Great line-up for festival on West Cork island

Garnish Island in Glengarriff will once again come alive this weekend, with the sights and sounds of The Island Drift, now in its third year.

A full programme featuring renowned writers, poets, musicians, and cultural creatives is offered, including Susan O’Neill in concert, The Blindboy Podcast live, Declan O’Rourke, author Kevin Barry, poet Victoria Kennefick, plus Grub Circus with Joe McNamee, musical walking tours, and more. Something for everyone!

Take the ferry from Glengarriff Pier. Get all the info on https://theislanddrift.com/.

At City Limits Comedy Club tomorrow and Saturday night, hosts Paul Crowley and Micheal Roche introduce Byron Murphy, Mark O’Keeffe (just back from Edinburgh ) and award-winning Chris McShane. Doors 8pm, show 8.45pm.

Tickets available at the front door on the night, in advance at www.tickets.ie, or to hold places, email tickets@thecomedyclub.ie.

Next week sees Sounds From A Safe Harbour celebrating its 10th anniversary in our beloved city, with an immersive world of music, language, art, and ritual.

This year’s edition is curated by Festival Director Mary Hickson, alongside actor Cillian Murphy, composer Bryce Dessner (The National), author Max Porter, and folklorist Billy MagFhloinn.

Alongside a diverse line-up of ticketed events, audiences can explore a free citywide music trail, a vibrant visual art offering, artist talks, culinary experiences, and a newly-expanded film programme that includes three premieres and a series of music-focused documentaries and conversations.

Be warned: with several events already sold out, early booking is strongly recommended. Full programme information and tickets can be found at soundsfromasafeharbour.com.

At The Everyman, tomorrow and Saturday night, The Secrets of Primrose Square, an adaptation by Pat Moylan Productions of Claudia Carroll’s best-selling novel.

Enter a world that is a blend of The Valley of the Squinting Windows and The Good Life. All human life is here: love and heartbreak, tragedy and loss, sex, lies - not forgetting outdoor Pilates classes followed by chai lattes to go! Great theatre. 8pm start, no interval.

On Sunday night, there is a welcome opportunity to see The Glen Theatre in Banteer Drama Group’s production of Roger’s Final Farewell. Written by the late Seán Buckley of Ballydesmond, and directed by Tadhg O’Keeffe, it introduces us to a household mourning the death of its patriarch, then facing revelations about his life. 7.30pm start. www.everymancork.com or 021 450 1673.

Montfort College of Performing Arts is pulling out all the stops this time with Legally Blonde – The Musical at the Opera House from tomorrow until Sunday. Lots of special effects, under 16s should be accompanied by an adult. Friday and Saturday, 7pm, Saturday and Sunday, 2pm. ‘Twill be packed out!

The Martin Hayes concert next Wednesday, September 10, is sold out, as is Remembering Talos next Thursday, both part of the Sounds from a Safe Harbour festival, but there are still some tickets for other SFSH events. 021 427 0022 or www.corkoperahouse.ie.

Finally, don’t forget that Friday, September 19 is Cork Culture Night, with so many events going on all over the place, during the day as well as the night. Cian

Sweeney will be giving A Piano Meditation in the concert hall at City Hall, while the Millennium Hall hosts a fun show, Squish, Stomp, Spin. Kaught at the Karpark in North Main Street will celebrate Cork’s late ’70s/early ’80s punk and post-punk scene, while city libraries and community hubs are arranging talks, food demos, music, dance – you name it.

And that’s just the city – more across the county! see www.CorkCity.ie/CultureNight or https://culturenightcorkcounty.ie/