Skib’s Arts Festival has Kyla Cobbler, Goodfellas AND a 90s Street Party
It’s a helluva time for a spin to Skib’.
Skibbereen Arts Festival is back for 2025 and this summer they’ve truly got a special treat for everyone with a feast of fun planned from July 25th to August 3rd.
Dr Feelgood and The Electric Mayhem will lead the famous annual street party this year on Friday, July 25th, with a Nevermind the 90’s theme.
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Bridge Street will be closed to traffic from 7pm and there’ll be interactive challenges and games for all ages, plus live music, food trucks and live graffiti installations. Fancy dress is encouraged so go all out if you want to win a prize.
‘Friends, food, records, sunshine…’
Cork comedian Kyla Cobbler, one of the fastest-rising names in comedy, is taking time out from her globetrotting schedule to return to one of her favourite places in the world. Kyla takes the stage for a sold-out show at Skibbereen Town Hall on August 1st.
On August 2nd and 3rd, Skibbereen Block Party, organised in n association with Ár n-Áit and Backwards, will be hosting two days in the alley on Levis Quay, promising “a big sound system. Friends, food, records, sunshine (hopefully), and the kind of feeling that reminds you why you love small towns.”
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The soundtrack will be provided by Frawl, Shane Breen, Ricky Chong, Pablo (Fatty Fatty), Stevie G, Sonny Emerald (Not How When), and Dave Moloney, with food trucks, family-friendly energy, and dancing in daylight.
Tickets are €10 for early birds (limited, for either day). €20 weekend early birds (only 20 available. €15 general admission (per day).
Drop-in Portraits
Drop by Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre on July 26th from 10am for a free, fun, informal morning of painting and drawing.
“Come with a friend and paint each other, try a self-portrait, or sketch one of our friendly volunteers. No experience needed and all materials are provided.” they announced.
Finished artworks will be exhibited in the town centre throughout the festival.
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Magic for little locals
There’s plenty happening for kids of all ages throughout the Festival this year. CaBubble (July 25th, 11am) is a magical, multi-sensory play experience designed especially for babies under 12 months and their grown-ups, led by two BEAG artists – Niamh Geoghegan and Nathalia Marques.
There’s also a Family Song Circle at Skibbereen Community and Family Resource Centre, a free Playful Percussion class, and a Leaves and Lore Workshop for kids aged between six and 12.
Check out all the kids’ events here.
Books and photos galore
Readers and photography fans will be flitting between atmospheric venues in Skibbereen throughout the festival, as Theo Dorgan chats about his insightful new novel, Camarade on Thursday, July 31st in Inanna Rare Books (a bookshop set in a former Masonic Hall).
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Acclaimed Cork writer Thomas McCarthy reads from his latest book of essays, Questioning Ireland, on August 1st. Tickets for that one are €10 here.
And on August 3rd at the same magical venue, legendary photographer John Minihan will be on hand to take you on a time-travelling journey to his beginnings and his fateful meeting with Samuel Beckett and other writers and artists.Tickets for Beckett and the Wake are available now here.
Goodfellas in the park
On Sunday, August 3rd, film fans are invited to bring a folding chair or a cosy blanket to O’Donovan Rossa Park for a screening of the gangster classic Goodfellas.
The show will be accompanied by live music, with pizzas available to purchase and a full bar service from 8pm. The film starts at 9pm and tickets are a tenner here.
