prior experience is required to participate in these workshops, but please ensure you can attend on both dates before making an enquiry. Booking is essential: you will find branch contact details below or call in and speak to a member of library staff.

Bandon Library

  • Tuesday May 13th from 2:30pm - 4:30pm
  • Tuesday May 27th from 2:30pm - 4:30pm

To book your place contact Bandon Library at (023) 8844830 or bandon.library@corkcoco.ie

Kinsale Library

  • Wednesday May 13th from 2:00pm - 4:00pm
  • Wednesday May 28th from 2:00pm - 4:00pm

To book your place contact Kinsale Library at (021) 4774266 or kinsale.library@corkcoco.ie

Midleton Library

  • Thursday May 15th from 11:00am - 1:00pm
  • Thursday May 29th from 11:00am - 1:00pm

To book your place contact Midleton Library at (021) 4613929 or midleton.library@corkcoco.ie

Mitchelstown Library

  • Tuesday May 6th from 3:00pm - 5:00pm
  • Tuesday May 20th from 3:00pm - 5:00pm

To book your place contact Mitchelstown Library at (025) 41939 or mitchelstown.library@corkcoco.ie

Skibbereen Library

  • Thursday May 8th from 11:00am - 1:00pm
  • Thursday May 22nd from 11:00am - 1:00pm

To book your place contact Skibbereen Library at (028) 22400 or skibbereen.library@corkcoco.ie

Youghal Library

  • Friday May 9th from 11:00am - 1:00pm
  • Friday May 23rd from 11:00am - 1:00pm

To book your place contact Youghal Library at (024) 93459 or youghal.library@corkcoco.ie

Japanese Painting Workshops at Youghal Library

Join artist In-Seun Kim on this four-part workshop as she takes you on a meditative journey exploring the beauty of traditional Japanese watercolour painting with a modern twist!

  • Workshop 1: Tuesday May 13th from 2:00pm - 3.30pm
  • Workshop 2: Tuesday May 20th from 2:00pm - 3.30pm
  • Workshop 3: Tuesday May 27th from 2:00pm - 3.30pm
  • Workshop 4: Tuesday June 3rd from 2:00pm - 3.30pm

These workshops are suitable for beginners, and all art materials will be provided.

Booking is essential as there are limited spaces available, and participants must be able to attend all four workshops.

To book your place contact Youghal Library at (024) 93459 or youghal.library@corkcoco.ie

You can also book by speaking to a staff member at the library desk.

Arts & Crafts Workshop at Millstreet Library

Artist Amanda Wright will facilitate a free arts and crafts workshop in Millstreet Library on 

Friday 16th May at 11:00am

To book your place contact Millstreet Library at (029) 21920 or millstreet.library@corkcoco.ie

You can also book by speaking to a staff member at the library desk.

Art & Mindfulness Workshops at Castletownbere Library

Artist Sinéad Cullen will lead a series of four workshops in drawing, painting and mindfulness in Castletownbere Library. Each week, participants will be encouraged to learn new skills and explore their creativity using natural materials provided by the artist.

  • Workshop 1: Friday May 9th from 2:30pm - 4:00pm
  • Workshop 2: Friday May 16th from 2:30pm - 4:00pm
  • Workshop 3: Friday May 23rd from 2:30pm - 4:00pm
  • Workshop 4: Friday June 30th from 2:30pm - 4:00pm

Booking is essential as there are limited spaces available, and participants must be able to attend all four workshops.

To book your place contact Castletownbere Library at (027) 70233 or castletownbere.library@corkcoco.ie

You can also book by speaking to a staff member at the library desk.

Stories from the Blackwater Catchment at Fermoy Library

Stories from the Blackwater Catchment is a Creative Communities project which brings together Elders for Cluain Dara daycare centre and young people from the neighbouring Coláiste an Chraoibhín. 

Participants have been sharing stories and questions about the river Blackwater and what it means to live within its catchment area. Artist Julie Forrester has been working with the groups since Autumn 2024, stirring up river relations, co-creating and collecting imagery that has been conjured up by this engagement, and is bringing this collection to Fermoy Library for Bealtaine throughout the month of May.

Visitors are invited to come see, hear and contribute to this collection. Members of Cluain Dara and Coláiste an Chraoibhín will be dropping by to share their stories and thoughts about the project. 

Julie Forrester will be hosting free creative drop-in sessions in Fermoy Library on the following dates:

  • Thursday 8th May from 10:00am - 1:00pm
  • Thursday 15th May from 10:00am - 1:00pm
  • Thursday 22nd May from 10:00am - 1:00pm
  • Thursday 29th May from 10:00am - 1:00pm

No booking is required for these drop-in sessions, and all are welcome to attend!