There’s a bunch of gorgeous free arts workshops happening in Cork libraries this May
Spring is a perfect time to try something new.
And this year, you can try your hand at crafting, crime writing, poetry, foraging, puppetry, photography and music, thanks to a series of free library workshops happening across Cork as part of Bealtaine Festival.
Free workshops are available throughout the month of May in all Cork County Libraries.
Events on the West Cork Islands include a Forage walk and workshop on Sherkin Island in association with the Sherkin Library, with Samuel Arnold Keane on May 8th, where participants will walk out with the tide, discover duileasc, sleabhac and kelps and explore ancestral stories and contemporary uses for seaweed.
Photo: Samuel Arnold Keane
In Oileán Chléire Library on May 14th, participants can experience one of the oldest forms of string puppetry. The wooden carved characters of dancers, magicians and jugglers depict the Mughal palaces of North India from over 600 years ago. Attendees can participate or simply watch and enjoy.
Find your voice and tell your story
Writing workshops range from crime fiction sessions in Charleville and Mitchelstown Libraries with award-winning novelist Casey King (Marie O’Halloran), to Stories Among Friends in Mallow and Fermoy, helping participants find their voice across memoir, short stories and poetry. In Carrigaline, David McLoghlin leads a life-writing workshop exploring memory and personal storytelling, while Laura O’Mahony in Newmarket focuses on character, structure and bringing ideas to life on the page.
View this post on Instagram
On the visual arts side, workshops include dreamcatcher weaving with Julie Forrester in Macroom, Millstreet and Skibbereen, a vibrant ceramics and mixed-media session with Áine Farrell in Cobh, and the chance to create your own artwork with West Cork artist Deirdre Crowley in Bandon.
Wet felting workshops with visual artist Catherine Callanan in Midleton and Youghal Libraries will guide participants through creating a unique felted landscape piece, while a Drawing Workshop with Fiona Boniwell in Kanturk Library introduces practical warm‑up techniques for drawing and relaxed contour drawing.
A hands‑on Smartphone Photography Workshop with photographer Chris Finnegan takes place in Clonakilty Library, introducing lighting, composition and styling for professional‑looking images, while music workshops will also take place across libraries with Kevin McNally and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
Want to go along? Participants should contact their library by phone, email or in-person to book a place at any event.
