Lee's The One
Every year, Hot Press devotes an issue to celebrating the city of Cork. Why? Because it’s great, like. Without further ado, here’s our humble guide to some of the best music venues, festivals and cultural hotspots the Rebel County has to offer.
Celina Murphy, 11 Jun 2012
Inhabitants of the People’s Republic have a great many reasons to be smug these days. Not only has their beloved city become an international favourite among the travel nerds at Lonely Planet, but it’s fast becoming the most desirable holiday spot in the country, with attractions like the English Market and the bustling Jewish quarter charming the pants off of trendy adventurers from all corners of the globe.
Cork is also home to one of the most easily-imitatable accents in the world, but that one’s not such a big hit with the locals (sorry, lads!) What’s really got our hearts all aflutter of late is the sheer volume of exceptional music pumping out of the Rebel County, helped along by what must be a record number of outdoor music festivals and fueled by the choon-thirsty Corkonian spirit. With new acts springing up every other week and enough venues, clubs and creatives (music video factory Feel Good Lost Films in particular springs to mind) to keep them very busy indeed, there’s never been a more tempting time to hop on the train and head South.
In terms of gigs, the Summer of 2012 looks to be Cork’s busiest yet, with Live At The Marquee boasting its usual stellar line-up, plus footie fun to boot; T With The Maggies, Julie Felix, Mundy and Gemma Hayes among the Cork Folk Festival star turns and boutique newcomer The Island Jam welcoming the likes of Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Eric Bell, Royseven and The Republic Of Loose. And that’s just the music. Cork city is home to some of the quaintest pubs, quirkiest stores and most drool-worthy restaurants on the entire island, so if you do find yourself heading towards the Lee for a show, there’s lots to get up to!
We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite spots, but we figured the only way to really do the place justice was to also draft in a native for a guide to the sights and sounds of the city – Toby Kaar’s fascinating virtual tour appears overpage. Elsewhere in the issue, you’ll find our dummy-proof 12-Step guide to Cork, an interview with RedFM DJ Victor Barry, Bill O’Herlihy in the Mad Hatter’s Box and a run-down of some of the most exciting new acts emerging from the city’s lively music scene.
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