It’s known as a wintertime festival of lights.

And this year, Cork’s Jewish Community is inviting the public to join them at a candlelit Chanukah celebration in City Hall.

The event, arranged by the City Council, will see the Lord Mayor of Cork in attendance on Wednesday,  December 21st at 4.30pm.

“This will be the fourth night of the festival, and there will be some traditional Chanukah snacks and music.” a spokesperson for the organisers told us.

It’s been a positive year for the community in Cork, as members returned to the gatherings and services that were canceled during the pandemic.

“This year, we have been meeting for services and festivals in person, shaking hands, dancing, praying, singing, and, of course, eating together. No Jewish event can be complete without food!

“We have celebrated Shavuot, Rosh Hashana, Succot, and have had our first in-person Shabbat morning service – in fact, the first Jewish Saturday morning service in Cork city since the synagogue on South Terrace closed some years ago.

“Some of our events are religious, others cultural, or a mix, and always with new families, some hailing from as far as Turkey, South Africa, Ukraine, America, Kinsale!”

The annual Evening Echo exhibit (the lighting of the ninth lamp in Shalom Park on the eighth night) will take place on Christmas Day this year, as that is the eighth night of Chanukah. Anyone out for a stroll in Shalom Park on Christmas Day evening can see the lamp light up at around 4.30pm.

Space at the Chanukah event at City Hall is limited, so it’s first come first served on the day – you can email info@corkjewishcommunity.ie for more information.